Manny Ramirez's agent continues to negotiate with Dodgers  —  Scott Boras says he's still working with the team on a possible contract for the All-Star slugger, who hasn't accepted the latest two-year, $45-million offer that includes a player option for 2010.

Washington Nationals to fire special assistant Jose Rijo in wake of prospect age scandal  —  The Washington Nationals have decided to fire special assistant Jose Rijo and will shut down the team's academy in the Dominican Republic as part of a restructuring of the team's operations in Latin America …

Mr. October gives A-Rod a sitdown  —  Yankees legend lends advice to oft-discussed slugger  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — There's nothing like a stern lecture from Mr. October to help a troubled friend focus on the priorities of life and career when enormous distractions are closing in and his reputation is crumbling.

In '09 debut, Beckett ‘free and easy’  —  Veteran righty, Francona pleased with first spring appearance  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Unlike the last time he took the mound in a game for the Red Sox, Josh Beckett didn't need anti-inflammatories just to make it bearable.

On Day 1, Mets, Ryan Church and Luis Castillo Ace Exams  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — One by one, the balls landed on the outfield grass, guided from the Mets' bats to the opposite field by some sort of otherworldly force.  No other explanation could suffice for Jerry Manuel …

Gardner and Swisher Stand Out In Yanks' Win  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Brett Gardner's son, Hunter, was born last November and attended his first baseball game on Wednesday with his mom.  It's probably a good thing he doesn't understand what he's watching yet, because his father stepped out of character with his first swing of the season.

Yankees lower partial-view seat price to $5  —  The price of watching a fraction of Yankees games dropped to a fraction of its original cost yesterday, with obstructed-view bleacher seats abruptly falling from $12 per game to $5.  —  Lonn Trost, the team's chief operating officer, made the announcement during an interview on WFAN.

D-backs sign three pre-arbitration arms  —  Petit, Rosales and Newby all agree on one-year deals  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The D-backs have reached agreement with three of their pre-arbitration players on one-year contracts.  —  Pitchers Yusmeiro Petit, Leo Rosales and Kyler Newby signed one-year deals.

Ozzie Guillen comes alive as manager of Chicago White Sox  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — As sure as the sun rises in the east and Ozzie Guillen rises in a talkative mood, it will happen.  —  At some point this season, Guillen will talk about retiring, going home to Miami and living the good life.

Angels' John Lackey heads impressive list of potential free agents  —  Unheralded Angels ace fronts deep group of walk-year players to watch  —  An under-the-radar ace on a talented, deep team, John Lackey somehow has avoided attention throughout a remarkable big-league career.

McCarver Awarded $100K in Morgan Keegan Claim  —  Memphis native and sports broadcaster Tim McCarver has been awarded $100,000 in compensatory damages as a result of the arbitration claim he filed over losses from Morgan Keegan & Co. mutual fund investments.

Pedro brings heat in simulated game  —  Free-agent starter preparing to pitch for Dominican team  —  Free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez is staying busy.  —  The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw a simulated game on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic and is on track to start …