Hal: ‘No problem’ with Yankees GM  —  Hal Steinbrenner does not think Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is insubordinate.  He does not think Cashman is trying to get fired.  He does not think Cashman is saying anything outrageous publicly.  —  What does the Yankees owner think about his general manager?

A's not giving up on outfield prospect Chris Carter  —  Many reporters were on hand to interview Chris Carter on Thursday at the A's preseason media day.  —  That shows interest remains high in the power-hitting outfielder, even as his stock appears to be low in the eyes of the A's brass.

Yankees waiting on Pettitte, one of many weighing retirement … The Yankees are said to be “frozen” while they continue to wait on Andy Pettitte's decision about whether he intends to play in 2011.  Spring training is only two weeks away, and Pettitte holds the key to the storied team's entire winter.

Wilpons are ‘exploring’ possibility of strategic partnership  —  Craig Calcaterra has a thought-provoking post up at NBC's Hardball Talk, in which he figures, based on what happened with the Texas Rangers, the Wilpons are likely to get an offer they can't refuse.  —  Updated at 1:35 pm:

Mets owner Fred Wilpon happy with new GM Sandy Alderson, expects Mets to be good in 2011  —  Fred Wilpon finished up a story about how even his dogs don't want to go out in the snow anymore by declaring Thursday night, “I'm ready for spring training.”  —  But are the Mets ready, the team's longtime owner was asked?

After a Down Season, Jeter Retools His Swing  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Kevin Long needed a place to demonstrate Derek Jeter's retooled hitting mechanics, so the bar area of a Bonefish Grill on Thursday night just had to suffice.  Long nudged aside a coffee table, assumed the hitting position …

Aardsma not expected back until mid-April  —  SEATTLE — Mariners trainer Rick Griffin confirmed Thursday that closer David Aardsma, who underwent hip labrum surgery three weeks ago, is not expected to be ready to pitch in games until at least the second week of the regular season.

Yankees upset with Texas owner again … The Yankees are again upset about comments made by Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg.  This time, the Yankees believe Greenberg implied in remarks made to fans in Texas Thursday that he got one over on the storied franchise when he made his second trip …

Ken Rosenthal: Part of Daniels knows trading Young is right move  —  Micheal Young (left) hit .284 with 99 runs scored and 91 RBIs in 2010.  —  Ken Rosenthal, baseball writer for Fox Sports, was interviewed on KESN-FM on Thursday and talked about the Texas Rangers and Michael Young.

Video: Brian Wilson wears sea captain costume on George Lopez  —  Not to worry, lovers of half-baked punk rawk-baseball comedy: San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson  —  appears to be in midseason form with his one-off imitation of Andy Dick.  —  Yes, the Bearded One surfaced …

Pondering the Red Sox prospects  —  As I'm sure is the case for many of you, a trip to the mailbox is a challenge these days with all the snow on the ground.  —  But there was a prize waiting yesterday: The Baseball America Prospects Handbook.  —  Jim Callis, Will Lingo …

Bobby Valentine is taking public service very seriously  —  We all shook our heads when Bobby Valentine was named the public safety director for Stamford, Connecticut, but the dude is committed: he was caught on film directing traffic near the I-95 on-ramp this morning.  Click through for the video.