Chipper close to contract extension  —  Deal would likely allow veteran to finish career with Braves  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It appears Chipper Jones may get his wish to remain with the Braves throughout his entire career.  —  A Major League source has indicated that Jones and the Braves …

NL CENTRAL PREVIEW  —  The division preview series continues with the big one, the six team National League Central.  I'm rating the core of the team, the eight position players, five starters and closer by value wins or WAR.  —  Chicago Cubs  — Position player WAR: 28.0  — Starters WAR: 15.7

Spring training: McCutchen's demotion has asterisk  —  Pirates can delay free agency by keeping top prospect in minors for stint  —  Left: Andrew McCutchen — 22, hit .318 with two HRs, seven RBIs and two steals this spring.  Right: Brian Bixler — 26, batted .345 with three RBIs and three steals this spring

A big night for The YES Network  —  The YES Network can be mystifying.  Why, for instance, will only two of the 12 Yankees games from March 20 to April 1 televised?  That's just when spring training gets interesting.  And why do they need so many announcers?  Why is Kim Jones not used during the game to report news?

Dodgers sign reliever Ohman  —  One-year deal for left-hander includes an April 14 opt-out clause  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers signed free-agent left-handed reliever Will Ohman to a one-year Minor League contract plus a one-year option, the club announced Monday.

Lasorda defends former Dodgers catcher Piazza on steroid allegations in new book  —  It's going to take more than accusations from former players to make Tommy Lasorda doubt Mike Piazza.  —  Piazza, a former Dodgers catcher, was one of a handful of players singled out as a steroid user …

McJaygate: Day 31  —  Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler learned Feb. 28 he was discussed in a three-team trade proposal that would have sent him to Tampa Bay and Matt Cassel to Denver.  The deal didn't happen, but Cutler has since been on the outs with the man who considered trading him, new coach Josh McDaniels.

Astros load up truck for trip to Texas  —  After seven weeks in Florida, club preparing to head home  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Astros played on the road Monday afternoon, but there was plenty of hustle and bustle at the home complex in the morning as the support staff prepared for its long-awaited journey home.

Joe Angel on Sunday's ‘rainout’  —  Orioles radio voice Joe Angel e-mailed the following message about Sunday's broadcast, which was ended during a rain delay and didn't return when the game resumed:  —  To ALL Orioles Fans.....Fred And I had nothing to do with the decision to

Mariners bat Ichiro third as experiment  —  Regular leadoff man dropped in lineup for one-game test  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The large lineup card posted on one of the double doors leading into the clubhouse caused some double-takes on Monday morning.  —  Batting third for the Mariners …

Welcome to the new Moneyball  —  Less talk about the economy and more about the money players of 2009  —  First off, let's all agree on one thing: Money is an excellent invention.  And we're all in favor of accumulating as much of it as possible.  —  But now let's agree on something else …

Praise all around for Perez  —  Manuel, Warthen and hurler himself pleased with Monday's outing  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The pendulum swung back on Monday night.  Oliver Perez provided some evidence that he has recovered from the effects of his World Baseball Classic sabbatical and is now fit for regular-season duty.

Philadelphia Phillies officially rule out Cole Hamels for opener  —  Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Monday afternoon that Cole Hamels was officially out of the running for an opening-night start this Sunday against the Braves.  Instead, he'll pitch in an exhibition game Saturday against Tampa Bay in Philadelphia.

Takahashi signs minor deal  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets signed reliever Ken Takahashi to a minor-league contract today after the Japanese left-hander was released earlier in the day by the Blue Jays.  Takahashi, 39, had appeared in one exhibition game with Toronto after spending …

Tigers land outfielder Josh Anderson from Braves  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Tigers filled the outfield vacancy on their bench today by acquiring Josh Anderson from the Atlanta Braves in return for minor league pitcher Rudy Darrow.  —  As explained by general manager Dave Dombrowski …

The 2009 Diamond Mind Projection Blowout - American League Edition  —  Opening Day is almost here, so it's time to present my annual Diamond Mind Projection blowout.  The idea behind this is to take several projection systems and run the 2008 season through Diamond Mind Baseball …