Harper: Mets should play Sheets music  —  If the Mets are going to continue to ignore Manny Ramirez's availability and take a lineup that has significant question marks into the 2009 season, then they need to think boldly about filling the final spot in their starting rotation.

Cardinals Inquired About Cano  —  By Nat Boyle [January 18 at 10:03am CST]  —  According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the Cardinals called the Yankees to inquire about second baseman Robinson Cano.  Goold says the Yankees asking price was an immediate deal breaker: Adam Wainwright.

Deep thoughts on players  —  Many stars don't shine when spotlight's bright  —  For many teams, it's about getting deep into the postseason, winning it all.  Yet how much thought goes into rosters to make sure teams have the players that will perform once they get there?

Was it a false arm alarm?  —  Rothschild's comments cause confusion, but Harden allays fears  —  So what's the deal with Rich Harden and his iffy shoulder anyway?  —  The Cubs have committed $7million worth of faith in the health of the right-hander's pitching shoulder.

Anticipating holes in the Yankees lineup  —  This post started with a conversation.  I was talking to my newspaper's Penn State writer and longtime baseball writer Donnie Collins about the eventual free agency of Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, two players Donnie and I each covered back when the Phillies were the local franchise.

Carpenter gives an upbeat report  —  Cardinal pitcher Chris Carpenter signs autographs for fans at the Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis for the 13th Annual Winter Warm-Up on Saturday morning.  Proceeds benefit the team's community foundation, Cardinals Care.  (Erik M. Lunsford /P-D)

It's A Madd, Madd World ...  - In case you were wondering, Rickey Henderson only ties Goose Gossage and Hoyt Wilhelm as the most traveled Hall-of-Famers with nine teams on their plaques.  In all of Rickey's coming and goings over 25 years in the game, he made a liar of Thomas Wolff …