Griffey picks Braves over Mariners  —  Negotiations still on-going, both sides working to finalize deal  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen to sign with the Braves, according to a person close to the veteran star and familiar with the on-going negotiations.

Bud Selig says he doesn't deserve blame for steroids era  —  In the volatile wake of Alex Rodriguez's admission that he used performance-enhancing substances earlier this decade, Bud Selig remains bothered by the suggestion that he is to blame for Major League Baseball's steroids era.

Pirates, McLouth reach long-term deal  —  In a sharp reversal, the Pirates and center fielder Nate McLouth this morning agreed to terms on a three-year contract — plus a club option for a fourth — that avoided an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for this afternoon in Phoenix.

Brad Penny's escape from L.A.  —  Buzz up!  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Though he loved Los Angeles and in its place was subject to the softest free-agent market in years, Brad Penny is happy to be free of the Dodgers.  —  And though they were left to rebuild a pitching staff that could use another power arm …

A-Rod live blog  —  Our man Nick Cafardo is in Tampa to document today's highly anticipated Alex Rodriguez press conference, and following the controversial Yankees superstar's first formal chat with the media since he admitted using performance-enhancing substances, he will file a full report right here on Extra Bases.

Gagne is back  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - I'm guessing most of you didn't see this coming because we sure didn't.  —  Eric Gagne is back.  —  The Brewers just announced that Gagne signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring camp.

Manuel's unusual hitting drill hands-on  —  Manager believes tool will help Mets combat fatigue at the plate  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Some degree of any big league training camp is about conditioning, of course.  Pitchers run sprints and “poles” — foul pole to foul pole — and throw, and everyone builds stamina.

Miguel Tejada apologizes to Houston Astros for use of PEDs  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — While Alex Rodriguez was addressing his use of performance-enhancing drugs in front of a national media contingent Tuesday, Miguel Tejada made a quiet apology to his teammates at the Houston Astros' training camp.

Dodgers settle with Ethier  —  The Dodgers have settled with Andre Ethier on a one-year, $3.1 million contract plus $100,000 in incentives.  Ethier would get $25,000 each for 596 (his total last year) and 625 plate appearances, and $50,000 for 650 plate appearances.

These Are Your Phillies  —  The Phillies could use another lefthander in their bullpen, but the Phillies won't be signing one of the remaining free agent lefthanders on the market like Joe Beimel and Will Ohman.  —  “They're available, but we're not on them,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Spring Training Trade Candidates  —  Big trades are a rarity in Spring Training.  Still, possibilities emerge as rosters begin to take shape.  Here's a close look at 10 Spring Training trade candidates.  —  1. Cardinals outfielders.  If everyone's healthy, the Cardinals have more outfielders than they need.

Your newest Padre? ...  Emil Brown  —  The Padres announced a few minutes ago that they've signed outfielder Emil Brown to a Minor League contract.  —  Brown, 34, an everyday player the last four seasons with Kansas City and then Oakland a year ago, has a .258 career batting average and has twice driven in over 80 runs.