N.C.A.A. Ban on Lawyers for Athletes Ruled Illegal  —  An Ohio court ruling on Thursday could markedly alter negotiations between Major League Baseball draft picks and their teams if it withstands appeal.  —  Erie County Judge Tygh M. Tone ruled that an N.C.A.A. rule, which renders …

Tim Wakefield trusts in Josh Bard  —  Doesn't foresee issues  —  FORT MYERS - Three years ago, Josh Bard couldn't handle Tim Wakefield [stats]'s knuckleball, forcing the Sox to deal Bard and reacquire Doug Mirabelli [stats].  —  This spring, Bard is back and penciled in as Wakefield's catcher …

News: Ramon Martinez back with Mets  —  Ramon Martinez will return to the Mets as a non-roster invitee, though he has not yet reported to camp.  —  The 36-year-old Martinez, who bats right-handed, hit .250 in seven games for the Mets last season.  —  He was the team's starting second baseman in their final game of the year.

A Boost and a Blast  —  Finally, the Nationals can smile.  And show their faces when they do it.  —  After three years as owners, the Lerner family can point at Adam Dunn — all 275 pounds of him, with five straight 40-homer seasons — and say, as Mark Lerner did yesterday: “We are thrilled. …

Top 100 Prospects  —  The Best of the Best

Mets' Santana won't pitch for Venezuela in WBC … CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — New York Mets ace Johan Santana will not be pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.  —  The Venezuelan Baseball Federation announced Friday the two-time Cy Young winner will miss the tournament that begins next month.

McLouth hopes to avoid arbitration  —  Tuesday hearing approaches as outfielder, Bucs continue talks  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — On Friday, all focus could be on baseball for Nate McLouth, who arrived here to begin working out on Wednesday.  But looming over the All-Star outfielder …

Stark: Goodbye offseason, hello spring training  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Is it over yet?  —  We're talking, of course, about a period we once used to refer to as “the offseason.”  (Sheez, you were expecting maybe the A-Rod-Madonna lovefest?)  —  That isn't a question we normally ask …

Mets rotation arrives early, has great chemistry  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets' rotation doesn't have  —  CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe or even Pedro Martinez anymore.  But what it appears to have is chemistry and a sense of purpose, two things on display even before the official beginning of spring training.

Raissman: YES is best cover for Alex … While watching the Yankees fail to qualify for a playoff berth in his rookie season as Yankees manager, Joe Girardi managed to alienate the media covering the team.  —  Girardi staked his final claim to lame in late September when he lied to reporters …

EATON TO PHILS: RELEASE ME  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — So, we heard from Adam Eaton a little bit ago.  Eaton is, without question, the elephant in the clubhouse.  After opting to go home instead of pitching in the Florida Instructional League last October, Eaton isn't in the running for the Phils …

Low preseason expectations for White Sox  —  Prospectus has Sox in cellar, Cubs winning Central (but not Series)  —  As White Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training Sunday, Ken Williams might want to make Baseball Prospectus 2009 mandatory reading.

An Interview with Peter Abraham of the Journal News  —  Pitchers and Catchers began reporting this week to Spring Training.  Alex Rodriguez admitted to using anabolic steroids.  So we interviewed a baseball writer, Peter Abraham of the Journal News (NY).  He's got what is widely considered …

Dodgers are striking out in Arizona  —  The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach to Phoenix, but so far it hasn't worked out that way.  —  Reporting from Phoenix — The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach …