Braves ink Redman to minor-league deal  —  The Altanta Braves, acting quickly to replace injured left-hander Mike Hampton, have signed free agent lefty Mark Redman to a minor-league contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Redman will pitch for the Braves Saturday in a Grapefruit League game …

Mets tell Sanchez to stay home for 2nd day  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Duaner Sanchez's "one-day" absence has stretched into a second day.  The Mets told the injured reliever to stay home again on Friday as a continuing disciplinary measure because of repeated latenesses.

Let's Make a Deal!  —  In a market that values a league-average starting pitcher at $10 million a season guaranteed for performance that is decidedly not so, finding five guys who fit that description isn't easy.  Looking around, there aren't five teams who, even in hopeful sunshine of March …

Lou says there's no room for Pie  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — No matter how you slice it, Felix Pie is out.  That's the message Cubs manager Lou Piniella clearly delivered after another impressive performance by the touted young center fielder Thursday against the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex.

The Best Benches in the National League  —  Earlier this week, I took a look at the best benches in the American League.  Naturally, it's time to switch our focus to the senior circuit.  —  In general, benches appear to be a little weaker in the National League.

Hope and Faith  —  How the Milwaukee Brewers Can Win the World Series … —Bud Selig  —  These aren't Bud Selig's Brewers.  Selig may have brought baseball back to Beer City, maybe swindled a big freaky stadium out of the state, and he may be a peachy commissioner …

Another Reason Baseball Players Shouldn't MySpace  —  This is CJ Wilson, a reliever for the Texas Rangers, an up-and-comer, a LOOGY, if you will.  He also has a MySpace page and is pals with teammate Brandon McCarthy, who also has a MySpace page.  They're buddies, along with, as always …

Rocket signals  —  Yankees eager to give Clemens $4 million per month  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees took advantage of Roger Clemens' attendance at Legends Field on Wednesday to ask Clemens back to the Bronx, SI.com has learned.  —  However, Clemens' answer to the Yankees didn't exactly clear up the situation.

An expert's take on Rays … ESPN's Peter Gammons might know more about baseball than anyone on the planet.  In the 1970s and '80s, his full-page Sunday columns in the Boston Globe became a must read not only for sports fans but baseball executives.  He went on to work for Sports Illustrated …

There's another side to Hamilton story  —  The Josh Hamilton story is a great one.  Good for him.  It is nice to see Hamilton overcome his demons and start to thrive again.  Baseball is a game of redemption; when you fail there is always a chance to bounce back.

Baseball Bends on TV Plan, but Doubts Linger  —  Major League Baseball does not like the terminology, but it appears to have buckled to pressure from devoted fans irate that the Extra Innings package of out-of-market games would be the exclusive property of DirecTV.  —  Appears is the operative word.

Andruw Jones ready to strike gold  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Andruw Jones shuffles through the Atlanta Braves' clubhouse, full of bravado and bluster, the voice rising as he switches easily from English to Spanish to rant about some perceived slight during batting practice.  —  Not to worry.

Rowand talk resurfacing  —  Former Sox OF could return since Phils need relievers  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — There may indeed be a familiar face from the 2005 World Series team getting a deal done with the White Sox this spring — just not Mark Buehrle, as was erroneously reported on a Chicago radio station.

State of the Systems, AL Central  —  This year's State Of The Systems features some new categories, so before we get going, some explanation.  — 2007 Rookies: Simple enough: what first-year players will contribute in the big leagues this year.  — Minor League Road Trip …

Brother's Departure for Iraq Weighs On Church's Family  —  Thursday afternoon was officially Armed Forces Appreciation day at Space Coast Stadium, and the Washington Nationals marked the occasion by wearing blue camouflage hats in their 12-5 victory over the Houston Astros.