Mattingly steps down as hitting coach  —  Leaves job for family reasons; will be special assignment coach  —  LOS ANGELES — Don Mattingly, named by the Dodgers as hitting coach two months ago and the presumed eventual replacement for new manager Joe Torre, stepped aside on Tuesday …

GM Williams likes his team's balance  —  The word “swagger” continued to be thrown around the offices at 333 W. 35th Street on Tuesday, by the players who will wear White Sox uniforms this season and the man who sits at the general manager's desk.  —  Asked about his team's chances …

Around the Horn: Outfielders  —  Anchored by Beltran, trio looking to provide steady production … The Mets' 2007 season was defined by what wasn't achieved.  In much the same way, the subsequent months have been all about what hasn't been accomplished, the acquisition of a front-of-the-rotation pitcher …

Agent: Cano interested in long-term deal  —  The Yankees could lock up Robinson Cano, their All-Star second baseman, to a long-term deal before he hits free agency.  (Newsday / Paul J. Bereswill)  —  Robinson Cano would be open to the idea of signing a long-term contract with the Yankees, his agent, Bobby Barad, said yesterday.

Ernie Harwell, ageless voice of the Tigers, turns 90 on Friday  —  The ageless voice of the Tigers brings the same energy to his life after baseball  —  Immediately after he awakes Friday on his 90th birthday, Ernie Harwell plans to do a series of exercises.

Notes: Mulder's outlook optimistic  —  Kennedy under microscope; Ankiel addresses leadoff talk  —  ST. LOUIS — Mark Mulder remains uncertain about a timetable for his return to the Cardinals' starting rotation.  He's certain that he already feels better than ever about his chances at eventual effectiveness, though.

Suggested Candidates For Regime Change If Mets Fail In 2008  —  With Spring Training less than a month away, the 2008 Mets will begin to assemble in St. Lucie, Florida, with few changes being made.  After last season's historic collapse, and with a returning cast of older, often injured …

Colon-o-Scopy  —  Monday's Dominican League Finals game featured Bartolo Colon pitching for the Cibao Eagles against his Angels teammate, Ervin Santana.  Since Colon's probably the most prominent unsigned free agent remaining on the market (non-Barry Bonds division), there were likely a number …

Sox uniforms to sport EMC logo during Japan games  —  When the Boston Red Sox take the field in Tokyo in late March for their first two games of the season, they'll be wearing the corporate logo of EMC Corp., the giant data storage firm in Hopkinton.  It's the first time Red Sox players …

Matsui's knee not quite there yet?  —  My Baseball Bias tips us off to this post at the Let's Go Yankees Blog about Hideki Matsui's knee.  Let's Go Yankees Blog sends us to an article on MLB.com's Japanese affiliate.  Got all that?  There will be a quiz.  —  The article, according …

Marquee Value for A-Rod or Santana?  Nearly Impossible  —  On more than one occasion, authors and analysts have worked to try and assign a value of a player, beyond the wins that they may contribute on the field.  Players like Alex Rodriguez, Johan Santana, and others have been talked …

Tigers invite 21 to Spring Training  —  Only Lopez, Perez and Mantei have big league experience  —  DETROIT — Don't count on many “Where-are-they-now?” stories when the Tigers open Spring Training in three weeks.  There could be a few more stories of “Where are they going?”

Chavez, Mets agree on 2-year, $3.85M deal  —  The Mets, who have not gone to an arbitration hearing with one of their players since 1992, eliminated another candidate Tuesday when Endy Chavez agreed to a two-year contract worth $3.85 million.  —  Chavez, 29, will make $1.8 million in 2008 and $2.05 million in 2009.