METS SIGN GARY SHEFFIELD  —  The Mets today signed Gary Sheffield with an eye on giving him significant playing time, according to three people involved in the talks.  —  One person who talked directly to Sheffield said the slugger preferred the Mets over the Phillies because he sees …

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 …

Gwynn clears waivers; club claims Koshansky  —  [UPDATED at 1:20 p.m. CT... Added some thoughts from assistant GM Gord Ash and corrected my note on Koshansky, who actually came from the Rangers after a 4-day stay in that organization.]  —  Tony Gwynn Jr. is staying put.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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?