Brian Cashman says Yankees still unclear on whether Andy Pettitte will retire or return to Bombers  —  BY STEFAN BONDY IN ARIZONA AND NATHANIEL VINTON IN NEW YORK  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. - Brian Cashman might have given a hint about Andy Pettitte's future Wednesday at the owners' meetings …

Nationals look to replace Harris on bench  —  WASHINGTON — Utility player Willie Harris is not expected to return to the Nationals.  Instead, he will sign with another Major League club as early as this week, according to a baseball source.  —  Two big league teams have made Harris an offer.

Padres close to adding C Gregg Zaun, RHP Chad Qualls  —  The Padres are close to signing a paid of veteran free agent reserves - catcher Gregg Zaun and right-handed reliever Chad Qualls.  —  Zaun, who turns 40 April 19, would join Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz in the competition for the No. catching job behind Nick Hundley.

Angel Pagan says New York Mets, if healthy, can give Philadelphia Phillies a fight in the NL East  —  Angel Pagan knows that much of the baseball world is “talking about Philadelphia” since the Phillies added Cliff Lee to an already-imposing rotation.  But Pagan wants to make sure no one forgets …

Braves claim right-hander Varvaro off waivers  —  ATLANTA — If Anthony Varvaro proves to be as valuable as Eric O'Flaherty has been, the Braves will certainly be happy about their latest attempt to enhance their organization's bullpen depth with a pitcher who had been deemed expendable by the Mariners.

N.C. TV station reports son suspected of killing Vero Beach dad  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Former players who were a part of the Mets 1969 or 1986 championship teams remember what it was like to be on top in New York.  —  It's a feeling the Mets hope to experience once again this season.

Frank Robinson hospitalized after dizzy spell  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Hall-of-Famer Frank Robinson was taken to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital on Thursday morning because of dizziness and an irregular heartbeat, Major League Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney told the media assembled here for this week's ownership meetings.

Wells admits he got ‘too big for my britches’  —  Pitcher apologizes for disappointing sophomore season  —  Sean Marshall, Koyii Hill, Darwin Barney and Jay Jackson entertain kids at Mt. Carmel Academy.  (José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / January 12, 2011)

Mound of facts against Josh Beckett  —  '10 tough to overcome  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  This is one of those good news/bad news things, so let's start with the good news: Jack Morris, David Cone and Dave Stewart are just three All-Stars who endured seasons …

G.O.A.T.  —  The Greatest of All Time.  (AP)  —  One of the primary attractions of statistical analysis, at least for me, is that it can tell you things that aren't readily apparent.  Sometimes, statistics even tell you that what appears to be readily apparent isn't actually true at all.

(2 of 2)  —  “Everybody ahead of him and everybody behind him was in the Hall of Fame,” Lederer said of Blyleven's statistical counterparts.  “It was a play off the Roy Orbison song, ‘Only the Lonely.’ ”  —  The post analyzed Blyleven's baseball statistics and stated that Blyleven deserved …

Atlanta Braves to host Philadelphia Phillies in the 2011 Civil Rights Game on Sunday, May 15  —  Game will highlight an expanded series of events designed by MLB and the Braves to pay tribute to Civil Rights history in Atlanta and nationwide  —  Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves today announced …

Joe Torre expects to talk more to commish Bud Selig about becoming MLB executive VP of operations  —  Joe Torre said Wednesday that he is “definitely interested” in joining Major League Baseball's front office and that he expects to talk further to commissioner Bud Selig at the owners meetings …

Derek Holland not worried about being on the trading block; Josh Hamilton remains hospitalized  —  FORT WORTH - Rangers left-hander Derek Holland has had too much on his mind to worry about his name coming up in potential trade talks.  Holland didn't even know he was mentioned as part …

Scott Boras' big names need homes  —  Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Andruw Jones all still looking for work this offseason  —  Whether you love or hate Scott Boras (and we have a reasonable idea where much of the ticket-buying public stands), it's only fair to give the man his due for his ability …