Sox Tend To Hedge Their Bets Better Than Yankees  —  Over the last four years, in all but one of which they've finished within three games of each other, the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have played each other 82 times.  These games have demonstrated, by their sheer, exhausting number …

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.

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.

Lohse agrees to one-year deal with Cards  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals moved to address their question-filled starting rotation Thursday by reaching agreement with free agent righthander Kyle Lohse on a one-year contract, pending Lohse passing a team physical Friday.  Terms were not disclosed.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Wilpon: Mets to host All-Star Game in near future  —  New York Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said Thursday he has been informed that commissioner Bud Selig soon will announce the Mets will host an All-Star Game in the near future.  —  “I'm assured by the commissioner …

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.

DOC AND SON TAKING RAP  —  BOTH NOW OUT OF PRISON, GOODEN HELPS JR. WITH MUSIC CAREER  —  The eyes are clear and the voice is steady.  No promises are made about tomorrow.  Dwight Gooden is trying his best to live for today.  —  “It ain't about me anymore; I'm living for my kids now,” …

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.”