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.

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.

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 …

Believe it not, this is about JUAN CRUZ  —  I touched on this in my story for Monday's ink-on-paper editions.  —  A new wrinkle has come up that could make it easier for the Twins acquire someone like righthander Juan Cruz, who's considered one of the best set up men of the free agent class …

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 …

Lost passport rules ex-MLB pitcher Kim out of classic  —  SEOUL (Reuters) - Former Major League pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim has been dropped from South Korea's squad for the World Baseball Classic because he lost his passport and could not attend training in Hawaii, an official said on Monday.

Family matters for White Sox's Mark Buehrle, who is considering retirement after 2011 season  —  So much so, that Buehrle may retire after 2011 season  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mark Buehrle arrived for his 10th training camp with the White Sox looking ready to go, as always.

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 …

Peter King: What's next for Favre … We've got a lot going on for what's supposed to be a dead time — Michael Vick's on the block while in the cell block, Julius Peppers is trying to politely talk himself out of Carolina, Alex Rodriguez is lying about Selena Roberts (which enrages me) …

Twins' Mauer will take spring slowly as abs heal … FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — While Minnesota Twins pitchers and catchers finished their first official spring training workout outside, Joe Mauer finished his inside the team's weight room.  —  Mauer's goal is to be behind the plate …

A few things . . .  Julio Lugo fields ground balls with the shortstops Monday.  (Chris Forsberg / Boston.com)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — A few things from the clubhouse before players took the field . . .  - Julio Lugo said this morning he'll wait and see how things transpire by the end …

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 …

2009 Mets rotation  —  As of today, with everyone healthy, this is the Mets' rotation to start the season:  —  1. Johan Santana  —  2. Mike Pelfrey  —  3. Oliver Perez  —  4. John Maine  —  5. Tim Redding  —  Pitching coach Dan Warthen explained that Pelfrey's better numbers …

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 …

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 …

Pitchers and Catchers  —  Back when I started working in baseball for the Cleveland Indians, the only feeling that rivaled winning in the playoffs was getting in your rental car in Orlando in the middle of February, rolling down the windows, and soaking up the 60+ miles to Winter Haven.

Down the Rabbit Hole: Looking at 2009 Free Agency  —  By Maury Brown [February 16 at 10:50am CST]  —  With Spring Training arriving, we can start to peel back the layers of the onion we call free agency and look at some trends.  To begin with, I started by taking a look at total spending in the FA market this season.