D-backs could sign, trade Cruz  —  But reliever would need to reach deal with another team first  —  TUCSON — It appears the Juan Cruz free-agent saga could get even more complicated for the D-backs.  —  General manager Josh Byrnes said on Monday that it is possible that the right-handed reliever …

Holdout Perez regrets accepting Nationals' offer  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Odalis Perez wasn't in the group of pitchers and catchers who, in the last three days, reported to the Washington Nationals' spring training camp in Viera, Fla., and there is no known date for the arrival of the Dominican left-hander.

Griffey meets with Wren  —  What was shaping up as a rather ordinary Spring Training Monday at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex turned into a rather interesting one when some guy named Ken Griffey Jr. arrived to meet with Braves general manager Frank Wren.

Yankees Lining Up to Attend Rodriguez News Conference  —  TAMPA, Fla. — There is no sign-up sheet for the post-practice field trip at Yankees' camp on Tuesday, but there might as well be.  When Alex Rodriguez addresses the news media under a tent down the third-base line at Steinbrenner Field, several teammates will be watching.

Deep thoughts from Ortiz  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz has something to say — and perhaps even something to prove — to the naysayers who thought his career was on the downside after an injury-filled 2008 campaign.  —  “Sometimes I hear some comments and they do nothing but make me stronger …

Ludwick, Cardinals agree to 1-year, $3.7M deal  —  ST. LOUIS — Ryan Ludwick and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $3.7 million, one-year contract and avoided an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday.  —  Ludwick  —  The outfielder had asked for $4.25 million …

Ohman has offers from Bucs, Marlins, Padres  —  Will Ohman, one of the top relievers left on baseball's free agent market, has major league offers in hand from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins and San Diego Padres, but plans to continue discussions with three contending teams before making …

Mets Look for Switch-Hitting Kielty's Best Side  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Back when Jerry Manuel managed the Chicago White Sox, hardly anything could bother him when his ace, Mark Buehrle, was pitching.  Except on those days when Buehrle faced the Twins.  Manuel knew that Bobby Kielty's name …

Varitek: No switch from switching  —  In case you're wondering, Jason Varitek knows the idea has been floated.  But if you're expecting him to give up switch-hitting to bat only righthanded, he has a simple answer.  —  “Oh my goodness.  Hell, no,” Varitek said this morning at the Red Sox' spring training complex.

PECOTA sure to stir annual debate  —  Named for former infielder, system projects many of season's results  —  When Nate Silver devised the unique PECOTA rating system for Baseball Prospectus, he had a light-hitting Kansas City Royals infielder in mind.  —  And when that infielder …

Brewers monitoring Cordero  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - General manager Doug Melvin's special scouting assistant, Dick Groch, will be on hand Wednesday in California for the next throwing session by Chad Cordero.  The former Washington closer is coming …

Due to insurance issues, Pujols to skip WBC  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols says he will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic because of insurance issues.  —  Pujols, who hit .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs for the Cardinals …

No interest in Pudge  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Despite what Pudge Rodriguez keeps saying, the Mets aren't interested in the veteran catcher and aren't talking to him about a contract.  A high-ranking team source said there has been no discussion about Rodriguez in recent weeks …

First-round pick Fields signs  —  Three days after reaching an agreement, the Mariners and first-round Draft pick Josh Fields made it official on Monday, putting the final touches on a contract.  —  His signature on a contract came more than nine months after Seattle selected the former University …

Sadler gets big boost from Manny  —  Ramirez helped Giants reliever continue offseason workouts  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Giants right-hander Billy Sadler feels grateful when he thinks about “Manny being Manny.”  —  Due to Manny Ramirez's generosity, Sadler maintained his workout regimen …