Belliard-Quick Takes From February 21, 2007  —  Alot has happened today.  Opportunity came my way, and I am taking advantage of it.  So, my first post of the day will not be long.  Just the basics.  —  On a GORGEOUS 78 Degree Sunny Day, the second day of Full Day Workouts for Our Washington Nationals commenced.

Manny had scheduled personal appearance  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Manny Ramirez, who received permission from the Red Sox to report late to spring training for family reasons, was scheduled to attend a car auction in New Jersey on Saturday, according to the promoter of the auction.

SURLY SHEFF  —  GARY: TORRE TOOK FIRE OUT OF ME  —  The blaze in his belly has carried Gary Sheffield from the streets of Tampa to the doorsteps of Cooperstown.  Now, as he moved toward the first base line last October to be introduced with the reserves prior to Game 3 of the ALDS vs …

Notes: Yost picks spring's first starter  —  Vargas gets nod in Cactus kickoff, but who'll go Opening Day?  —  PHOENIX — Brewers manager Ned Yost on Wednesday named a starting pitcher for the team's first game, but it was not the opener most fans are interested in.

Floyd: Willie was confused  —  The ex-Met says Randolph wanted to bunt in Game 7, but bench coach talked him out of it.  —  In the annals of Mets disappointments, last Oct. 19 ranks near the top.  And within that crushing National League Championship Series Game 7 loss to the Cardinals, the bottom of the ninth hurts fans the most.

O's Benson tries to avoid shoulder surgery, opts for rehab  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson is making a final, desperate attempt to avoid surgery on his injured right shoulder with aggressive rehabilitation.

October in mind, Wagner adds pitch  —  Split-finger fastball designed to give Mets closer endurance  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — He was involved in the bunt coverage drills and made an impression with his seemingly effortless but powerful throws to bases.  Then, Ambiorix Burgos moved …

YOUNG MARTINEZ A REALLY BIG HIT  —  Fred Wipon was asked what he thought of Fernando Martinez after the Mets' 18-year-old super prospect took batting practice yesterday.  The principal owner replied, "Wow."  —  Martinez hit in a group at Tradition Field with fellow minor leaguers Carlos Gomez …

Clayton proud of his longevity  —  Shortstop credits wife for prolonging his baseball career  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Royce Clayton called it self evaluation.  Others might refer to it as resisting temptation.  —  In an era of bulging biceps, Clayton decided that his path to success wasn't via the home run.

Meet the Bench Players  —  Any thorough evaluation of baseball performance requires some sort of abstract "replacement level."  The idea is simple: a player's value is not measured by how much he produces, but by how much more he produces than the guy who would replace him in the lineup.

Carmona attempting to harness control  —  Young fireballer believes offseason work has solved issues  —  WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — You can hear the ball pop the catcher's mitt long before you see the side field where Fausto Carmona is throwing off the mound.  —  Sometimes sound can be deceiving …

Wood moving to third base  —  Position change could help the organization's top power prospect get to the majors faster.  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Speculation turned to reality Wednesday when the Angels began working shortstop Brandon Wood, the organization's best position-playing and power prospect …

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.