Nats sign Belliard to Minor League deal  —  Infielder hit .272 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 2006  —  VIERA, Fla. — Looking to strengthen their bench, protect themselves in case of an injury to starting shortstop Cristian Guzman and help themselves for the trade deadline …

Jones: I never asked for a trade  —  Outfielder wants to erase tumultuous '06 experience  —  MESA, Ariz. — Let's set the record straight: Jacque Jones did not ask to be traded from the Cubs.  —  "I never asked for a trade," Jones said Saturday.  "Was I uncomfortable with some things that happened?

Turnbow seeks to regain form in 2007  —  Former closer will serve as Brewers' setup man to Cordero  —  PHOENIX — Trivia tidbit: Brewers reliever Derrick Turnbow's full name is Thomas Durwood Derrick Turnbow.  The first two names are in honor of his mother's father, and while he still signs …

Baseball season means a trip to wondering land with Manny  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The first official workout for Red Sox pitchers and catchers is today.  Position players are scheduled to "report" Tuesday, and their first workout is supposed to be Thursday at the minor league complex …

Catcher Laird critical to Rangers  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The past three years, catcher Gerald Laird arrived at Rangers training camp with one question: "How can I make this team?"  —  This year, the question is slightly different: "How can I make this team better?"

Torre plans to call Williams again  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Bernie Williams wants a guarantee, not a maybe, so it appears he won't be with the New York Yankees when position players start workouts Tuesday.  —  Manager Joe Torre planned to call Williams again.  But catcher Jorge Posada thinks Williams …

Bedard glad he avoided arbitration  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // Had the Orioles not agreed to a one-year deal with pitcher Erik Bedard yesterday, the process would have played out Tuesday in a hotel conference room in Phoenix.  At the head of a long table, three arbitrators would have been seated …

Notes: Dodgers likely have order down  —  Rotation, top of lineup probably set but not yet made public  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Manager Grady Little wouldn't reveal specifics and hasn't notified the players affected, but he indicated that he's already decided in which order his starting rotation …

Team Report: Inside Pitch  —  Armando Benitez arrived early to spring training, admitting he failed the past two years and vowing for a better 2007.  —  Whether he'll pitch for the Giants will be determined.  —  If Benitez, 34, shows he's somewhat healthy (he has an arthritic right knee) …

Johnson clears up eyesight  —  The first baseman was recently diagnosed with double vision in his right eye, which could explain his hitting woes last season  —  PHOENIX - A little offseason tinkering may have helped Dan Johnson solve his hitting woes from 2006, and it didn't even involve picking up a bat.

Trouble you can love  —  In the first week of Spring Training 2007, here is what happened: A superstar issued a contractual ultimatum.  An older, veteran player questioned the commitment of a relatively younger one.  A general manager and manager stood on opposite ground regarding their team's position on a longtime dignitary.