Braves trade Aybar to Tampa Bay  —  Infielder Willy Aybar's troubled career with the Braves ended Thursday, when they traded him and minor-league shortstop Chase Fontaine to Tampa Bay for left-handed reliever Jeff Ridgway.  —  Aybar missed the 2007 season because of injuries and suspension …

Pena gets 3 years, $24-million  —  The Rays have agreed to a three-year deal with team MVP Carlos Pena for more than $24-million, the Times has learned.  —  An announcement is expected later today.  —  Pena, 29, was the consensus American League Comeback Player of the Year after a spectacular season …

Phillies - Ruffin on Kendrick: Don't do what I did  —  BY NOW, THE story is familiar.  How the Phillies, in desperate need of a starting pitcher at midseason, reached all the way down to Double A Reading.  How the kid came up and amazed everyone with his poise and success.

Roger Clemens Hires Top Washington Lawyer  —  Roger Clemens has bolstered his legal team, hiring a powerhouse Washington lawyer, Lanny A. Breuer, who represented former President Bill Clinton during his impeachment hearings as well as numerous corporations that were the subject of Congressional investigations.

Lowell living large  —  Series star enjoys his new celebrity  —  There are perks to being World Series MVP, as Mike Lowell happily recounted yesterday.  —  “I got to shoot an ad today with Rene Russo,” the Red Sox third baseman said before the Boston Baseball Writers dinner at the Westin Waterfront Hotel.

Treanor signs; 3 may go to hearings  —  By noon today the Marlins will have agreements with three more players or will start preparing for three arbitration hearings.  —  Catcher Matt Treanor was the only one of four arbitration-eligible Marlins who signed Thursday, agreeing on a one-year, $705,000 deal.

Wide-open spaces to fill at Petco  —  Infield prospects eyed for outfield  —  In the eyes of Padres manager Bud Black, Matt Antonelli and Chase Headley are far more than prospects.  —  “They are pieces of the puzzle,” Black said yesterday after he watched Antonelli and Headley …

Capuano, Brewers avoid arbitration  —  Left-hander signs one-year, $3.75 million deal for 2008  —  MILWAUKEE — Left-hander Chris Capuano and the Brewers agreed to terms on a one-year deal, reportedly worth $3.75 million late on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

The Biggest Loser  —  Ray King, a 34-year-old lefty trying to make the Nationals this spring, on winning the battle of the bulge  —  I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK great in uniform to be a great ballplayer.  C.C. Sabathia is a big guy, and he won the Cy Young.  Prince Fielder was in the race for MVP.

Selig's term extended through 2012  —  Three-year extension ratified at Thursday's owner's meeting  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Commissioner Bud Selig's contract has been extended by Major League Baseball's 30 owners for three years, taking him through the 2012 season.

Detroit Tigers  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Key to Mets getting Santana could be Martinez  —  Fernando Martinez hasn't played above the Double-A level, but the Mets' young outfield prospect could be the key to acquiring Johan Santana from the Twins.  —  “I sense that [the Mets] have got a deal if Martinez is in it,” …

Rox aim to lock up Tulowitzki  —  NL champs proposing long-term deal for precocious shortstop  —  The Rockies and the agent for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki are expected to begin “intense” negotiations next week in an attempt to finalize a potentially historic long-term contract.

Downs, Chacin among Blue Jays' signings  —  TORONTO - Left-hander Scott Downs agreed Thursday to a US$10-million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays after a breakout season in which he had a 2.17 ERA.  —  Downs went 4-2 in 81 relief appearances, tied for the AL lead.

Athletics agree to terms with Huston Street on one-year contract  —  A's pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 13  —  OAKLAND — The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Huston Street on a one-year contract for the 2008 season.