Odalis Perez Chooses the Nats  —  Yes, boys and girls, Mr. Perez is officially in the fold.  The Nationals signed him, I'm told, to a one-year, non-guaranteed minor league deal that will pay him $850,000 if he makes the team.  The offers from Washington and Boston were not very different …

Wilpon expects Mets to go ‘deep into the playoffs’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Mets CEO Fred Wilpon, holding his de facto annual “State of the Mets” news conference on Tuesday, laid down a challenge for his team.  —  “We expect to be in the playoffs, and deep into the playoffs,” …

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 …

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.

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 …

Pence injured in sliding door tumble  —  Outfielder treated for lacerations on knee and hands  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Hunter Pence will miss about a week of Spring Training workouts after enduring several cuts and lacerations on his hands and knees that resulted from falling through a glass door at his residence in Kissimmee, Fla.

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 …

‘My, oh my!’  M's broadcaster Niehaus Hall-bound  —  SEATTLE — Longtime Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus has been named recipient of the Baseball Hall of Fame's 2008 Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence.  —  Niehaus will be honored during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony July 27 …

Strengthened corps  —  Brewers hope Gagne can lead pen rebuilt with veterans  —  Phoenix - During eight years as bullpen coach for the Atlanta Braves, Ned Yost learned that closers have their own unique and sometimes peculiar way of preparing to walk the high wire at the end of games.

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 …

Update  —  The situation warranted addressing the media at some point, yesterday was that day.  Given what's happened over the past three months the discussion was not going to go anyone's way in the end.  —  Suffice to say it's over, and I am rehabbing and doing everything possible to get healthy and pitch again.

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.

No mas DH  —  Vladimir Guerrero reported to camp this morning and sat with reporters for a few minutes, Angels coach Alfredo Griffin serving as interpreter.  —  But Griffin's services were not needed.  When I asked Guerrero what he thought about Angels manager Mike Scioscia's plan to DH …