Jon Heyman: Ranking the best GMs in the game  —  Also in the Daily Scoop...  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Who is the best general manager in baseball?  —  Normally that's a tough call, but not this year.  There's one fellow who stands out, only one GM whose team has won two World Series championships …

Pettitte discusses ‘embarrassment’  —  Yankees lefty expresses remorse for decision to use HGH  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Expressing relief but also embarrassment about his use of human growth hormone, Andy Pettitte made his Spring Training debut on Monday, apologizing for making decisions that he called “stupid” and “desperate.”

Texas Rangers, Ian Kinsler may agree on five-year deal Tuesday  —  Rangers, Kinsler close in on 5-year contract worth $20 million  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers' position players will officially report Tuesday.  One of them could have a little something extra waiting for him.

Nats sign Boone to Minor League deal  —  Second baseman comes out of retirement looking to start  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals signed second baseman Bret Boone to a non-guaranteed Minor League contract on Monday, and he will begin working out in the team's Accelerated Development Program for Minor Leaguers on Tuesday.

Delgado back in business (he hopes)  —  Quick hits from sunny Port St. Lucie after a rather quiet third day of pitcher-catcher workouts:  —  1. Carlos Delgado reported in what appeared to be terrific shape - the veteran first baseman appears leaner and stronger - and vowed to rebound from his miserable 2007 showing.

Notes: Simmons says Yost has nothing to worry about  —  Phoenix - Ted Simmons laughed at the notion that he was hired as the Milwaukee Brewers' bench coach to provide a fall-back position should manager Ned Yost get fired.  —  “Ned's not looking over his shoulder at me,” Simmons said.

Juan Pierre tries to figure out his future  —  He's unsure about Dodgers' commitment to him after Andruw Jones is signed to be center fielder.  He strongly hints at his willingness to waive no-trade clause, but Ned Colletti calls him ‘a strong asset.’  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. …

Notes: Deal for Byrd not looking likely  —  Discussions with Cubs over possible trade at an impasse  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs have not given up hope of acquiring outfielder Marlon Byrd but the Rangers aren't giving them much hope that a deal can be done.

McLain expects Hall to rebuff Clemens  —  Says Clemens' focus is on his Hall chances  —  Perhaps it takes one to know one: Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain says he is certain Roger Clemens is not telling the truth.  —  McLain delivered a high hard …

Will less Wagner be more effective for Mets?  —  The Billy Wags Rules?  —  Doesn't really have the same bite to it as “The Joba Rules.”  Sorry.  —  And the context is reversed from the other side of the state.  Over in Tampa, Brian Cashman and company impose the restrictions on Joba Chamberlain.

Yankees offer top stadium deal for $20M  —  Fear of recession grows daily across America, but don't tell the New York Yankees.  One proposal out there for the top sponsorship at the new Yankee Stadium is listed for about $20 million annually.  —  CAA is selling the package and using …

Schilling backs own doctor, says medical ‘egos’ in play  —  Curt Schilling, who said he held off on addressing his situation because he didn't want to be a distraction but became even more of a story this past week because of his silence, met with a few handpicked reporters in the parking lot …

Mets take a swing at arbitration for Perez  —  Going to arbitration with Oliver Perez on Thursday might seem like a failure in one respect, but the Mets actually view it as beneficial long term.  Why?  —  After a 16-year track record of settling, including this winter with Aaron Heilman …