‘Frustrated’ Chipper questions Braves' dealings with Smoltz  —  Third baseman says Smoltz was upset when they spoke on phone Wednesday … Q. How did you take all this?  —  A. I am disappointed.  Very disappointed.  Deflated.  Frustrated.  It's been a very long offseason …

Sox agree to terms with Baldelli, Smoltz  —  The rest of Red Sox roster is taking shape, with the club coming to terms today with a pair of well-known players who have battled injuries and health problems in recent seasons.  —  Shortly after the Red Sox formally announced they had agreed …

Hoffman, Brewers close in on deal  —  Career saves leader Trevor Hoffman is closing in on a deal with the Brewers.  —  A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the sides are near an agreement.  The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn't been completed Wednesday night.

Pettitte not happy with Yankees right now  —  Andy Pettitte is extremely unhappy with how his negotiations have gone with the Yankees, and the lefthander might be softening on his opposition to rejoining the Astros.  —  What once seemed a fait accompli - Pettitte returning to the Yankees …

REDDING MULLS OFFER FROM METS  —  As Mets GM Omar Minaya continues negotiations to secure Derek Lowe's services, he also has other starting-pitching options in mind.  —  Minaya, according to a source, has offered a contract to Tim Redding, who went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA for the Nationals last season.

Agent says Lee willing to extend deal  —  Reigning AL Cy Young winner will be free agent after 2010  —  CLEVELAND — When the Indians arrive at their new spring digs in Goodyear, Ariz., next month, one of their first orders of business might be to sit Cliff Lee down and start talking contract.

Yankees swing for bling in new plan  —  More than a quarter of the $370 million in taxpayer financing in the Yankees' latest demand would go to shiny new toys like giant video screens and upgraded luxury suites, documents show.  —  Nearly $95 million is for “scope modifications” …

BP Fantasy Beat  —  Defense and Effects  —  We usually discuss pitchers individually in this space, but let's try a different approach this week, examining how the defense behind a pitcher can make or break his performance.  We're going to take a look at the top five defenses from last year …

Candid Cam: Giambi's return to A's is a hit, so far  —  A'S GENERAL MANAGER Billy Beane gushed.  Jason Giambi blushed.  And I felt like whispering hush, that Beane's re-introduction of Giambi to the Bay Area media Wednesday was sounding too much like a best-man speech.