Jon Lester set to ink deal  —  FORT MYERS - Sometime this morning, Jon Lester [stats] and the Red Sox [team stats] are expected to announce the worst kept secret of the spring - that he has signed a $30 million contract extension.  —  Yesterday, Lester was scratched from a scheduled start …

Team USA makes a mockery of WBC mission  —  Buzz up!  —  MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - The World Baseball Classic is a farce.  There's no other way to put it.  As much great baseball as it showcases, and as much as it means to other countries, until the United States starts treating the games …

Spring Game 19: Twins at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Andy Pettitte, Phil Coke, Jose Veras.  —  TWINS  —  Span LF  —  Hughes 2B  —  Gomez CF  —  Kubel DH  —  Harris 3B  —  Buscher 1B  —  Redmond C  —  Winfree RF  —  Plouffe SS

Padres sign RHP Duaner Sanchez ...  PEORIA, Ariz. - In their never-ending quest to solidify their bullpen, the Padres signed 29-year-old right-hander Duaner Sanchez to a Minor League contract, general manager Kevin Towers confirmed Sunday.  —  Sanchez was released by the New York Mets on March 10.

Astros pare down roster  —  Six players sent to Minor League camps on Sunday  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Prior to leaving for their road game with the Braves on Sunday, the Astros made six moves, paring their Spring Training roster to 47.  —  Five were optioned to Triple-A Round Rock …

Roster cuts begin wtih Stockman  —  Parr among Braves moves expected to be announced Monday  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Phil Stockman's injury-plagued career with the Braves came to a close on Sunday when he was given his unconditional release.  —  Stockman made just one Grapefruit League appearance …

President Hugo Chavez rips Venezuelan fans for booing Magglio Ordonez at WBC  —  CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez came to the defense of Magglio Ordonez on Sunday, slamming Venezuelan baseball fans who booed the major leaguer at the World Baseball Classic.

Mariners claim Delgado from Marlins  —  Righty came in Beckett deal, spent 2008 mostly in Double-A  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Former Marlins right-hander Jesus Delgado was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Sunday.  —  Delgado, 24, made just two appearances in 2008, giving up a run in two innings of work.

Bannister's stats don't tell whole story  —  After allowing six runs in 4 2/3 innings, righty feels he improved  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Brian Bannister's bottom line was worse, but the Royals' right-hander felt he pitched better on Saturday in an 11-3 loss to the D-backs.

Prospectus Q and A: Shiraz Rehman by David Laurila  —  Shiraz Rehman … David Laurila: What is your role with the Diamondbacks?  —  Shiraz Rehman: Technically, I'm the Director of Baseball Operations, so I guess that means a lot of work on arbitration, contracts and contract structuring, and some of the negotiations.

Exclusive New Yankee Stadium Photos: March 14th, 2009  —  I had the pleasure of being inside the New Yankee Stadium today.  All reports are certainly true, it's an absolute palace.  —  This is a Voice of Yankees Universe exclusive.  Feel free to share this post or any of these images.