A-Rod has destroyed game's history … In baseball, we love our numbers.  And we love our heroes.  And that brings us to Alex Rodriguez, a man who has committed a crime he doesn't even understand:  —  A crime against the once-proud history of his sport.  —  A-Rod didn't commit that crime alone, of course.

Andruw Jones OKs Rangers' minor league deal  —  Released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Andruw Jones will have the opportunity to try to resurrect his career with the Texas Rangers.  —  Several media outlets reported Sunday that Texas will sign Jones to a minor league deal that will pay him $500,000 if he makes the major league team.

Phillies, 1B Howard agree to 3-year, $54M deal  —  The Philadelphia Phillies and first baseman Ryan Howard agreed Sunday to a three-year, $54 million contract to avoid an arbitration hearing.  —  Howard  —  “I'm happy to have this done and to know that I'll be in Philadelphia …

More Questions and Even Less Time  —  You may have noticed that today's column is titled “On The Beat.”  That change will keep the name consistent with the columns that I write on Wednesdays, as well as on other days when I end up covering the postseason and the Winter Meetings.

Inbox: What's the plan for Castillo?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  It is recognized that the Luis Castillo contract is not working out.  Could the Mets possibly buy out Castillo's contract, the way the Dodgers bought out Andruw Jones', and then sign Orlando Hudson to play second base.

D-backs near arbitration with Jackson  —  Club, slugger running out of time before hearing to reach deal  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs and Conor Jackson have a little more than a week to settle on a contract before going to a salary arbitration hearing.  —  Jackson's hearing …

Sabathia, Burnett give Yankees confidence  —  The Yankees made no secret of their primary objective during the offseason: upgrading their starting rotation.  —  They met that goal as well as anyone could have hoped, landing 2007 American League Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia and the dominant if erratic A.J. Burnett.

Glavine Mulls Braves' Offer  —  The Atlanta Braves have made an offer to Tom Glavine, but the 300-game winner hasn't decided whether to accept a significant pay cut.  —  With the start of spring training just a week away, general manager Frank Wren confirmed Sunday the Braves recently offered …

Nationals agree to terms with Olsen  —  Deal leaves Washington with two potential arbitration cases  —  The Nationals trimmed their arbitration list by one player on Sunday, when they agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.8 million contract with left-handed starter Scott Olsen.

A tough pitch to let go by  —  LA offering may be best Ramírez will see  —  Give Dodgers owner Frank McCourt credit.  He made a heck of an attempt to sign Manny Ramírez with an offer that made sense for both sides: one year, $25 million.  —  It was a page from the book …