Source: Rays talking to Johnny Damon  —  The Tampa Bay Rays are in discussions with free agent Johnny Damon to fill their vacant designated hitter spot and play some left field.  But a source familiar with the negotations said a report that Damon is close to agreement on a deal with the club is “very premature.”

Lucchino anxious for 2011 season to start  —  BOSTON - Anytime you can hear the State of the Red Sox from a member of ownership, it's always interesting.  —  Team president and CEO Larry Lucchino was awarded with the Fuchs Award for meritorious service to baseball by the Boston Baseball Writers at the annual dinner Thursday night.

Lt. Johnston finally reporting for duty  —  Jonathan Johnston turns 27 next month.  Ideally, he would be entering his fifth full season of professional baseball.  By now, he should have reached Triple A — maybe even the majors.  The Oakland A's might be talking about him as a potential backup catcher …

Prospect Watch: Top 10 right-handed pitchers  —  Hellickson, Teheran, Drabek head list of potential future aces … The adage about never having enough pitching has some truth to it, and there appears to be plenty of pitching coming up through Minor League systems.

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)  —  After winning back-to-back National League West titles and making consecutive NL Championship Series appearances in 2008-09, the Dodgers fell to fourth place last year.  As if its first losing record since 2005 wasn't bad enough …

New Met Young: My arm is ready to go  —  It was with little surprise that Mets manager Terry Collins announced Wednesday that he was handing the ball to Mike Pelfrey as his opening day starter.  And a day later the Mets officially secured the final piece of their rotation when Chris Young passed …

Yankees reach deal with Jones … The Yankees have reached an agreement with veteran outfielder Andruw Jones on a one-year deal worth $2 million plus $1.2 million in performance bonuses.  —  Jones, 33, is a veteran of 15 seasons in which he has made five All-Star teams and won 10 Gold Glove awards.

Mariners Reduce Peguero's Bonus To $1.1 Million  —  Dominican shortstop Esteilon Peguero, who signed with the Mariners for $2.9 million in December, has had his bonus reduced to $1.1 million, according to international sources.  —  Peguero, 17, originally signed with the Mariners on Dec. 7 …

Cardinals Sign Nick Punto  —  The Cardinals announced that they signed Nick Punto to a one-year deal, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach (on Twitter).  Agent Charles Schneider represents the longtime Twin.  —  Punto hit .238/.313/.302 in 288 plate appearances for Minnesota last year.

Reds, Cueto Agree To Four-Year Extension  —  The Reds and right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto have agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $27MM, tweets Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com.  Reds GM Walt Jocketty says the deal is not done but confirms that the sides are close, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is damaging its legacy  —  Ray Doswell is on the phone.  You might know that he is the interim president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and you might know that place is in serious trouble.  —  Ray is a good man.  Smart, passionate, thoughtful.

Hearing to begin over Bonds perjury trial evidence  —  SAN FRANCISCO—The refusal of a convicted steroids dealer to testify at Barry Bonds' perjury trial has already left the prosecution without key evidence, and the defense wants even more of it barred.  —  Just how much damage Greg Anderson's decision …