Mauer catches a long-term deal  —  Four years, $33 million cements future with hometown team  —  There was one thing that catcher Joe Mauer couldn't wait to tell Twins general manager Terry Ryan when he talked to him on Sunday morning — that he couldn't be more excited to be behind the plate …

Trouble brewing for Dice: Pitchman's beer ad catches flak  —  Daisuke Matsuzaka has yet to throw his first pitch for the Red Sox [team stats], but his beer-chugging sales pitch intended only for Japanese TV audiences is raising eyebrows and some concern half a world away.  —  Daisuke ad:

Napoli eats up new diet  —  Catcher drops weight, adds muscle and hopes to avoid power drought in second half of last season.  —  Mike Napoli's second-half fade at the plate carried into the off-season, but the result wasn't a lengthy winter-ball slump.  The Angels catcher shed 15 pounds …

Interview - Charley Steiner - Broadcasting  —  There's something about Charley Steiner that makes you smile and puts you at ease.  —  Maybe it's that the jovial attitude that seems to cross the airwaves when you see or hear him.  Maybe it's the fact that Charley was always happy to make fun …

Deep Breath as Pitchers Rethink Routines  —  A dozen of the best pitching prospects in baseball lay side by side in the dark, their eyes closed, their mouths shut, their minds open.  —  They pulled their sweatshirt hoods over their faces.  They let their feet dangle over their yoga mats.

Notes: Traber out to get back on track  —  Left-hander working on mechanics to win starting role  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Billy Traber is one of 12 pitchers who are looking to join John Patterson in the starting rotation, and Traber knows he has a lot to prove to manager Manny Acta.

Braves re-sign RHP Villareal, avoiding arbitration  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Pitcher Oscar Villareal agreed to a $925,000, one-year contract Sunday with Braves, who settled with their only player still in arbitration.  —  The right-hander could make another $100,000 in bonuses based on how many games he starts and finishes.

Wallace Matthews  —  3's a crowd....pleaser  —  New York is a baseball town.  Always has been, always will be.  —  How much do we love baseball around here?  —  Last year, more than 7.5 million people went to baseball games in New York.  This year, the figure will be closer to 8 million.

Retooled D-Backs up stakes  —  After 2 rebuilding seasons, club hopes for NL West title  —  Jeff Moorad was talking with friends recently when an old conversation was revisited.  A year ago this time, Moorad was selling them on the wonders of Orlando Hudson, promising they would love …

Farm-fresh approach to winning  —  The Rangers have committed to the notion that they must build through their farm system.  —  To that end, they aim to make improvements in drafting and developing players, make smart signings in Latin America and hopefully acquire other good, young prospects through trades.

For Nats' Home, a Rapid Ascent  —  Corner-Free Clubhouse Among Unusual Details in Ballpark on Anacostia River  —  During the 2005 baseball season, long before construction began on a stadium for the Washington Nationals, architect Marshall Purnell and others involved in the project toured SBC Park …