Wright wants Shea-Rod  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Can you imagine Alex Rodriguez in a Mets uniform in 2008?  It's not just impossible, you say, it's heresy.  Or is it?  The idea of A-Rod crossing enemy lines has strong support from none other than David Wright - who says he'd give …

Santana eager to negotiate new deal with Twins … FORT MYERS, Fla. — Despite the fact the he won't be a free agent until after the 2008 season, Johan Santana says that the Minnesota Twins should try to sign him to a long-term extension sooner rather than later.

Healthy Pavano Can Focus on Pitching for Yankees  —  Carl Pavano made a spring training start Sunday, and sure enough, the Yankees' trainer was on the field after one batter.  He was there to check on the left fielder, José Tábata, who had fallen to the ground in pursuit of a fly ball.

Prospectus Q&A  —  Reid Nichols … David Laurila: What brought you to Milwaukee, and what approach did you bring to the table when you became the team's Director of Player Development?  —  Reid Nichols: I had been in Texas for eight years—seven as farm director and the last as the Rangers …

Making of an MVP  —  Reyes ready to run away with award from leadoff spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - MVP voters dig the longball.  But, says Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, don't count out Jose Reyes stealing the award in the not-too-distant future, despite a power infatuation that sometimes shortchanges leadoff men.

Race remains an issue, but for different reasons  —  Spring training invites hope throughout baseball, with one exception.  When it comes to black Americans returning to the game or even embracing it in great numbers, there's no hope.  —  Here at the Mets' camp, only a handful of players are black.

What a relief!  McCarthy covets fresh start  —  He wasn't very happy in Chicago, but he has potential to thrill Rangers, writes Phil Rogers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Brandon McCarthy still doesn't get it.  —  But in dealing with the surprising off-season trade that sent him from the White Sox …

Grudzielanek due surgery after exam reveals torn knee cartilage  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Veteran second baseman Mark Grudzielanek became the Royals' first major spring casualty Sunday when an examination revealed torn cartilage in his left knee.  —  Grudzielanek left camp in late morning for Kansas City …

Maine impresses as Mets fall to O's  —  Righty tosses two scoreless innings; Humber allows five runs  —  ORIOLES 6, METS 3  —  Mets at the plate: Outfielder Lastings Milledge tripled with one out in the second inning but wound up stranded on third base.  David Newhan singled in the third …

Good afternoon from Fort Myers  —  Good afternoon from Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers:  —  A quiet Sunday before the big spring training matchup between Curt Schilling and Cy Young winner Johan Santana.  Here are a few notes from the early part of the day:  — Early morning at the Sox complex was quiet.

Crosby takes BP for first time this spring  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Oakland Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby faced live pitching Sunday for the first time this spring and showed no lingering effects from the back injury that sidelined him for the final two months last season.

Barrett: Putting punch in past top priority  —  'It's not always how you swing the bat or how you play the game that sets you apart.'  —  MESA, Ariz. — Michael Barrett is tough.  He doesn't flaunt it and it's not in his nature to talk about it, but few guys in the Cubs' clubhouse can take what this catcher has shown he can take.

Notes: Patterson kicks off his spring  —  Zimmerman to discuss contract on Sunday; Schneider's a dad  —  VIERA, Fla. — Right-hander John Patterson made his first start of the exhibition season on Saturday afternoon and gave up one run in two innings against the Orioles.  —  It was his first start since July 9, 2006.

Sheldon Ocker's the write stuff  —  Sheldon:  —  It's amazing.  With starting pitching at such a premium in the big leagues, I can't believe the Indians let this kid (Jeremy Guthrie) go.  He's a former No. 1 pick.  He's healthy.  He's young.  And they didn't get squat for him.

Moores is world serious  —  'Why not?' asks Padres' impressionable chairman  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - John Moores says a World Series title isn't out of the question for the Padres this year.  —  "I was obviously disappointed as hell in the postseason - but I think this team potentially is a notch …

Pineiro doesn't bolster his case for closing  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — At least from a contractual basis, Joel Pineiro and the Red Sox are hedging their bets regarding what role he will perform this season.  —  Pineiro made his second appearance of the spring yesterday and was tagged for four runs …