Red Sox are preseason No. 1  —  The Boston Red Sox finished second in their division and second in the American League in 2008.  But according to ESPN.com's preseason Power Rankings, they are second to none heading into the 2009 season.  —  ESPN.com asked 15 of ESPN's leading baseball experts …

New stadiums a big hit with fans  —  Welcome to the Taj Mahals of baseball.  —  The new Yankee Stadium and the Mets' Citi Field opened their gates for their first games Friday, ushering in a new level of luxury to baseball - and wonder to fans.  —  “It's amazing, I love it,” declared Dan Bastian …

DePodesta now reports to Towers  —  Jeff Moorad has restructured the Padres' front office so that executive vice-president Paul DePodesta will report to General Manager Kevin Towers.  —  Both Towers and DePodesta called the result “business as usual,” but each acknowledged that it might clear …

Bondy: Spoils of Victory  —  A pull-down laptop hung Friday above Mariano Rivera's locker, which is no longer in the corner of a small room but now along one side of a ballroom-sized clubhouse.  Rivera was showing off a shoulder scar when he was asked what he thought about all of this …

Lineups, with Youk back in  —  NEW YORK — Though Kevin Youkilis was ill enough yesterday with “intestinal turmoil,” as manager Terry Francona put it, the first baseman is back in the lineup today.  Francona said Youkilis wanted to get a couple of at bats in today in anticipation of Monday's opener.

Sheffield agrees to deal with Mets  —  The Mets have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Gary Sheffield, studio analyst Harold Reynolds has told MLB.com and MLB Network.  —  Sheffield, who has hit 499 homers in his career, was released by the Tigers on Tuesday.

Corona sent to Double-A  —  We found out yesterday that Reegie Corona (right) had been placed on waivers, today comes news from Pete Abraham that Corona has come back from the Mariners organization and been assigned to Double-A Trenton.  I'm hoping for a returned phone call so I can ask …

Kearns favored for right field  —  Dukes, Willingham reduced to possible bench roles  —  NORFOLK, Va. — The word went out Friday, and manager Manny Acta knows that it's going to make some Nationals unhappy.  —  That's OK.  —  “You know what?  I'd rather have two or three guys …

Rockies, Rays Could Make Deal Soon  —  Trade talks between the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the rare teams with surplus pitching, and the Colorado Rockies have resumed, with an official with one of the teams telling FanHouse, “Something may happen this weekend.”  —  The Rockies are in need of pitching.

Pena earns spot on Royals' roster  —  Veteran shortstop can also fill in at second or third base  —  FRISCO, Texas — Backup shortstop Tony Pena Jr. has made the roster, and the 11-man pitching staff has been virtually set, manager Trey Hillman said before Friday night's exhibition game against Texas.

Spring Training Evaluations  —  Warning: Evaluating players in spring training can be hazardous to your baseball well-being.  —  Back in the spring of 1997 I was just starting my first season as the advance scout for the Cleveland Indians.  Excited to get to the ballpark every day to get some looks …

Reds Settle Their Position Logjams  —  As with any organization, the last week of spring training for the Reds has brought lots of questions about where different players will start the season.  There were questions about where top prospect Yonder Alonso would be sent (he's headed to high Class A Sarasota) …