METS CLOSE TO SIGNING SHEFFIELD  —  The Mets were closing in on signing Gary Sheffield, likely today, with an eye on giving him significant playing time, according to three people involved in the talks.  —  “Unless something drastic happens, he is a Met,” one of the sources said.

Mets Get a Late-Night Sneak Preview of Citi Field  —  Out from the buses they spilled, marching through a gate, down a corridor and around a corner until, finally, there it was.  Home.  The Mets' shiny, new clubhouse awaited.  And as Carlos Delgado poked his head inside at about 10:55 p.m. Thursday …

Ichiro placed on DL; had bleeding ulcer  —  This press release just arrived from the Mariners.  I want to post it right away to get the word out.  This is obviously a blow to the team.  I'll try to get a handle on the ramifications as quickly as I can.  —  MARINERS OUTFIELDER ICHIRO SUZUKI …

Jeter-Wright showdown to help kids  —  This season, it's not just about Mets versus Yankees, it's about David Wright versus Derek Jeter - and it's personal.  —  Because each time the superstars step up to the plate, they'll be competing against each other for a $100,000 payoff from Delta Air Lines - to their favorite charity.

IN TOUGH TIMES, A MONUMENT TO GREED  —  IT IS beautiful, of course.  But in the way that a woman who went to the world's best plastic surgeon might be beautiful.  It is supposed to remind you of the previous incarnation, and ends up feeling artificial and overdone.

Watch NY ballparks debut for free  —  New ballparks.  —  New media player.  —  New season.  —  As a final buildup to the moments everyone has been waiting for, MLB.com is giving all fans a free public beta test stream of all four games in the exhibition series that bring …

Angels looking to Abreu to help ease loss of Teixeira  —  Bobby Abreu runs back to the dugout after popping out in the fifth inning during the Angels' 6-2 exhibition loss to the Dodgers on Thursday.  The Angels are hoping Abreu will put up big numbers at the plate this season.

Out of Options, Casto Is Fighting for Roster Spot With Nats  —  Kory Casto does not know if he will make the Washington Nationals' roster.  Maybe a decision has already been made.  Maybe the front office already knows it will cut him, and nobody yet has delivered the news.

Batting Around with Sulbaran  —  Classic phenom a blister away from pro debut in Reds system  —  Batting Around is a series that provides an inside look at Minor League prospects' personalities, quirks and hidden talents as well as their baseball lives via question-and-answer format.

Yankees' average ticket ($72.97) highest by far  —  The Yankees have fallen behind the Red Sox on the field in recent years, but they now are ahead of them in at least one category: the amount of money their fans must shell out to watch them.  —  According to Team Marketing Report …

Some unsolicited advice: Don't sign Sheffield  —  At dawn's early light, after a night of reflection, here's my take on signing Gary Sheffield:  —  Don't.  —  Why should the Cincinnati Reds take on a 40-year-old DH when the National League doesn't have a DH?