Rays acquire Aybar from Braves  —  The Rays have acquired infielder Willy Aybar from the Braves, bringing aboard a utility infielder who could play third base if Evan Longoria doesn't break camp with the major-league team.  Aybar, who turns 25 in March, missed all of last season with an injury and off-the-field issues.

Pena thrilled to get 3 years, $24.125-million  —  The Rays have agreed to a three-year deal with team MVP Carlos Pena for $24.125-million, the Times has learned.  —  The team confirmed the deal with an announcement shortly before 1 p.m.  —  “It's awesome,” Pena said this morning from the Dominican Republic.

Martinez could be key to Mets getting Santana  —  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,” …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Melvin has no interest in Feliz  —  In response to several postings on the Brewers Blog in recent days, I just wanted to pass on that general manager Doug Melving assured me last night he has no interest in signing free agent third baseman Pedro Feliz.  —  Readers noted one report …

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.

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 …

The All-Clean Team  —  Chipper, A-Rod head list of players worth believing in  —  The hardest part of this whole Steroids Period in baseball — sounds much less ominous than Steroids Era, doesn't it? — is figuring out who and what to believe.  I'm not talking Roger Clemens vs. Brian McNamee here …

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.