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.

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)

Fielder, agent likely to swing for the fences  —  Folks throughout the baseball industry are waiting to see how bold agent Scott Boras will be Tuesday when filing his salary arbitration request for Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder.  —  Not even the Brewers are sure how aggressive that figure will be.

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.

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?

The End Zone: Bernie Williams is still swingin'  —  SAN JUAN - The press corps is gathered in a windowless conference room one floor up from the lobby of San Juan's plush Intercontinental Hotel, reporters and photographers mingling with representatives and organizers of the upcoming …

Mazzone admits he erred leaving Braves  —  In addition to Cy Maddux, Cy Glavine and Cy Smoltz for the Braves, there was Cy Mazzone, the pitching coach who helped push those other Cys into the city limits of Cooperstown.  —  Then Cy Mazzone blew it.  —  He left.  He should have stayed with the Braves forever.

Adding another scoring option was needed by Mavs  —  The coach preaches defense constantly, and Rick Carlisle's right.  If the Mavs don't play good defense, they have no chance.  —  What we've also discovered this season is that they have little or no chance with just two players on the floor who can score.

Sabathia ready for NY pressure  —  Lefty ruminates on new home before receiving Spahn Award  —  OKLAHOMA CITY — CC Sabathia has yet to meet George Steinbrenner, but he believes he's ready for the pressure cooker that he'll encounter as the New York Yankees' new ace.

Source: O's, Markakis close to six-year extension  —  Reported deal would be worth between $64 million and $66 million in guaranteed money  —  It looks as if Nick Markakis will be patrolling right field at Camden Yards for several more years.  —  Markakis and the Orioles have made …

Phillies, Hamels agree to 3-year, $20.5M deal  —  The Philadelphia Phillies have avoided arbitration with World Series MVP Cole Hamels, agreeing with the left-hander on a three-year, $20.5 million contract.  —  Hamels  —  ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that the contract will pay Hamels $4.35 million …