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.

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 …

Minaya: Garcia just visiting  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets say they aren't interested in free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia after the ex-Phillies starter made a surprise visit to their camp today along with his agents.  —  Mets GM Omar Minaya told The Post that Garcia just showed up to talk …

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 …

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 …

Dukes: ‘I finally found a breakthrough’  —  VIERA, Fla. — Elijah Dukes, the talented but troubled outfielder acquired by the Washington Nationals over the winter, reported to spring training this afternoon and declared himself a changed man.  —  “I've been working on myself a long time,” …

Astros sign versatile free agent Chacon  —  Righty starter/reliever inked to one-year, $2 million deal  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Houston Astros signed right-hander Shawn Chacon to a one-year deal worth $2 million plus incentives, general manager Ed Wade announced on Wednesday.

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.

Howard upbeat after arbitration hearing ends  —  Ryan Howard's salary arbitration hearing with the Phillies ended today and the slugging first baseman was upbeat when he emerged from the Renaissance Vinoy hotel in St. Petersburg.  —  “It was cool, it was a different experience being in there,” Howard said.

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.

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 …

Fogg on verge of deal with Reds  —  The representatives of right-handed pitcher Josh Fogg went into the offseason with expectations of a multi-year contract.  —  When spring training opened last week, however, Fogg was at home in Florida, and reality began to set in.

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.

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.

Part of Burgos' $270K bling gone  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Mets reliever Ambiorix Burgos had $270,000 in jewelry stolen from his hotel room here Tuesday after leaving it in a shaving bag, Port St. Lucie police said.  —  Most of the bling was recovered last night, according to a police spokesman …

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.

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.