YANKS EAGER TO CHECK OUT NEW DIGS  —  TAMPA — Christmas in April.  —  That's what several Yankees were feeling on the eve of today's workout at the new Yankee Stadium when many of the players will get their first glimpse of the billion-dollar palace.  —  “I can't wait, I am fired up,” …

Reds to meet with Sheffield Thursday  —  Baker, Jocketty gauging interest in, need for veteran slugger  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The idea of signing Gary Sheffield is still just that — a concept — but it's clearly one that has been given some serious thought.

Citi Field Food Preview: A Culinary Revolution  —  The Mets first official game at their new ballpark, Citi Field, is just two weeks away and what better way to heighten the excitement than with a preview of the unprecedented culinary revolution taking place in Flushing?

Lineup, final edition  —  The Red Sox wrap up their Grapefruit League schedule today at Hammond Stadium against the Twins.  They're working out right now at City of Palms Park, everything in the clubhouse packed away in bags and cardboard boxes.  The Sox will head straight from Hammond to Southwest Florida International Airport.

Balanced Jays hold down Nationals  —  Halladay delivers solid performance in final start before season  —  BLUE JAYS 7, NATIONALS 6  —  Nationals at the plate: Catcher Josh Bard doubled to left field in the second inning and then scored when right fielder Justin Maxwell reached on an error.

Download THT  —  Things keep changing here at the Hardball Times.  Tragically, we lost our good friend John Brattain last week, and, more positively, Josh Kalk moved on to work for the Tampa Bay Rays.  John and Josh were both excellent writers, and we'll miss them both.

New York Mets' David Wright, New York Yankees' Derek Jeter to compete for charity dollars  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Mets' David Wright and the Yankees' Derek Jeter will compete for money for their foundations this season in a batting average contest sponsored by Delta.

Sheppard tale denied  —  The Daily News will show you Yankee Stadium.  Go on the field, into the clubhouse and see how the new stadium was built.  —  Sponsored by:  —  Today's Top Picks … Best Of NYDN.com

Union to Open Ballpark Store to Promote Star Players  —  The Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday will open its first retail outlet devoted to selling player-only merchandise.  —  The store, which will be inside Citi Field and be operated by Aramark, is an attempt …

American League East Preview  —  The big-market Yankees and Red Sox would like to believe what happened last year - the Tampa Bay Rays with their paltry $43 million payroll rising from the depths of last place all the way to the World Series - was a one-year aberration.

Santana salutes Manuel's focus  —  JUPITER, Fla. - The Mets break camp after Thursday's Grapefruit League finale against the Orioles, and Jerry Manuel is ready to get outta here.  —  “I'm ready to go home - go back to New York,” said Manuel, a Sacramento resident.  “I called that home.

Minor League Transactions  —  This time: March 21-30 … Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Released: RHP Santo Baez, C Gerardo Bustamante, 1B Chance Wheeless, OF Jarred Ball, OF Jo Jo Batten  —  Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man roster: OF Alex Romero

Voice of Yankee Stadium Retires  —  The new Yankee Stadium will sound much different than the old one.  Bob Sheppard, the public address announcer for the Yankees since 1951, has retired.  —  Paul Doherty, a friend and agent who has represented Sheppard, said Sheppard's son, Paul, told him about Sheppard's plans on Wednesday morning.

Texas Rangers cut Frank Catalanotto to make room for Andruw Jones  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers have cleared the way for Andruw Jones to make their roster by releasing Frank Catalanotto.  —  Jones, who won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves as Atlanta's center fielder …

Teahen a part of widespread optimism in K.C.  —  Mark Teahen's transition to second base began on a Little League field in Peoria, Ariz., in December.  He went there with his brother and girlfriend to take grounders, and really, it would've made no difference, as he got his work in that day whether …