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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

Top 100 Prospects  —  In his first year at Baseball Prospectus, Kevin Goldstein combined his eye for talent, his broad network of sources and his unique blend of skills analysis and performance analysis to bring minor-league coverage to BP.  Now, he synthesizes that information into a complete ranking …

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.

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.

Ichiro may leave  —  M's star admits thinking about free agency  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Mariners icon Ichiro Suzuki admitted for the first time Tuesday that he might leave Seattle after the 2007 season.  —  Stopping far short of saying he wanted out, Ichiro said the idea of becoming a free agent …

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.

DELGADO BELIEVES  —  AFTER SURGERY, CARLOS CLAIMS HE'LL BE BETTER  —  Plenty of things Carlos Delgado did last year were terrific.  He was a major addition to the Mets' team and lineup, and acquiring him before last season was undoubtedly critical to their NL East crown.

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!"