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.

Olsen hopes 'wall drill' snaps skid  —  JUPITER — Scott Olsen says he's a better pitcher with his back against the wall.  So, that's exactly the position in which the Marlins left-hander plans to put himself in hopes of reversing his 0-2 start.  —  After allowing three walks and three runs …

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.

Wright would move for A-Rod  —  If Alex Rodriguez decides to opt out of his contract with the Yankees, and the Mets get a do-over with the two-time MVP, David Wright wants him to know he is more than welcome to join him at Shea Stadium next season.  —  And Rodriguez can have his position, too.

Pitcher joins Padres after a harrowing tour of Iraq  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Cooper Brannan, a San Diego Padres pitching prospect, arrived at the team's spring training complex for his first formal workout Sunday in a quest to ultimately become a major leaguer.  —  He stood apart from the other prospects …

60 seconds with Marlins left-hander Paul Mildren  —  Staff writer Joe Capozzi spoke with Marlins left-hander Paul Mildren, who comes from a land down under.  —  Have you gotten over the death of the Crocodile Hunter?  —  That was the day I was leaving Carolina to go back to Australia and it was all over the news.

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 …

Back in the swing  —  Sosa starts in right, belts first homer since Aug. '05  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Sammy Sosa hit his first home run of spring training as the Texas Rangers defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Sunday.  —  Sosa, who has 588 career home runs, hit a 1-1 Luke Hudson pitch …

Angels' Moreno unhappy with uncertainty on Matthews  —  Owner says he expects a resolution by opening day regarding the center fielder's alleged link to human growth hormone shipment.  —  TEMPE, ARIZ. — Angels owner Arte Moreno said Sunday he would not let the uncertain situation surrounding …

Minors report: Salazar working hard  —  Outfielder competing for a spot on Rockies' 2007 roster  —  Hot topic: Left-handed hitting outfield hopeful Jeff Salazar hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and an RBI double in the ninth inning of the Rockies' 9-8 loss to the Angels on Saturday.

Sosa goes deep for first time in 19 months  —  Sammy Sosa had something to hop about for the first time in a while.  —  Showing he's still got some pop in his bat, Sosa hit his first home run in 19 months to help the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Sunday in Surprise, Ariz.

Manny's a changed man, Marlins minor league catcher works Ramirez into offseason frenzy  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - It is no news flash that Manny Ramirez remains somewhat of a mystery.  But there is one relatively unknown piece of information regarding the slugger which might be hard for some to fathom.

Maddux pitches two scoreless innings  —  Gonzalez homers, doubles among three hits for Padres  —  A's 4, Padres 3  —  Padres at the plate: It looked like the same old Adrian Gonzalez as last season, as the first baseman went 3-for-3 with an opposite-field home run and a double.

Cox says he might retire after 2 more years  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Bobby Cox is beginning to think about retirement.  —  While he hasn't made a final decision, the longtime Atlanta Braves manager said Saturday that he might step aside after two more seasons.

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 …