Madden: Yanks need to ditch Alex the Grate  —  When the Yankees re-signed Alex Rodriguez in the fall of 2007, they envisioned the “clean” alternative to Barry Bonds - the knight in shining armor who would erase the stain of steroids from the all-time home run record, and they would bask in the glory of it with their brand.

Rangers Have Crowded Outfield  —  By Tim Dierkes [February 9 at 9:53am CST]  —  Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes that the Rangers have six candidates for the outfield: Josh Hamilton, Andruw Jones, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Frank Catalanotto, and Marlon Byrd.  Is a trade in order?

Alfonzo to play for Yomiuri Giants  —  Infielder played more than 1,500 games in Major Leagues  —  Edgardo Alfonzo is making a comeback in another country.  —  The 35-year-old infielder has signed a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League.

Ryan Howard's big deal  —  With or without the new contract he signed yesterday, Ryan Howard was going to be with the Phillies through 2011.  Look at it that way and his big deal - $54 million over three years - doesn't seem like such a big deal, at least to Phillies fans.

First Basemen “Scoops” - The Value of Handling Errant Throws at First Base  —  Most of you are familiar with Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), a metric for evaluating fielding using detailed play-by-play data.  For first basemen, like all other fielders, it measures the number of ground balls …

Categorizing Starting Pitchers by Strikeout and Groundball Rates - 2008 Edition  —  Strikeout and groundball rates have become my favorite way to evaluate pitchers.  While I also pay close attention to walk rates, I am most interested in whether pitchers can miss bats and keep batted balls in the park.

Brewers might sign Looper  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  I'm starting to hear that the Brewers have changed their minds about adding a starting pitcher prior to camp and might sign free agent Braden Looper.  —  From what I hear, the sides could be working toward a deal at this very moment.

McNamee: I had to be truthful about Clemens  —  NEW YORK — Brian McNamee says he couldn't risk lying to federal agents when they asked him about Roger Clemens and performance-enhancing drugs.  —  McNamee, the pitcher's former trainer, appeared on “The Howard Stern Show” on Monday morning.

K-Rod anxious to win over fans  —  Live arms at back of the pen again raises hope of playoff run  —  Francisco Rodriguez and the man who brought him to New York, Mets GM Omar Minaya.  (Newsday / Alejandra Villa)  —  Francisco Rodriguez is scheduled to arrive in Port St. Lucie later this week.

Baseball contracts can be off the wall  —  Former Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe is greeted by Braves General Manager Frank Wren during the news conference to announce his signing at four years for $60 million.  Part of the deal calls for Lowe to stay in suites when the team travels.