Mets release Sanchez  —  Right-handed reliever never the same after 2006 accident  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Convinced that Duaner Sanchez would not regain the form he had in 2006, the Mets released the 29-year-old right-handed relief pitcher on Tuesday morning.

Why the Red Sox had as good a winter as the Yankees  —  Signings of Smoltz, Penny, Baldelli and Saito fill needs without breaking bank  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — One team tried to solve its problems with $423 million worth of free agents.  The other team brought in a bunch of guys who spent about 423 million days in the trainer's room.

Sox re-sign 19  —  The Red Sox agreed to terms with 19 players on one-year contracts this afternoon — including lefthander Jon Lester.  —  But no worries, Sox fans.  The signing today was more or less a formality and doesn't impact the long-term contract Lester is reportedly on the verge of signing.

Cashman not optimistic about trade  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks he's unlikely to acquire a fill-in third baseman to replace Alex Rodriguez.  —  “I'm not optimistic about doing anything,” Cashman said before the Yankees played Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

Kearns, Eckstein, and Adjustments  —  So I have — in the past, by my fellow scribes - been accused of being the president of the Austin Kearns Apologists Club.  It's a nice club over which to preside, because I'm the only one who wants to go to the meetings, and therefore I don't have to consult with anyone else about times or places.

STRANGE LOVE: YANKS, SAWX FORM BOND  —  TORONTO - Love is in the air between the Yankees and Red Sox.  —  Maybe “love” is a little strong, but Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis don't mind saying they have formed a bond with Derek Jeter as members of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Amezaga returns to South Florida from Mexico's team in WBC with stiffness in knee  —  JUPITER — Marlins utility player Alfredo Amezaga returned to South Florida from the World Baseball Classic on Monday after experiencing stiffness in his left knee.  —  Amezaga is expected to be evaluated by team doctors Tuesday.

Fidel Castro's Reflection on Second Baseball Classic  —  Reflections by Comrade Fidel  —  I am trying to follow the events of the Baseball Classic, thanks to our national television services.  —  The game between the teams from Japan and South Korea, Cuba's strongest opponents, took place on Monday March 9.

Moose pays Yankees a visit  —  Recently retired righty has no regrets over calling it a career  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mike Mussina made the familiar drive to George M. Steinbrenner Field, and the security guards waved him right into Derek Jeter's parking space.  270 wins do a lot to open the gates.

Pettitte pain-free in Grapefruit debut … TAMPA - For the first time since the middle of last season, Andy Pettitte threw a pitch without pain.  —  Granted, none of his 31 throws counted toward the Yankees' goal of a ticket back to October, but a healthy Pettitte figures to be a key component …

THE SPORTS GUY  —  You don't need stats to know greatness.  Meryl taught me that.  —  Next time you're hanging out with friends, ask them this: “Who is the greatest living actor?”  The question will temporarily paralyze them, as if they'd been Tasered.  Everyone watches movies, so the answer should be obvious, right?

Spring Game 14: Reds at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Joba Chamberlain followed by Kei Igawa, Christian Garcia, Phil Coke, Mike Dunn and Anthony Claggett.  —  REDS  —  Dickerson CF  —  Gonzalez SS  —  Bruce RF  —  Phillips 2B  —  Barker 1B  —  Encarnacion 3B  —  Nix LF

Sheets rehabbing with Rangers doctor  —  Texas GM says ‘no connection’ between pitcher's work and team  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers might not be done with Ben Sheets.  —  Sheets, who is recovering from surgery on his right elbow, is doing his rehabilitation work at TMI Sports Medicine in Arlington …

Minaya: Pagan debating surgery  —  VIERA, Fla. — Angel Pagan is still mulling over surgery to repair the bone spur in his right elbow, GM Omar Minaya said today.  If Pagan opts for surgery, which appears likely, he would miss just 6-to-8 weeks and not the entire season.

Fehr does not foresee a salary cap  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Although it's a long way off, when the Basic Agreement expires at the end of 2011, Don Fehr said Tuesday he thinks a hard salary cap would be a non-starter in those negotiations.  —  Fehr, the executive director of the Players Association …