MARK CUBAN IN MEGABUCKS BID FOR CUBS  —  Billionaire blogger Mark Cuban is more serious about buying a major league baseball team than he's been letting on.  The tech entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner is set to offer $625 million to buy the Chicago Cubs from Tribune Co., according to a source familiar with the matter.

New Cub Marquis opens spring games  —  Righty channels Maddux as he begins journey with Chicago  —  MESA, Ariz. — Jason Marquis doesn't look like Greg Maddux, and doesn't have the same career numbers as Greg Maddux, but he has the same mindset.  At least, that's Michael Barrett's take on the new Cubs pitcher.

Report: Athletes received illegal 'roids via online ring  —  The West Coast had BALCO.  Now the East Coast could be in the midst of its own steroid scandal.  —  An illicit steroid distribution network, which may be responsible for Internet sales of performance-enhancing drugs nationwide …

Ramirez 'at peace' here: Agent: Slugger wants to stick with Red Sox  —  FORT MYERS - Forget about whether or not Manny Ramirez [stats] arrived early or late for spring training.  —  Red Sox spring training:  —  Now, he never wants to leave.  —  Ramirez' agent yesterday said the slugger wants …

Notes: Hall's outfit adds humor to camp  —  Outfielder lightens mood by unveiling spandex gear  —  PHOENIX — Who says Spring Training workouts aren't any fun?  —  Bill Hall injected some laughs into Brewers camp Wednesday morning, when the position players were timed in the 60-yard dash on a back field at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Ramirez Ready  —  But Francona Will Hold Him Back  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Manny Ramirez is eager to make up for lost time.  But the left fielder, who arrived in camp Monday, six days after the reporting date for position players, will have to wait to make his debut.

Notes: Benson hoping to avoid surgery  —  Right-hander rehabbing in four-week program at spring camp  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — It's only five days into a four-week rehabilitation program, but Kris Benson can already feel a difference in his pitching shoulder.

Kielty to have knee scoped; Kotsay frustrated  —  PHOENIX — Oakland Athletics outfielder Bobby Kielty has a torn meniscus in his left knee that will require arthroscopic surgery in the coming days, sidelining him for three-to-six weeks.  —  Kielty, who came to camp in the best shape of his career …

Are Cards in Rocket's orbit?  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Described more as fanciful thinking than a realistic hope, the Cardinals recently told agents representing seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens that they are interested should the 44-year-old expand his list of potential 2007 landing spots beyond Houston, New York and Boston.

Pirates rout Manatee College, 8-1, in exhibition opener  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Cuban defector Yoslan Herrera pitched two perfect innings in the Pirates' 8-1 exhibition-opening rout of Manatee Community College today at McKechnie Field.

Granderson, Miller make the long trip worth it  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Most of the Tiger regulars were spared the long bus ride across the state, but Curtis Granderson made the trip.  Granderson went 1-for-4 as the Tigers' DH in today's 5-4 win over the Mets, but the one hit may well have been worth it.