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.

JETER DROPS THE BALL AS CAPTAIN  —  These have not been questions about his relationship with Jessica Biel or Mariah Carey or whatever starlet of the moment Derek Jeter was romancing.  —  When it comes to that, Jeter is right.  His off-the-field associations have nothing to do with on-the-field results.

Jimmy Rollins reiterates: Phillies will win NL East  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - He said it.  He meant it.  —  So Jimmy Rollins repeated his proclamation, saying Tuesday that the Phillies - a team that hasn't made the postseason since 1993 - is the team to beat in the National League East.

'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 …

Owners will wait and see on Schill  —  FORT MYERS - Curt Schilling [stats] said he plans to file for free agency after the season if he doesn't receive a contract extension before the end of spring training but it appears the Red Sox [team stats] are not in a hurry to give him one.

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.

Baker transforms himself into ultimate utility player  —  TUCSON - Jeff Baker was a concern for the Rockies last year.  He was headed into the final year of a four-year, major league contract he signed with them when he came out of Clemson.  The first three seasons had created more questions than answers.

Padilla Says He Still Has Something Up His Sleeve  —  As Juan Padilla closed his eyes and turned away, Jorge Sosa showed a crowd of onlookers his card — the two of diamonds — before he shoved it into the bottom of the deck.  Padilla shuffled the cards with a little too much force, and most of them crashed to the ground.

Top 10 Spring Training position battles  —  Pitchers and catchers have arrived in Arizona and Florida, position players are filtering in, and before you know it Cactus and Grapefruit League play will begin.  —  That means it's time to start thinking about spring training implications.

MLB's synthetic caps designed to wick away sweat  —  BUFFALO, N.Y. — 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.

Alou intent on returning to playoffs  —  At 40 years old, veteran outfielder not ready for retirement  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — As the Giants' 2006 season was winding down, Moises Alou began thinking seriously that it would be his final year as a Major Leaguer.

If at First He Doesn't Succeed . . .  Nats' Broadway Knows He May Not Get Another Chance Like This One  —  The kids behind the chain-link fence squealed early Tuesday afternoon as the object of their affection approached: "He's right there!  He's right there!"

Green tries to adjust  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Shawn Green believes he's found the source of his power drain.  The right fielder, who hit a combined 30 homers during the past two seasons, less than a third of the 91 he totaled in 2001 and '02, said he detected - and corrected - a glitch in his swing.

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 …

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.