Blue Jays close to locking up OF Rios  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this  —  Just over a year ago, the Blue Jays signed center fielder Vernon Wells through 2014.

Baseball Season Preview: Boston Red Sox  —  For the third consecutive season, we are proud to introduce the Deadspin Baseball Season Previews.  Yes, baseball is awfully close now; heck, they're playing real games in Japan tomorrow.  —  Every weekday until the start of the season, a different writer will preview his/her team.

Yankees reach 3.8 million tickets sold for the 2008 season; Marks record pace in final season at current Yankee Stadium  —  The Yankees announced today they have exceeded 3.8 million tickets sold for the 2008 season, marking the earliest the club has ever reached that level.

Pettitte's back throwing wrench in plans  —  Yankees have options on table if lefty can't start season on time  —  TAMPA, Fla. — While Andy Pettitte settles for simply playing catch, the Yankees are preparing contingency plans in case their projected No. 2 starter is not available to make his first appearance of the season.

Gibbons could start season at minor league camp  —  O's leaning toward sending him to play in instructional league during 15-day suspension  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Orioles are leaning toward sending Jay Gibbons to the minor league camp to play in the instructional league while he serves …

Harper: A-Rod regrets saying no to Mets  —  During spring training, Alex Rodriguez has mostly avoided discussion of his messy contract opt-out and offseason return to the Yankees, but apparently only because he didn't want to say something that might prove controversial, as is often his habit.

Marquis in, Lieber to bullpen, Wood to close  —  MESA, Ariz. — Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis survived the three-way pitching duel to become Cubs starters, while Kerry Wood was officially named closer on Monday.  —  Dempster will pitch in the No. 3 spot.  Marquis will become the fifth starter.

Giants infielder Frandsen injures Achilles tendon  —  San Francisco Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen ruptured his left Achilles tendon in a minor league game Monday and could miss the entire season.  —  Frandsen, who was expected to be a key utility infielder and perhaps start at times at second base …

Mets Commit to 5-Man Rotation, No Matter What  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Mets will not need a fifth starter until April 12.  The two candidates for that role, Orlando Hernández and Mike Pelfrey, imploded during their outings Sunday.  So, common sense says the Mets …

When he's not taking care of Nationals' NCAA pool, Lo Duca can't wait for opener  —  VIERA, Fla. (AP) -Paul Lo Duca spent a good chunk of his Monday meticulously updating the NCAA tournament pool charts hanging in the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium.  —  There he was in the morning …

Longoria Sent Down  —  Following today's game, the Rays reassigned top prospect 3B Evan Longoria to minor-league camp.  He will begin the season at Triple-A Durham.  —  Longoria said he wasn't necessarily surprised by the decision and “had a feeling” it might be coming.

Braves trades are brewing  —  Winter Haven, Fla. _ I've always told myself that one of these years I'd stop by Webb's Goat's Milk Fudge in Haines City on my drive over to a spring training game in Winter Haven.  —  I was wrong.  —  Unless it's open when I drive past it tonight on the way back …

Sources: Roberts-to-Cubs looking unlikely  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this  —  Barring an 11th-hour reversal, the Cubs will not trade for Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts …