Zambrano, Cubs deftly avoid arbitration  —  Just before hearing, parties ink one-year, $12 million deal  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano reached agreement Tuesday on a one-year, $12 million contract and avoided arbitration.  —  The Cubs had hoped to settle before a 2 p.m. MST hearing at the Phoenix Hyatt.

'I had a mental breakdown'  —  Logan's rapid rise led to rocky start to big-league career  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Boone Logan's big-league season was spiraling downward even before he stepped on the mound last May 16 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  —  The loud thud heard over the next 1 2/3 innings …

Boone completes trip around the horn  —  JUPITER — The last time infielder Aaron Boone played first base, he was in the minor leagues.  That was more than 10 years ago.  —  On Tuesday, Boone started his 11th major-league season by going back to school for a first-base refresher.

Defiant Barry's back  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — His sixth swing of the day, of the year, produced a massive shot, a home run well over Scottsdale Stadium's wall in right-centerfield.  It might as well have been 2001 again.  —  With that, Barry Bonds exited the batting cage …

Marlins have shot at park  —  TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Marlins renewed their annual effort to get a second tax break from the state to help finance a new stadium, but for the first time in five years, the major league team has a chance of a promising finish.

MLB doffs wool caps, adopts synthetic material  —  BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - One question facing baseball this season: Will cooler heads prevail?  —  On opening day, the sport will doff the traditional wool cap in favor of a new polyester blend model designed to wick away sweat before it can stream down a player's face.

Former Mormon missionary bids for job as Marlins closer  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Matt Lindstrom must be the hardest-throwing, Swedish-speaking, former Mormon missionary in baseball.  —  It's a large leap from Stockholm to the big leagues, but Lindstrom has a shot at becoming the Florida Marlins' closer this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …

Notes: Eye surgery helping Peralta  —  Shortstop expects restored vision to benefit all aspects of game  —  WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Looking in to read catcher Victor Martinez's signs from his shortstop position, all Jhonny Peralta could see was a fuzzy blur.

Howard a positive thinker  —  Slugger says Bonds, McGwire, innocent until proven guilty  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - After an unprecedented ascension to superstardom in less than two full seasons, Ryan Howard has been advised by the likes of Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson and Cal Ripken Jr. to keep doing what he has done.

Notes: Alomar Jr. inks Minors deal  —  Veteran catcher could be third family member to play for club  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Sandy Alomar Sr. played with the Mets in briefly in 1964, Robbie Alomar had an uneven tenure with the Mets in 2002 and into 2003, and now a third Alomar …

Matsui not looking in past  —  Rockies prefer to see promise, not failure with Mets  —  TUCSON - The Rockies saw enough from Kaz Matsui in the final six weeks of last season that they are willing to ignore what he did in slightly more than two years with the New York Mets.

Jeter doesn't see relevance of A-Rod story  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Maintaining they have a fine relationship on the field and in the clubhouse, Derek Jeter resolutely refused to discuss the deterioration of his friendship with Alex Rodriguez away from the ballpark.