Howard's $10M win in arbitration sets new high water mark  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ryan Howard won his salary arbitration case against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday when he was award $10 million, the highest figure awarded a victorious player.  —  The 2006 NL MVP, who had been offered $7 million …

Manny speaks...  Though he didn't do it in a formalized setting, Manny Ramirez did decide to speak with the media this morning.  This could signal that Ramirez will be heading back to the old days, when he regularly talked to members of the media.  He used to, but took a hiatus, finally breaking his silence in the 2007 postseason.

Source: D-backs, Trot Nixon agree … The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with veteran outfielder Trot Nixon, according to a baseball source.  —  Nixon, 33, gives the Diamondbacks some insurance from the left side of the plate as corner infielder Chad Tracy continues …

COMPUTER CRASH  —  CAPTAIN SHAKES OFF MEAN MACHINE'S SILLY STUDY  —  Derek Jeter arrived at his 16th Yankees spring training yesterday labeled the worst shortstop in the majors by some statistical braniacs over at Penn.  —  “Maybe it was a computer glitch,” the three-time Gold Glove winner said of the report.

A-Rod exaggeration causes stir  —  TAMPA - Alex Rodriguez sat in the Yankees dugout at Legends Field on Wednesday and answered every question thrown his way openly.  Then he found a way to put his foot in his mouth.  —  After declaring in no uncertain terms that he has never used any type …

Crisp Not Reserving Judgment  —  CF Wants Trade If He Can't Get Job Back  —  Boston Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp speaks to the media during workouts at the team's baseball spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla. (BRITA MENG OUTZEN / AP / February 20, 2008)

J. Byrnes, Hall get 8-year extensions  —  TUCSON - Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes and President Derrick Hall are being rewarded with contract extensions, each receiving an eight-year deal that will run through 2015.  —  The contracts are expected to be announced today, the first day of full-squad workouts in Tucson.

Tickets gone for last game at Stadium  —  The last regular season game at Yankee Stadium is sold out.  —  Fans scooped up a few thousand tickets online in just 11 minutes Wednesday.  —  Scalpers quickly started hawking tickets for the historic Sept. 21 game against the Baltimore Orioles …

The Oracle of the Phillies Has the Last Words  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — In its never-ending quest to mirror the American political landscape, baseball has found its answer to the latest Clinton-Obama hullabaloo.  —  A year ago, Jimmy Rollins proclaimed his Phillies “the team to beat” …

Roberts returns after health scare  —  Possible kidney stone sent All-Star to hospital on Wednesday  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Brian Roberts returned to Baltimore's Spring Training facility Thursday afternoon, one day after a health scare forced him to go to the emergency room.

Duque's last dance?  —  Interesting chat with Orlando Hernandez a few minutes ago.  Turns out he didn't have bunion surgery as the Mets said.  The bunion on his right foot is still there and its causing him problems this spring.  —  El Duque had surgery to fix a dislocated second toe …

Diet fit for a Prince  —  Fielder takes meat off his menu as he opts for vegetarian lifestyle  —  Phoenix - As Prince Fielder matures, he's not afraid to try new things.  —  At the plate and on his plate.  —  Fielder is known as a large, imposing figure on the field.

Notes: Counsell knows his role  —  Cameron rests hamstring; Yost mulling Fielder-Braun lineup  —  PHOENIX — On one hand, Brewers veteran Craig Counsell wants to play.  But if he does play extensively in 2008, it means something has gone terribly wrong for the team.

Netherlands bid elates Vandenhurk  —  JUPITER - For all the excitement that comes with vying for a spot in the Marlins' rotation, Rick Vandenhurk is certain next spring training will offer an even bigger thrill.  —  Tuesday, World Baseball Classic Inc. officially invited the Netherlands to participate in the 2009 event.