Phillies renew Howard's contract  —  NL MVP nevertheless gets raise from $355,000 to $900,000  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ryan Howard will earn $900,000 in 2007.  —  After exhausting talks with Howard's agent, Casey Close, the Phillies renewed the contract of the reigning National League …

ON THE FAST TRACK  —  FIRE-BALLING BURGOS AIMS FOR METS' BULLPEN  —  Miguel Negron wasn't able to hit it fair or foul it off.  Ambiorix Burgos fired the fastball past him.  —  It came in at 96 mph, the game-ending pitch yesterday in the Mets' 4-3 win over the Cardinals at Tradition Field.

The wait is over: Dice-K to make debut  —  Japanese righty will make spring start against Boston College  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — A moment that has been anticipated since December will finally become reality at roughly 6:05 p.m. ET on Friday night.  That is when Daisuke Matsuzaka will peer …

A-Rod talkin' like Mr. Cub  —  With options open, Alex is still batty over 'father' Piniella  —  While Alex Rodriguez has demonstrated a penchant for self-analysis, the media has provided ample evidence that this is a two-way couch.  —  We hang on A-Rod's every word.  The season is still a month away from opening.

Denny McLain: Tigers resented Kaline; Price had no talent  —  His new book also tells of pitching, prison and starting over — again.  —  Denny McLain has written another book.  It's about himself, of course.  McLain admits he's a narcissist.  —  It's his third autobiography.

Spring fling fine with Jimenez  —  Rotation hopeful is 'making his presence known'  —  TUCSON - Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook are the givens in the Rockies rotation.  —  Rodrigo Lopez was the offseason addition, counted on to step in and help pick up the load left by the trade of Jason Jennings.

Right-hander Matt Cain and Giants agree to 4-year contract that includes option for 2011  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Right-hander Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants agreed Thursday to a $9 million, four-year contract that includes a vesting club option for 2011.

The most mediocre team money can buy  —  Cardinals 6, Marlins 3.  Tigers 5, Mets 4.  Rockies 12, White Sox 4.  Red Sox 4, Twins 4.  —  It's baseball season, baby, baseball season.  —  The big news of the offseason, other than the devastating information that A-Rod and Derek are no longer best friends …

Over and out for Oliver  —  Perez finds plate but gets pounded in spring opener  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - As Oliver Perez warmed up for his first Grapefruit League inning yesterday, a slider slipped from his hand, plunking a Sports Illustrated photographer shooting near the backstop.

Ryan Howard, No Asterisk  —  What would it feel like to inhabit the role that so many have auditioned for across the decades, on ballfields in all 50 states and beyond?  Back foot dug into the batter's box, the grip on the bat firm but relaxed.  The baseball approaches as if in slow motion …

Spring Training Game 1 Live  —  Ok, I'll try my best to live-blog this game.  1:05 PM in Vero Beach at Holman Stadium the Nationals take on the Dodgers.  Shawn Hill is the first starting pitcher against the Jason Schmidt.  The designated hitter will be used in this game:  —  NATIONALS:

10,115 Things We Didn't Know Last Month  —  Three weeks ago, we introduced our baby: CollegeSplits.com.  Since then, it's gone through a massive growth spurt: up from the sample of three teams we initially presented, the site now contains virtually every NCAA Division I player who has appeared in a game this season.

Marlins' Johnson could miss season  —  JUPITER — Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson might miss at least the first month of the season and could be lost for the year because of possible nerve damage in his right arm, sources said Wednesday.  —  Johnson is scheduled to have an MRI today …

Lies, Damned Lies  —  PECOTA Takes on Shortstop Prospects  —  We've got some 'splaining to do.  PECOTA loves shortstop prospects.  It's just that it doesn't love quite the same shortstop prospects as everyone else.  —  Excellent Prospects  —  1. Alexi Casilla, Twins (22) 171.8