Done deal: Joe Crede is a Twin!  —  I was told by a source a couple hours ago that the Twins were expected to announce Joe Crede's signing this afternoon.  Then another source with knowledge of negotiations called Joe Christensen with even more details.  —  The Twins will sign Crede …

Ortiz on Dominican trainer, shoulder  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz spent five minutes answering questions this morning about his relationship with Angel Presinal, amid reports that Major League Baseball investigators want to talk with Alex Rodriguez about his work with the Dominican trainer.

Players affected by Stanford scandal  —  Situation impacting investments of Damon, Nady and Pelfrey  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees outfielders Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady and Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey are reportedly among those affected by the continuing Stanford Financial Group scandal.

Redding out indefinitely  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Fifth-starter hopeful Tim Redding is being kept off the mound indefinitely while the former National recovers from a previously undisclosed surgery on his foot in November, Jerry Manuel said today.  —  Redding said the surgery was to repair …

Bucs exercise Russell's option for 2010  —  Skipper entering his second season at helm in Pittsburgh  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates announced on Saturday that manager John Russell's contract option for 2010 has been exercised.  —  Russell, 48, is coming off his first season at the helm in Pittsburgh …

Source: Nomar Garciaparra may have suitor in Oakland Athletics  —  The Philadelphia Phillies had talked with Nomar Garciaparra early in the offseason about joining them as a part-time player to balance their lineup and Garciaparra, not completely sure what he wants to do, didn't jump at the idea.

Hudson signing a great deal for Dodgers  —  The Dodgers' signing of Orlando Hudson is easily one of the biggest bargains of the offseason.  He's a very good offensive second baseman who in the past was also a plus fielder.  Hudson's defense has slipped in the past two years, particularly in 2008 …

Mets rising star Parnell's got stuff to make team  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Jose Reyes had never seen one of his bats split from the top of the barrel almost down to the knob.  When the shattered half flipped in the air toward the mound, Reyes looked at the piece in his hand, shook his head and walked to retrieve the fragment.

Tampa Bay Rays news and notes  —  The sideshow to Thursday's pig roast was the hazing of players in their first major-league camp.  They had to dress as hula girls and serve drinks.  A rundown from emcee Fernando Perez:  —  RHP Neal Frontz: “Most ladylike.  He probably throws 95, but he has the body of a middle school girl.”

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano can see clearly now  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Justin Ruggiano's offseason had a storybook feel to it.  —  The Rays outfielder got married in Mexico in January and vacationed for 10 days in the Bahamas.  Soon after, Ruggiano and his wife, Shelly, found out they would be having their first child.

Harper: A-Rod's body of lies overshadows his body of work  —  TAMPA - On Tuesday Alex Rodriguez asked to be judged “from this day forward,” yet in the four days since, there is legitimate reason to judge him more harshly than ever.  —  More and more he looks like a liar as well as a steroid cheat …