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.  —  “He's going to help this team; that I can guarantee you,” GM Omar Minaya said.  —  One person who talked directly …

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 …

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 …

Mets open Citi Field with soggy win over Red Sox  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Citi Field was nearly empty when New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel popped out of the dugout and strolled toward the first-base line.  —  A light mist was falling on the white tarp covering the infield …

Thirty breakout candidates, Peavy trade still possible and more notes … I see breakout seasons everywhere.  Thirty of them, to be exact.  —  And here they are ...  1. Paul Maholm, Pirates starter: He was about the best starter down in Florida (2-0, 1.52).

Wright, Jeter team in Batting Challenge  —  Players' foundations to benefit from season-long event  —  NEW YORK — Derek Jeter and David Wright forged a quick friendship after playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.  Now, the Mets and Yankees stars have even more of a reason to keep tabs on each other.

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 …

Y! Experts take a stab at predicting MLB winners  —  Here at Yahoo! Sports Major League baseball preview central, it's standing room only.  Check that.  It's room for standings only.  Our four MLB writers predicted the won-loss records of every team as well as the playoffs and World Series.

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) …

Uehara shines in O's win over Nationals  —  RHP allows two runs, one hit in six innings against Washington in Norfolk  —  NORFOLK, Va. - On his 34th birthday, Koji Uehara saved his best for last, dominating the Washington Nationals in his final tune-up before pitching in a regular season game for the Orioles.