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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Minor League Report: Jonathon Niese  —  Lefty displaying all the raw skills Mets are salivating over  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The late Dan Quisenberry threw right-handed and clearly thought left-handed, occasionally lamenting the former condition.  Left-handedness, once considered …

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.

Jeter: Forget MVP, I'd rather win the Series  —  Alex Rodriguez said yesterday that that Derek Jeter would win the MVP.  Asked about that prediction today, Jeter looked like he was chewing on dirt.  —  “I don't even think about it.  I have to be honest with you guys, man.  I'd much rather win.

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.

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.

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.