Zambrano, Cubs deftly avoid arbitration  —  Just before hearing, parties ink one-year, $12 million deal  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano reached agreement Tuesday on a one-year, $12 million contract and avoided arbitration.  —  The Cubs had hoped to settle before a 2 p.m. MST hearing at the Phoenix Hyatt.

'I had a mental breakdown'  —  Logan's rapid rise led to rocky start to big-league career  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Boone Logan's big-league season was spiraling downward even before he stepped on the mound last May 16 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  —  The loud thud heard over the next 1 2/3 innings …

Notes: Alomar Jr. inks Minors deal  —  Veteran catcher could be third family member to play for club  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Sandy Alomar Sr. played with the Mets in briefly in 1964, Robbie Alomar had an uneven tenure with the Mets in 2002 and into 2003, and now a third Alomar …

Defiant Barry's back  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — His sixth swing of the day, of the year, produced a massive shot, a home run well over Scottsdale Stadium's wall in right-centerfield.  It might as well have been 2001 again.  —  With that, Barry Bonds exited the batting cage …

Notes: Eye surgery helping Peralta  —  Shortstop expects restored vision to benefit all aspects of game  —  WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Looking in to read catcher Victor Martinez's signs from his shortstop position, all Jhonny Peralta could see was a fuzzy blur.

Los Angeles Dodgers  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …

Closing time  —  The biggest question of spring training (who will close for this team?) was discussed again today by Red Sox execs, who made some interesting comments.  —  In an interview with the Globe's Gordon Edes that will air on NESN tomorrow night, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein hinted …

The Best Young Third Basemen of 2007  —  This week, I will continue my position-by-position review of the game's best players by examining young third basemen.  The following list differs from traditional prospect lists in two ways.  First, anyone under 25 is eligible.

Jeter's take: So what?  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Derek Jeter this morning insisted his relationship with Alex Rodriguez is just fine in the workplace — but he vehemently declined to discuss their friendship off the field.  —  "How would I characterize it?"  Jeter said, repeating a question about their current relationship.

Stats Geek: Imperfect combination  —  Some question Jack Wilson for calling Jose Castillo on the carpet, but the stats bear out that double-play drop-off rests with second baseman.  —  Peter Diana, Post-Gazette  —  Jack Wilson, starting a double play with a diving stop and a flip …

Matsui not looking in past  —  Rockies prefer to see promise, not failure with Mets  —  TUCSON - The Rockies saw enough from Kaz Matsui in the final six weeks of last season that they are willing to ignore what he did in slightly more than two years with the New York Mets.

Pride signs former Red Sox reliever Rich Garces  —  NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Rich Garces has signed with the Nashua Pride.  —  Garces, nicknamed "El Guapo," had a 10-year career in the major leagues, playing for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins and the Red Sox.

Larkin's Busy Season At Hand  —  Felipe Lopez plopped down at his locker Monday, and Barry Larkin sat directly next to him.  For 10 minutes, they discussed playing the infield — the beginning of a discussion that will last the whole spring.  —  Larkin, the longtime Cincinnati Reds shortstop …