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.

Yankees ban A-Rod's cousin from team facilities  —  BY MICHAEL O'KEEFFE IN NEW YORK AND MARK FEINSAND IN TAMPA  —  Yankee officials have told Alex Rodriguez that Yuri Sucart, believed to be the cousin who injected Major League Baseball's biggest star with steroids, is no longer welcome at team facilities or hotels.

Manuel's postgame remarks  —  Jerry Manuel acknowledged his spring-training use of Jose Reyes in the No. 3 hole may be just an exercise and that Reyes hits leadoff when the season begins.  —  “That's very possible,” Manuel said.  “Whatever we feel will fit to win.  All we're doing is creating options.”

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.

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.

Nats Packing Bags In DR [Update]  —  [This report comes relayed from Barry Svrluga, on site in the Dominican]  —  The Nationals this morning are disbanding their operation at Jose Rijo's baseball academy in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, and have ordered at least some of their prospects to go home.

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.

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.

PIAZZA RUMORS THE TROUBLE WITH ERA  —  JUPITER, Fla. - This is part of the Steroid Era, too, now.  A back field at Roger Dean Stadium.  A conversation with Mike Piazza.  —  I can act like Piazza was not encased in suspicion when he played.  But that would be dishonest.  It was talked about.

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.

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.