Jeter is a beacon for the entire WBC  —  Buzz up!  —  LOS ANGELES - Whether you like the WBC or haven't given it any thought at all, whether you view it as the intergalactic baseball championship or little more than puffed-up batting practice, any standing it does have in this country is a reflection of Derek Jeter.

Hughes among six Yankees cuts  —  The Yankees made six roster moves prior to today's game:  —  Phil Hughes, Steven Jackson and Anthony Claggett were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Humberto Sanchez was optioned to Double-A Trenton.  —  Additionally, Jason Johnson …

Koskie ends comeback bid  —  Concussion issues force infielder to walk away from game  —  MESA, Ariz. — When Corey Koskie first suffered a concussion in 2006, he was abruptly forced out of the game he loved and spent 2 1/2 years in what he called his “personal jail.”

A Patch of Green: Yankees Sod for Sale  —  BRIDGETON, N.J. — Just when it seemed that all the sports-licensing ideas had been exhausted — coffins with team logos, unveiled a few years ago, could have reasonably been the presumed end — along comes something that has been growing in plain sight all along.

Jays' rotation door wide open  —  Eight pitches into yesterday's exhibition start against the Rays, Jays rookie left-hander Brad Mills had allowed two runs on a walk followed by a homer by left-handed hitting Carl Crawford.  —  Big picture, it seems the Jays have a wide-open race for the final …

Nats sign catcher Bard to Minors deal  —  Backstop expected to join club at Spring Training in a few days  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals signed catcher Josh Bard to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training on Saturday.  Bard is expected to join the club in a couple of days.

Stephen Strasburg Price Tag  —  By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 21 at 12:35pm CST]  —  ESPN.com's Peter Gammons heard from some club officials that top amateur pitcher Stephen Strasburg and his agent, Scott Boras, could demand $50MM over six years if he's selected first overall by the Nationals in the June draft.

Drew's hand, Youkilis's foot  —  Kevin Youkilis took batting practice wearing sneakers, sans plastic boot on his left foot, while J.D. Drew did not participate with the Red Sox during their morning workout.  Youkilis is hopeful he'll play in a game Monday, while Drew was unsure of how long …

Second-Day Candidates  —  LOS ANGELES—Understandably, the majority of attention and publicity for the draft is focused on the top prospects.  In Southern California in 2009, that list would include Stephen Strasburg, Grant Green, Tyler Matzek and Tyler Skaggs, to name a select few.

Padres Looking For Relievers  —  By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 21 at 10:17am CST]  —  According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney the Padres are aggressively looking for relief help.  They could fill as many as four bullpen spots with pitchers they pick up through trades or waivers.