Sox, Francona strike deal through 2011  —  The Red Sox and Terry Francona this morning finalized terms of a three-year extension that will take the Sox manager through the 2011 season, the team confirmed today.  WBZ4's Dan Roche first broke the story this morning.

Blue Jays sign Stewart to minor-league deal  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — Shannon Stewart is back where his career began - with the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  Stewart agreed on Saturday afternoon to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training and is expected to join the Blue Jays in a matter of days.

Silva, Washburn, Batista go 3-4-5 in Seattle rotation  —  It's official — Miguel Batista, the winningest pitcher in Seattle last season, will be the No. 5 starter for the Mariners in 2008.  —  Manager John McLaren, who'd earlier said he'd go with Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez in the first two spots …

GEEKS GOT IT RIGHT  —  JETER'S FIELDING WOES NO MYTH, BUT HE MAY HAVE ANSWER  —  IT IS so easy to turn this into geeks vs. the prom king, University of Penn statistic professors vs. Derek Jeter.  Who do you think is going to win that one in the court of public opinion?

Phils closer Lidge to have surgery, out 3-6 weeks  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday and could miss the regular-season opener.  —  Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest offseason acquisition, limped off the field Saturday …

Scoutmaster in the Bronx: Oppenheimer finds young talent  —  TAMPA - Damon Oppenheimer, the man most responsible for Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy becoming Yankees, was sitting behind his desk recently, recalling the circumstances that allowed him to draft the two pitchers, when suddenly he felt compelled to issue a warning of sorts.

Source: BoSox, Colon agree to minor league deal  —  The Boston Red Sox have reached preliminary agreement on a minor league contract with right-hander Bartolo Colon, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.  —  If he makes the Opening Day roster, Colon would provide rotation insurance for Boston …

EXTRA BASES  —  Camps have been open for nearly two weeks and righthander Kyle Lohse is still unsigned.  Lohse and agent Scott Boras had been looking for a deal in the neighborhood of five years and $55 million.  With no takers at that price, it appears they are waiting for a team to suffer …

Royals tested by baseball quiz  —  SURPRISE, Ariz.—When sliding feet-first into a base, is your front foot straight up or sideways?  —  Before a game starts, what are the first two things a player should check?  —  Stumped?  Don't fret.  When first-base coach Rusty Kuntz asked …

SPRING TRAINING A'S TRYING ON NEW WHITE SOX  —  Beane, Chicago GM Williams seem to have a habit of swapping players  —  (02-24) 04:00 PST Phoenix — Welcome to White Sox West.  —  That's how many of the A's must feel this spring because the clubhouse at the team's Papago Park complex is teeming with former Chicago prospects.

Notes: Attanasio prepared to deal with young stars  —  Owner says he's willing to pay up  —  Phoenix - Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio met Saturday with general manager Doug Melvin to begin making plans for offering multi-year contracts to some of the team's talented young players.