Can't Spring ahead  —  Only 17 days until pitchers and catchers - do you know where your teams are?  —  It's been that kind of a sluggish winter in which the grade for the majority of GMs is still an incomplete.  —  Even the White Sox's Kenny Williams, who made some bold moves to address …

CHARLEY WALTERS: Minnesota Twins could trade Santana within 10 days  —  The Twins, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees are not holding up the proposed trade of Twins pitcher Johan Santana.  It's Santana, who is seeking $150 million over six years.

Hot Stove: Coonelly cool in PirateFest crossfire  —  None of the questioners at PirateFest's various Q&A sessions with management and players carried a press pass, but that hardly diminished the pointed queries from the fans in attendance Friday and yesterday.

Beane defines A's direction toward youth and development  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane reiterated Saturday that the movement of his club toward youth and development is a sign home run king Barry Bonds probably isn't in the plans.

Mailbag: The important statistics  —  MLB.com's Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  I enjoy reading your stories.  You give straight answers to tough questions, and I look forward to your Mets mailbags.  That being said, I have a comment about two recent stories dealing with Brian Schneider.

Shields gets his, so just what can Kazmir expect?  —  Executive vice president Andrew Friedman bought Scott Kazmir lunch Friday.  Only fair, because at some point the Rays will ask Kazmir to buy into their future.  —  Last week's seven-year potentially $44-million contract with James Shields sent …

Faith brings Texas Rangers' Hamilton back from the brink  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SMITHFIELD, N.C. - Just past 8 a.m. on a gray Eastern Carolina Friday, Josh Hamilton's silver GMC truck, grinding gravel into grit, rumbles into the alley directly across Market Street from the Ava Gardner Museum.

Cust says no to Mitchell Report  —  A's DH denies using steroids  —  (01-26) 17:58 PST — Jack Cust hadn't discussed the Mitchell Report publicly since it was released in December with his name included, the result of a conversation former teammate Larry Bigbie alleges they once had in the minor leagues.

Atkins bringing surge into new season  —  The ache of Garrett Atkins' slumps, both with a glove and a bat, was numbed by two words: low and short.  —  Atkins, known for his pulseless poise, was hitting .220 on May 27, his skid growing more perplexing with each swing.  In the field, his range became limited.

Erik Bedard  —  So the Redskins have their offensive and defensive coordinators in place, but they still haven't hired a head coach.  —  Isn't it usually done in reverse?  —  If Erik Bedard is still listed on the Orioles' 40-man roster beyond next week, I'll be very surprised.

Brian Bannister Q&A, Part 2  —  Royals starter Brian Bannister was kind enough to answer questions for MLBTR readers.  The first part of the Q&A can be found here.  —  MLBTR: What's the most misunderstood aspect of succeeding in baseball by typical fans, sportswriters, and announcers?

A Voice of Skepticism on the Impact of Steroids  —  One of the most influential baseball minds of the last 40 years is angry.  And he is coming out of retirement to vent.  —  Fans may not know Eric Walker's name, but they know his handiwork.  Walker was a National Public Radio correspondent …