Paps to the Pen  —  No it wasn't a rash decision brought about by uncertainty.  I can promise you there were many meetings involving many people that occurred before this took place.  —  Paps wanted to close because that's where he felt he helped the team best, but he had no issues or problems being a starter either.

Notes: Young gets back in the game  —  All-star shortstop sees first action since plunking  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Michael Young struck out but also threw out Vladimir Guerrero trying to score from first base on Garret Anderson's double.  —  That was it before a rainstorm delayed the Rangers' game …

National disaster  —  VIERA, Fla. - Sometimes there are those telephone conversations you wish took place face to face.  The person on the other end is so incredulous, so frustrated, so spitting angry that you know he is sporting a look - like the worst bitter-beer face known to man - words can't do justice.

All-Star McCann signs six-year deal with Braves  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves made a long-term commitment to Brian McCann, agreeing Thursday to a $26.8 million, six-year contract with the All-Star catcher.  —  The deal with McCann, who has less than two years of major league service, includes a club option for 2013.

Mirror Mirror  —  The death of former commissioner Bowie Kuhn caused a lot of reflection in baseball circles about his contributions (or lack thereof) to the sport.  Kuhn will always be linked in the minds of many to his foil—Marvin Miller, former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Schilling unfiltered  —  Ace pulls no punches in joining baseball blogosphere  —  More than any other sport, baseball has always produced great writing, but the immediacy of blogs are ideally suited to baseball's long season.  "This ain't football," Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver once said, "We do this every day."

Mariners Notebook: Sherrill reaches breaking point  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — By this time next week, the Mariners will have packed and left Arizona.  —  But there are still roster decisions to make.  —  The most difficult of those decisions might be put off until noon March 31 …

APR Spurs Proposal That Would Have Wide-Ranging Effects  —  Division I coaches were promised at January's American Baseball Coaches Association convention that big changes were on the way as a result of baseball's poor score in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate.  Two months later, it's clear that was more than just grandiose talk.

Podsednik enjoys flashback to '05  —  Leadoff man playing with confidence again after rough '06 season  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — While non-roster invitee Adam Russell has opened some eyes around White Sox spring camp, another late bloomer has created comparable excitement.