Hearing of Special Interest to an I.R.S. Special Agent  —  When Barry Bonds stood up in federal court in San Francisco in November to plead not guilty to charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, Jeff Novitzky was sitting in the front row.  —  Novitzky was in the first row again …

Great expectations  —  Brewers await Weeks' breakout  —  Because of his immense potential and the fact he finally got past a wrist injury to make an impact offensively over the final two months of last season, Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks is considered a prime candidate to “break out” in 2008.

A's sign Foulke  —  (02-08) 12:39 PST — Keith Foulke's best season came during his only year in Oakland, 2003.  He led the league in saves, with 43, and he put up an ERA of 2.08.  —  Now, Foulke is back for another go-round with the A's, signing a $700,000 one-year major-league deal …

Meet David Wright, the Real Mr. Met  —  When Brian Schneider was traded to the Mets from the Washington Nationals in November, his first phone call came from the Nationals' general manager, Jim Bowden.  Then he heard from Omar Minaya, the Mets' general manager.

Cano Can Set Worries Aside  —  UNCASVILLE - Robinson Cano can't relax, but now he can go to the plate with a clear head.  —  “Now I don't have to worry if something happens, if I get hurt,” said Cano, who signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Yankees Thursday.  “I have security.

Mariners' wait over  —  Weeks in making, deal with Orioles for Bedard done  —  Did the Mariners give up too much in trading for Erik Bedard?  —  Seattle completed its deal with Baltimore on Friday, sending outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and three minor league …

Girardi Is Leaving a Lot Behind  —  CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Joe Girardi had tears in his eyes, tears that have been building for months, even years, and tears that were close to covering his face.  But Girardi, the manager of the Yankees, stared upward, plowed through his thoughts and kept the tears from escaping.

NL Spring Training Capsules  —  A team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, reporting dates and 2008 outlook:  —  NL East  —  Manager: Charlie Manuel (fourth season).  —  2007: 89-73, first place.  —  Training Town: Clearwater, Fla.

Here's a few 2nd thoughts  —  Orioles' Roberts has reappeared on Cubs' wish list  —  Now that the Erik Bedard trade finally is signed and sealed, the Brian Roberts watch resumes in Chicago.  —  It has been a whirlwind ride already.  —  A month ago, it looked as if the Baltimore Orioles …

Mets Lore Lands in New Jersey Basement  —  Charlie Sobel received a rather unusual bar mitzvah gift in 1971.  —  “I was living in Brooklyn at the time, and I get this box in the mail from my Uncle Robert and I'm all excited,” he recalled.  “I open it up and I see all these baseball drawings and I'm like, 'What's this junk?'

Curt had few options … One day after first, second and third opinions about the status of Curt Schilling [stats]'s ailing right shoulder were reported in an absolute blizzard of media coverage, the matter died down some yesterday.  —  Initially resistant, Schilling is now on board with the Red Sox …