Alex Rodriguez's cousin, Yuri Sucart, would do anything for him … As far back as anyone can remember, Yuri Sucart was always by Alex Rodriguez's side.  —  Sucart would tell anyone who would listen he was Rodriguez's cousin.  But he was also Rodriguez's best friend, confidant and personal protector.

Signing Griffey a shortsighted move by Mariners  —  The Mariners' agreement with Ken Griffey Jr. is a nostalgia signing that does very little to push the franchise forward and carries some risk of retarding their recovery from five years of mismanagement by the previous baseball regime.

Lucchino, Henry in favor of salary cap  —  Red Sox brass address issue of competitive balance for MLB  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Despite their status as a big-market team, the Red Sox's ownership revealed Wednesday that they would be highly in favor of an “enlightened” salary cap …

Francoeur, Braves avoid arbitration  —  Outfielder now can focus on Spring Training, upcoming season  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Jeff Francoeur won't need to board his scheduled flight on Thursday morning.  Nor will he have to experience the arbitration hearing that had seemed destined to take place.

St. Louis Cardinals Pineiro upset with Jose Oquendo decision  —  JUPITER, FLA. — Debate continues over whether Major League Baseball devised the World Baseball Classic as a competition or global marketing opportunity.  —  In the Cardinals' training camp, the tournament has become a flash point.

Sources: New York Yanks, San Diego Padres vie for Mexican pitcher  —  The Yankees and Padres continue to search for pitching depth, even with spring training under way, and both are in the bidding for Walter Silva, a 32-year-old right-hander who had a strong showing in the Mexican Winter League, sources said.

Young players asked to fill leadership void for Dodgers  —  Russell Martin restrains teammate Manny Ramirez, who argues with Phillies pitcher JC Romero during the National League Championship Series last season.  Martin is one of several young players expected to serve as team leaders in 2009.

Baseball battles the slump  —  In one of the hardest-hit parts of the country, the Arizona Diamondbacks are emerging as a case study of how to keep sports fans loyal during the recession ($1.50 hot dogs, anyone?).  —  (Fortune Magazine) — Calling Arizona Diamondbacks season ticket holder Jackie Smiley …

Tampa Bay Rays finalize deal with versatile switch-hitter Willy Aybar  —  Willie Aybar, right, with Jason Bartlett, has shown the Rays that he can handle multiple positions and hit effectively from both sides of the plate, and his work ethic has been a plus.  —  Times]

George Steinbrenner, Bernie Williams appear at New York Yankees spring training  —  TAMPA, Fla. — A pair of familiar faces appeared Thursday at the New York Yankees' spring training camp for the first time this year: owner George Steinbrenner and outfielder Bernie Williams.

Kendrick takes hard line on PED use  —  D-backs managing general partner decries ‘cheating’ in game  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Ken Kendrick is not afraid to speak from his heart when it comes to the subject of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.  —  That was clear on Wednesday …

Cubs hope Kosuke Fukudome gets good start—in Japan  —  Fukudome seeks jump-start in Japan  —  MESA, Ariz. — You didn't have to be Bob Woodward to catch this clue.  —  Right there in full view, before the Cubs' first workout Wednesday morning, a pair of athletic shoes sat in front of Kosuke Fukudome's locker.

Rich Rundles has a posse  —  The number of people who care about this is likely equal to the number of people who were excited to see Rich Rundles make the majors last year, but while reading the new edition of the Baseball Prospectus annual, I was a bit put off by this information on their new play-by-play defensive metric:

Francis likely out for year  —  TUCSON — Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis expects his season to be over before it even starts.  Francis will undergo exploratory surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday in Denver, he said here today.  —  The surgery is expected to sideline him between 6-12 months, depending on the severity of the damage.