Will Royals' many phenoms bring me back?  —  This is a good time to be a Royals fan.  —  Well, a patient Royals fan, anyway.  The Royals might lose 100 games this year.  Might lose 105.  Fans who don't believe in crystal balls might not suffer 100 losses gladly.  —  Me, though?  I'm patient.

Hank: ‘We just have to (bleeping) win’  —  TAMPA — For Hank's Yanks, with spring training just around the corner, this is the bottom line: Whatever it takes to win championship No. 28.  —  Hank Steinbrenner, the Yankees co-chairman, is fired up for the 2011 season — even without Cliff Lee in pinstripes.

Yankees Sign Bartolo Colon  —  Nine years ago, Bartolo Colon was a stud pitcher on his way to a 20-win season.  As talk of relocation continued, the Montreal Expos went all in, shipping prospects Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore to Cleveland for Colon.

Source: “very strong possibility” that Andy Pettitte pitches in 2011  —  A source close to Andy Pettitte tells me that there is a “very strong possibility” that Pettitte is going to pitch in 2011.  He is doing his usual preseason workouts and has had no physical issues thus far.

Rockies sign Amezaga, Moeller to Minors deals  —  DENVER — Utility man Alfredo Amezaga, who was briefly with Colorado before making a Major League impact elsewhere, has re-joined the Rockies on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the club announced Wednesday.

Yankees GM hints at move to center, not third, for Jeter  —  Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bernie Williams . . . Derek Jeter?  —  It's not happening anytime soon, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman delivered the first hint at Jeter's future yesterday while answering a question at a Q&A with fans at a Manhattan restaurant.

Is Michael Young the next piece of Jays' puzzle?  —  Could it happen?  Michael Young playing third base for the Blue Jays on opening day 2011 and Jose Bautista moving back to his preferred position of right field?  —  That scenario, if followed, could lead to the home-run king beginning serious negotiations …

Duke on the Os, handling NY & why he won't be a relief option  —  Free agent Justin Duchscherer, considered one of the best starting pitchers still on the market, said Tuesday evening that physically he feels “pretty much 100 percent” and shot down the notion that his previous depression issues …

Angels' Trout named MLB.com's top prospect  —  Speedy outfielder heads list of top 50 up-and-coming players  —  ANAHEIM — An exceptional athlete with the frame and speed of a free safety and the full-tilt attitude of a young Pete Rose, outfielder Mike Trout now stands alone as the biggest fish …

Angels, Jered Weaver begin talks  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have opened discussions about a long-term contract extension for ace right-hander Jered Weaver, owner Arte Moreno said Wednesday.  —  Weaver, 28, would be a free agent following the 2012 season.

Three Out of Three Doctors Agree  —  The writer Murray Chass, in his January 23 blog entry, re-visited his oft-cited idea that he knows Mike Piazza took steroids, since he saw “back acne” on Piazza while interviewing him in the New York Mets' clubhouse during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.  Chass wrote:

O's have had recent conversations with Guerrero; sides not close to deal  —  The Orioles have spoken to free agent slugger Vladimir Guerrero's agent this week, but the two sides are not close to a deal.  “We've had some conversations, but there is nothing on the horizon,” …

Rangers CEO: We helped Phillies get Cliff Lee  —  CLEARING MY HEAD, cluttering yours . . .  Next time you're venting about how much you hate Dallas, or Texas, or Dallas, Texas, you might want to reconsider.  —  Because Cliff Lee might be a Yankee without the help of some people down there.