Perez wins arbitration case  —  Hearing was first for Mets since Cone's 16 years ago  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pitcher Oliver Perez won his salary arbitration case against the Mets on Friday and will be paid $6.5 million this year rather than the team's offer of $4,725,000.

Manny switches agents, hires Boras  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Manny Ramirez spoke to reporters about his contractual situation Thursday, but when he did he failed to mention one new revelation: Ramirez is switching agents and has hired Scott Boras, a friend of Ramirez's told SI.com.

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.

Hughes hitting glove with more force  —  Right-hander's comfort, velocity have increased  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees' catching tandem was ready to hit the streets after another early afternoon at camp when Jose Molina dropped by with a tidbit for Jorge Posada.

Hard pitches and hard work  —  It was an interesting day in camp as the pitchers threw live batting practice to the hitters.  I watched Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang face Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Jesus Montero.  —  The format was pretty simple.  Each pitcher threw 35 pitches.

Who should bat leadoff for Braves?  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. _ Good morning/afternoon on another mid-70s day from Dark Star, where I'd like to know who you think will bat first and second for the Braves ahead of Hoss and Tex.  —  (Actually, I'd like you to deliver a Mellow Mushroom pizza …

Marlins' ballpark plan approved  —  Stadium construction scheduled to begin in November  —  MIAMI — After eight years of searching for a long-term home — and eight years of frustration — the Marlins on Thursday ecstatically found the answer to their dreams.

The Best of the Newest, 2008 edition  —  Each year around this time, we take a look at the young players with no major league experience who have the highest PECOTA on a position-by-position basis.  Some of these players are ready enough to pop, while others are still a few years away.

Source: Indiana, Sampson discussing settlement  —  What's Next For Kelvin Sampson and Indiana  —  While discussions over the fate of Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson remained fluid through Friday afternoon, a final determination has been delayed because of talk of a potential financial settlement, a university official said.

Math supports Marmol  —  MESA, Ariz. — No matter how you add up this Cubs closer race, two plus two equals Carlos Marmol.  —  That was underscored again Thursday when the three candidates for Ryan Dempster's vacated spot threw their first live batting-practice sessions of spring training …

Milli Vanilli lives on  —  Here's something you don't see every day in a major-league clubhouse.  When a New York radio reporter approached Pedro Martinez for an interview, the pitcher replied, “If you sing ‘Blame it on the Rain,’ I'll dance to it.”  —  Sure enough, the reporter started singing, and Pedro started dancing.