Crisp might ask for trade if he doesn't win CF job  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Coco Crisp, who lost his center-field job to rookie Jacoby Ellsbury in the postseason, said Wednesday he'd probably talk to the Boston Red Sox about trading him if it appears he won't get his starting job back.

Mets, free-agent P Garcia meet  —  Free-agent pitcher eyes return from shoulder surgery  —  Free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia visited with the Mets on Wednesday, according to sources.  —  The Mets haven't said anything about possible progress in contract talks, but they have long been interested in Garcia …

A-Rod expects drug questions  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez expects to be questioned repeatedly about drug use as he approaches Barry Bonds' career home-run record.  —  “Right now, the game is in a very not-trusting situation with our public, with our fans,” A-Rod said Wednesday …

Pirates reach agreement with pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates this morning reached agreement on a contract with free-agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim.  —  It is believed to be a major-league deal, though no other terms are known.  The San Francisco Giants …

Damon nearly walked away in '07  —  When Johnny Damon walked out of spring training early last year, he thought he was walking away from the game, SI.com has learned.  The Yankees explained Damon's absence early last spring as “personal reasons,” and there was a lot of wrong speculation …

Teixeira's status is a big deal  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Will he be a Brave beyond this season?  That's all anyone wants to know about slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira.  But it looks as if he's going to keep us guessing.  —  Tex rolled into training camp Tuesday and said he's …

A window on how arbitration works  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Some salary arbitration hearings are contentious.  Some are civil.  —  Some are downright absurd.  Such as the one involving a pinch-hitter several years ago.  An agent recalled the story yesterday.  —  “He was one of the best pinch-hitters in baseball,” the agent said.

GET USED TO JASE AT FIRST BASE  —  Jason Giambi was well into a punishing offseason conditioning program when Joe Girardi phoned with a plea Giambi was happy to hear.  —  “He told me, ‘I need you at first base,’ ” Giambi said yesterday at Legends Field on the eve of the first full squad spring training workout.

Clemens out from ESPN The Weekend at Walt Disney World  —  Alluding to the steroids allegations controversy surrounding him as a likely distraction, superstar Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens has bowed out of Walt Disney World's ESPN The Weekend festivities next week.

Chacon, Astros agree to one-year, $2 million deal  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the Houston Astros agreed Wednesday to a $2 million, one-year contract.  —  The 30-year-old right-hander split time as a starter and reliever with Pittsburgh in 2007, going 5-4 with a 3.94 ERA and one save in 64 appearances.

Passing on Santana could mash Cash  —  Yankees GM Brian Cashman, right, with Jorge Posada, could be in big trouble with ownership if his decision not to trade for Johan Santana backfires.  (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan / February 15, 2008)  —  Brian Cashman should have traded for Johan Santana …

Reyes vows to tone down act this season  —  Jose Reyes, second from right, told Newsday he may tone down celebrations like this one and focus more on baseball this year.  (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek)  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - In addition to the Mets' championship dreams, a part of Jose Reyes died on that final weekend at Shea Stadium.

Piniella's Rx for '08: Regular rest  —  MESA, Ariz. — On the first day of full-squad workouts for the Cubs, the arrival of the last player to report for spring training, Aramis Ramirez, underscored one of the more important — if little-noticed — sets of decisions facing manager Lou Piniella and his coaching staff this spring.

The best at putting the pieces together  —  Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the new book, “Winners: How Good Baseball Teams Become Great Ones” (Available now at Amazon.com).  —  Most often, it seems, fans and media following baseball focus on what the managers are doing.

Sox close to bringing Colon back?  —  TUCSON, Ariz. - The Sox could be on the verge of reacquiring Bartolo Colon.According to Dominican site Impactodeportivo.com.do, Colon is close to finalizing a contract with the White Sox.  The media outlet states that the pitcher needs only to pass a physical examination.

Finally Hanging 'Em Up  —  Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency yesterday.  In so doing, he also relinquished the coveted title of WMBOD, which of course is short for world's most baseball-obsessed dictator — a lofty perch for which he had no serious competition.