Ordering up a trade  —  MESA, Ariz. — Alfonso Soriano says getting used to batting anywhere but leadoff will take time.  That's why he sees the logic in moving down in the Cubs' batting order now, rather than waiting for a Brian Roberts trade that isn't likely to get done until the final week of camp.

On the fast track?  Colon solid in debut  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bartolo Colon was hitting 94 miles per hour, throwing 92-93 consistently with his four-seam fastball, 84-88 with his slider, and 81 on his changeup, according to a scout's radar gun yesterday.  In his heyday, Colon could reach 100 m.p.h.

Girardi may be suspended for opener  —  TAMPA - For the first time in 13 years, the Yankees might be managed by someone not named Joe on Opening Day.  —  According to a baseball source, there is a possibility that both Joe Girardi and Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon could face suspensions …

Cards look to Lohse for help  —  JUPITER, FLA. — The Cardinals addressed an innings-short starting rotation Thursday by reaching agreement with durable free agent righthander Kyle Lohse on a one-year, $4.25 million contract, pending Lohse's passing a team physical this morning.

Mets' Pelfrey hasn't done enough to earn a spot  —  JUPITER, Fla. - Every time Orlando Hernandez takes a step toward being ready for Opening Day, Mike Pelfrey takes a step toward Triple-A.  —  The math is simple.  The Mets aren't going to take six starting pitchers to Miami when the season opens March 31.

Bill James, Ken Tremendous and Joe Posnanski  —  I was going to write about The Bill James Baseball Gold Mine for this column, but I have not had much time to read it.  I can tell you that Bill James is a funny guy and his Gold Mine contains very interesting things that one cannot find elsewhere.

For Crystal, a Strikeout and a Lasting Memory  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The most famous Yankee of all, at least for a day, traded autographed baseballs late Thursday afternoon with Paul Maholm, the Pittsburgh Pirates' left-hander who had struck him out in the first inning of an exhibition game at Legends Field.

Beltran boasts new level of happiness  —  Mets comment on change in center fielder after fatherhood  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The proclamation from Carlos Beltran that the Mets were the team to beat in the National League East raised eyebrows and perhaps the tenor of the Mets' relationship with the Phillies.

Doug....  In the 20 years since I was first called up to the big leagues I've played with exactly 2 players who's presence in the clubhouse carried onto the field.  Darren Daulton in Philadelphia, and Doug Mirabelli here in Boston.  —  Very few players have that ability …

Giants, White Sox differ on Crede's value  —  Source: Offer is much less than Williams is seeking  —  TUCSON, Ariz. - The difference in opinion over the value of Joe Crede is about as wide as the gap between the White Sox third baseman's 2006 Silver Slugger Award season and his .080 spring average.

Pena joins list of injured Nationals  —  Hill, Lo Duca, Mackowiak and Young all coming along  —  VIERA, Fla. — Add Nationals left fielder Wily Mo Pena to the injured list, while right-hander Shawn Hill, catcher Paul Lo Duca, outfielder Rob Mackowiak and first baseman Dmitri Young are showing improvement from their injuries.

Before getting to the latest batch of links, my apologies for the lack of content here this week.  My alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday in order to catch an early morning flight to New York, where I was met at John F. Kennedy International Airport by a woman from a car service who was holding a sign that read: “Mr. Gleeman.”

Young guns look ready to rock  —  Jimenez, Morales show signs their talented arms, games ready to go  —  TUCSON — Midway through the Cactus League season, Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales are quickening pulses at Hi Corbett Field.  —  The Rockies' promising 1-2 punch …

Rangers prospect is exhibit A  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Matt West said he doesn't know the name of the performance-enhancing drug he used that almost killed his baseball career.  He was taking nitric oxide and creatine and all the other standard supplements, and, poof, somehow his urine came back dirty.

ESPN MLB analyst Sutcliffe diagnosed with cancer  —  ESPN baseball analyst Rick Sutcliffe has been diagnosed with cancer.  —  Sutcliffe, 51, was diagnosed after a routine test during a physical revealed that he has a treatable and curable form of colon cancer.