Nationals agree to terms on Minor League contract with lefthander Odalis Perez  —  The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed minor-league contract with left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez.  Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

Arbiters decide for Astros over Loretta  —  Infielder to get $2.75 million rather than $4.9 million requested  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Houston Astros won their arbitration case against Mark Loretta, the club confirmed Tuesday morning.  —  Loretta asked for $4.9 million, while the club offered $2.75 million.

The Godfather, Part II by nate penn  —  In his first major interview in twenty years, the elusive Hal Steinbrenner talks to GQ about Roger Clemens and steroids, life with his “overbearing” father, and who's really calling the shots at Yankee Stadium  —  In February 2007, George Steinbrenner's …

Henry arrives, walks right into it  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - This felt like the old days of Red Sox spring training - the days of Oil Can Boyd's overdue porn videos (the Can's Film Festival), the days of Roger Clemens running with headphones on while Daddy Butch Hobson tried to speak to the Rocket …

HOPING FOR RELIEF  —  'IT'S TIME' FOR SANCHEZ TO BOOST METS' BULLPEN  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - By the end of the morning, the rest of the Mets pitchers had wandered back to the air-conditioned bliss of the clubhouse, or scattered off to the weight room, or marched off to one of the front fields to get their running in.

Source says Kinsler, Rangers agree on 5-year, $22M deal … Second baseman Ian Kinsler has agreed to a five-year, $22 million contract with the Texas Rangers, according to a baseball source.  The deal includes a club option for a sixth year that could increase the overall value of the package to $32 million.

Delgado has got Beltran's back  —  Concurring with his friend and fellow Carlos, slugger agrees that Mets are best in NL East  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Two days after Carlos Beltran's surprising challenge to Jimmy Rollins, in walked Carlos Delgado, who backed his close friend without the slightest hesitation.

No Stewart in Mariners' immediate plans  —  There have been reports on the internet in the last 24 hours that Seattle has expressed some interest in outfielder Shannon Stewart.  —  The reports appear to be without much merit.  —  Stewart told confidants late Monday night that he's …

Steinbrenner: Baseball Being Singled Out  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hank Steinbrenner insists baseball is being picked on for its trouble with performance-enhancing drugs, and claims the problem is bigger in football.  —  “I don't like baseball being singled out,” the New York Yankees senior vice president …

Piniella says Howry has edge as Cubs' closer  —  Rothschild's perspective on that job: 'We'll see'  —  MESA, Ariz. - Cubs manager Lou Piniella has been careful not to handicap the three-way race for closer, preferring to let Kerry Wood, Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol compete with no preconceived notions of where they stand.

Happy with Dodgers, Torre reflects on what went wrong with Yankees  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. - Joe Torre won't root for the laundry, as they say, even if the clothes have the classic blue pinstripes on a white background and the most famous logo in sports.  —  And he damn sure isn't going to root …

Dunn, Reds: Nothing going on on extension  —  Adam Dunn is in camp.  Could it be his last as a Red?  —  Dunn says nothing is going on as far as talks about a contract extension.  The Reds picked up his option on Oct. 31.  But, as it is, he'll become a free agent after the season.

Leading off  —  Boston Globe baseball writer Gordon Edes checks in every week to answer your questions on the Red Sox.  Ask yours now, and come back next week to see whether it was answered.  —  Hey everyone, the 'Bag is back, and this is the first installment of what will be a daily 'Bag this week …

2008 Mets ticket sales surpass 2 million in record time  —  Milestone reached two weeks ahead of 2007 record-setting mark; Single-game tickets go on sale Sunday, March 9, at Mets.com and LosMets.com  —  FLUSHING — The New York Mets today announced that advance ticket sales for their final season …

Tejada won't comment on link to steroids  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Tejada said he's been advised by attorneys not to comment on the Mitchell Report or an FBI investigation looking into his alleged link to steroids.  —  “I can't really talk about that situation,” …