Gibbons given lifeline through 2008  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — John Gibbons's status as a lame-duck manager didn't even last until position players reported here for spring training.  —  According to sources close to Gibbons and Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi …

Zambrano: Chance of agreement with Cubs '85 percent'  —  MESA, Ariz. — Carlos Zambrano said Monday he was "85 percent" sure he'd come to an agreement with the Cubs on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration.  —  "You'll see the news [Tuesday] morning, hopefully," Zambrano told reporters after Monday's workout at Fitch Park.

Big Unit says he still has the stuff to dominate  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Randy Johnson made the familiar trek down Interstate 10 from his Paradise Valley home and found his name on the same spring training locker he occupied during the best seasons of his extraordinary career.

A-Rod says he's not as close with Jeter as he was  —  TAMPA, Fla. — On the first day of his fourth season with the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez finally acknowledged his relationship with Derek Jeter has cooled.  —  After insisting for three years that they remained close, Rodriguez said it was …

Koskie yet to heal from concussion  —  Third baseman will miss spring training  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Phoenix - After weeks of uncertainty, the Milwaukee Brewers now know that third baseman Corey Koskie will not be physically ready to take part in spring training …

Baseball caps to have new feel  —  A pitcher stands on the mound in the August sun, tugging at the bill of his sweat-soaked cap, stained white with the salt of his labors.  —  That might be an image of the past if Major League Baseball's new caps work according to plan.

Pirates Notebook: Chacon has arthritis in knee  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Shawn Chacon freely allows that he will have to pitch through some pain in 2007.  —  Chacon, one of four starters vying for the lone vacancy in the rotation …

Fresh start for Milledge?  —  For the record, Lastings Milledge did show up early — position players were only required to let the Mets know they were in the neighborhood yesterday — and he did more than drop off equipment.  Milledge worked out with the handful of players already in camp …

Fogg, Kim trying to earn spots with Rox  —  Righties not assured of starting roles this time around  —  TUCSON — Rockies right-handed pitchers Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim had several sparkling performances and some inconsistencies in 2006.  It was good enough for them to stay in the rotation …

Mariners Notebook: Beltre looks bigger, but is he?  —  Third baseman says he's in shape for a fast start  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — To look at Adrian Beltre, you'd think he'd muscled up during the offseason.  —  His forearms are bigger.  His biceps are bigger.

Ledezma to get his shot  —  Left-hander can be slotted into several roles in 2007  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tigers aren't necessarily looking for Wilfredo Ledezma to emerge as the replacement for Jamie Walker.  They want him to focus on being Wilfredo Ledezma.

Around the Grapefruit League  —  New York Mets: Carlos Beltran wants to be on the run a lot more this season for the Mets.  —  Two years removed from stealing 42 bases, the All-Star outfielder intends to be more of a base-stealing threat after swiping just 18 a year ago.

With a Year in the Books, O's Mazzone Set for Next Chapter  —  After less than a month as the Baltimore Orioles' pitching coach, Leo Mazzone, on a spring whim, had a blue and white pennant tattooed on his left arm.  Inside the pennant were the words "14 Straight," a tribute …

NL West preview  —  CHICAGO STORY  —  CHRIS YOUNG, Diamondbacks  —  Center fielder with 30/30 combination of speed and power figures to haunt White Sox general manager Ken Williams, who traded him for Javier Vazquez.  He will be a regular at 23 this season and could have a Rookie of the Year season in him.

Mets sign catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a Minor League contract  —  The New York Mets today signed catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.  He is expected to join the team and be in uniform on Tuesday.  —  Alomar, 40, appeared in 27 games …

Spring flings mark Sox' first workout  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — There are a fleet of television trucks beached at the dead end of Edison Road.  First time ever.  There's also an electronic sign explaining that there's no place to park near the Red Sox minor league complex.