Cards want Pujols long-term, L.A. sweetens deal for Manny and more … JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt liked what superstar Albert Pujols said upon arriving at camp about winning being more important than money to him when it comes to his next contract.

Cashman on A-Rod's Cousin: 'It's Been Handled'  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez employs a startling number of advisers and image consultants.  Yet he continues to do things that defy common sense.  —  On Wednesday in Dunedin, Rodriguez left the ballpark in an S.U.V. driven by his cousin, Yuri Sucart.

Yankees to wear special '09 caps  —  Hey, in case you haven't heard, the Yankees are opening a new stadium in 2009!  —  Major League Baseball press release:

Spring Game 2: Rays at Yankees  —  YANKEES (1-0)  —  Pitching today: Phil Hughes followed by Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Jon Albaladejo, Mark Melancon.  —  RAYS (0-1)  —  Kennedy 2B  —  Crawford LF  —  Aybar DH  —  Ensberg 3B  —  Zobrist SS  —  Kapler CF  —  Richard 1B

Dodgers agree to terms with ...  ... I'll give you a hint, it's a guy who played a key role for the 2004 Red Sox as the team ended it's 86-year World Series title drought.  But no, it's not Manny Ramirez.  The Dodgers have agreed to terms with ... Doug Mientkiewicz, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

It's Official: Rijo, Baez Out [Update]  —  From Barry in the Dominican, again:  —  Jose Rijo just emerged from a 10-minute meeting with Nationals officials, including assistant GM Mike Rizzo.  He was relieved of his duties as a special assistant to General Manager Jim Bowden.

Lincecum signs $650,000 contract  —  UPDATE: Giants official Bobby Evans said there are no immediate plans to negotiate a long-term deal with Lincecum.  The plan is to complete contracts with all sub-arbitration players first.  Also, Lincecum's contract does not contain a bonus for winning Cy Young again.

Santana scratched from Friday start  —  Left elbow tenderness leads to precautionary move for Mets  —  Words no one in this camp can accept without squirming — Johan Santana has been scratched from his scheduled start because of pain in his elbow — were spoken Thursday morning.

FINAL Pirates 3, Red Sox 2  —  SOX GO GOWN (3:52, END 9, 3-2 PIRATES)  —  Chris Carter and Josh Reddick flew out, followed by a Carlos Maldonado walk.  Anderson came up with a chance to be a hero.  George Kottaras pinch ran for Maldonado.  Anderson struck out looking at a pitch that may have been a bit inside.

Gwynn's not guilty by association  —  As if Tony Gwynn didn't have enough in his glove, dealing day-to-day with college kids, trying to build a baseball power at San Diego State, attempting to do the coaching job he thought would be as easy for him as ripping a base hit though the 5.5 hole.

Media want Barry Bonds jury questionaires unsealed  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Media companies are urging a federal judge to allow access to completed questionnaires by potential jurors in Barry Bonds' perjury trial.  —  U.S. District Judge Susan Illston has ordered the completed questionnaires sealed.

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.

Solving the Digital Blackout Blues  —  Liberation! … —MLB Club Official (Sports Business Journal)  —  That anonymous club official was interviewed before the financial world collapsed in September, so you can forgive him for seeming to have a weird set of priorities.

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.