A-Rod: Jeter will win MVP  —  Alex Rodriguez predicted about 30 minutes ago that Derek Jeter would win the MVP and that Bobby Abreu would have a monster year.  —  “I think Jeter is going to have an MVP season.  That's my prediction for the year,” Rodriguez said.  “And Bobby's going to have a monster year.”

No more steaks for Fielder  —  Brewers star feels ‘amazing’ after becoming vegetarian  —  PHOENIX — Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder does not look like a vegetarian.  So when people find out that he's giving it a try, they have approximately the same reaction.

Ramírez wants to stay  —  He leaves options in Red Sox' hands  —  Normally a man of few words, Manny Ramírez opened up to the media during an abbreviated visit to the training complex.  (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - He didn't stay around for long.  But it was long enough.

Notes: El Duque could retire after '08  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Orlando Hernandez talked about retirement yesterday for the first time, and anyone who glanced at his gnarly right foot could understand why.  Hernandez, who said the odds of his quitting after this season are 50-50 …

Photo looms as Roger woe  —  As the congressional committee that spent nine weeks considering Roger Clemens' attack on the Mitchell Report now quietly mulls referring the entire matter to the Justice Department, federal investigators seasoned in the anti-doping game are ready to hit the ground running.

STILL SWINGING  —  SHEFF SOUNDS OFF ON GIRARDI, CLEMENS & TIGERS  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - Gary Sheffield yesterday described his monster swing as “violent, but level.”  —  Those swings would be both on and off the field.  Sheffield has played for all kinds of managers dur ing his 20-year career …

Reds sign veteran starter Fogg  —  Right-hander agrees to one-year deal worth $1 million  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — For the Reds' younger rotation candidates, their chances of landing a starting spot just got harder.  —  Free agent right-hander Josh Fogg signed a one-year, $1 million contract.

Harper: Beltran takes second cut  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - The good news for the Mets is that as the rhetoric heats up, Carlos Beltran is not backpedaling from his uncharacteristic bit of bravado aimed at Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies last week.  —  In fact, the Quiet Man understands …

Stark: Howard hits the jackpot … CLEARWATER, Fla. — What does it mean when a guy wins 10 million negotiable American dollars through the miracle of salary arbitration?  —  In Ryan Howard's case, says his buddy Jimmy Rollins, it means he can afford that Aston Martin DB9 James Bond-mobile he's had his eye on.

Sheffield calls ex-agent Boras a ‘bad person’  —  LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - Gary Sheffield put himself in the spotlight again, and the Detroit Tigers slugger enjoyed every second of it.  —  “My family has been trying to get me to walk away for a while now because they don't like the negative stuff that comes my way.

Bonds: Prosecutors' typos could compromise case  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Slugger Barry Bonds has submitted court papers complaining his chances for a fair trial could be hurt by typographical errors in a government filing wrongly accusing him of flunking a drug test in 2001.

Madden: Duncan getting his work in  —  TAMPA - You know this is a whole different kind of Yankee training camp when even Shelley Duncan is huffing and puffing and begging for mercy at the end of the day.  —  The running joke among the Yankee coaches who watched Duncan taking over 100 grounders …

JOHAN TO FACE BATTERS  —  The moment the Mets have been waiting for arrives this morning.  —  Johan Santana told The Post he will throw to hitters today for the first time since the blockbuster deal that brought him to the Mets three weeks ago.  —  The Mets started full-squad workouts Wednesday …

Chatting with Stu  —  It's that time of year again, it seems.  DRays Bay, once again, gets the opportunity to ask Rays Principal Owner Stu Sternberg a few questions.  This year, however, I opened up the floor to a couple other people (Cork Gaines from “Rays Index” and EricSanSan from …