Stan Kasten and the Player to Be Named Later  —  Stan Kasten just completed his conference call with reporters about the Esmailyn “Smiley” Gonzalez mess.  With about a dozen reporters crammed into a small office on the third floor of Space Coast Stadium, and with a few others on the line …

Griffey says yes to Mariners  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Just over nine years to the day after he left, Ken Griffey Jr. is back with the Seattle Mariners.  —  The Seattle Post-Intelligencer learned Tuesday that Griffey turned his back on a flirtation with the Atlanta Braves Wednesday and opted …

Jeter Declares His Independence From the Steroids Era  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Derek Jeter subtly expressed his support for Alex Rodriguez on Wednesday as Rodriguez grapples with possible repercussions from admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.  But Jeter was much more forceful …

Red Sox owner renews plea for MLB salary cap … FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is renewing his call for a baseball salary cap.  —  He says he thinks all owners would support an “enlightened” salary cap to improve competitive balance and that players might agree.

Last Section of Shea Stadium Is Torn Down  —  Shea Stadium, the site of the Mets' two World Series victories, their many seasons of futility and a few historic concerts, met the fate of Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds on Wednesday morning.  At 11:21 a.m., a demolition crew pulled down the final section …

Aybar deal done, could be worth $4.525 M  —  The Rays officially announced the signing of INF Willy Aybar to a two-year deal with a 2011 option that could be worth $4.525 million.  —  “We've had the chance over the last year to really get to know Willy and we feel he brings a lot of our club,” executive VP Andrew Friedman said.

Shea demolition update  —  Shea will be gone, but not completely forgotten.  COO Jeff Wilpon said that home plate, the pitchers mound and the bases will be immortalized in the parking lot, which Shea's hallowed ground will hopefully become by April.  —  So good news — you can still do the DynaMets Dash.

Roberts deal just about done  —  There's more to do than just cross the T's and dot the I's, but the Orioles are close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension with Brian Roberts that has been confirmed at four years and $40 million.  —  Two open issues need to be addressed …

Andruw Jones hopes to revive career with Texas Rangers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The drive from Duluth, Ga., to the Surprise Recreation Campus stretches nearly 2,000 miles and takes the average motorists a few days to complete.  —  Andruw Jones made the trek earlier this week …

LIFE OF REILLY  —  It's time to right some wrongs, one MVP at a time.  —  John Grieshop/Getty Images  —  It's been tougher than a $4.99 steak.  Got chased by Dobermans eight times.  Had to hire five different sticky-fingered third-graders.  Broke into the wrong house twice.  —  But it's finally done.

Joe Posnanski: Silence proved golden for this steroid star … You probably remember that exchange.  It occurred on March 17, 2005, and the Committee on Government Reform held a hearing with the understated name: “Restoring Faith in America's Pastime.”  The idea, as everyone understood it …

Chipper, Braves discussing extension  —  Deal could keep veteran in Atlanta for remainder of his career  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Chipper Jones wants to spend his entire career in Atlanta, and it appears the Braves may be willing to provide him the opportunity.

Wrapping up the first full-squad workout  —  Back later with some audio, but for now:  —  · Joe Girardi said that Hideki Matsui will not play any outfield in spring training because of his knees.  He also conceded that once the season starts, Matsui would only play the outfield in an emergency.