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 …

Red Sox give Francona 3-year extension  —  FORT MYERS, Fla.—Terry Francona was rewarded Sunday for managing the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships in four years when the team gave him a three-year contract extension through 2011.  —  The deal includes club options for 2012 and 2013 …

PLEADING THE 5TH  —  PELFREY, DUQUE BID FOR METS' LAST ROTATION SLOT  —  “El Duque” or “The Kid?”  Who will occupy the fifth spot - veteran Orlando Hernandez or young right- hander Mike Pelfrey - ap pears to be the only question about the Mets' rotation as they open Grapefruit League play this week.

MELANCON THE NEXT JOBA?  —  Attention shifted from the main diamond at Legends Field in mid-afternoon yesterday.  Alex Rodriguez had begun signing autographs down the right-field line and the roughly 200 fans who had stuck out an entire workout on a hot, sunny afternoon either raced to the area or focused upon it.

La Russa's Bonds suggestion rejected  —  Manager thought home run leader would help protect Pujols  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa acknowledged Sunday that he recommended to club brass this offseason that St. Louis sign all-time home run champion Barry Bonds.

Notes: D-Train shines in BP  —  Lefty impresses Cabrera with stuff, location on Sunday  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't try to read much into the one time pitchers face hitters before Spring Training games begin.  At this point in camp, pitchers are almost always ahead of hitters.

Rays ponder Bonds pursuit … ST. PETERSBURG - There has been no formal offer, actual wooing or even public displays of affection.  But the Rays seem to have at least an eye on Barry Bonds, and team officials have recently talked internally about the all-time home run king who has been at the center of the steroids controversy.

Yanks' Quiet Bullpen Acquisition Impresses  —  TAMPA, Fla. — LaTroy Hawkins found a seat next to the veteran Bob Tewksbury on the Minnesota Twins' bench in the top of the seventh inning on May 17, 1998.  —  Hawkins was 25 years old, and he knew it was Beanie Baby Day at Yankee Stadium …

Notes: No lack of effort from Ensberg  —  Veteran infielder dedicated despite abundance of competitors  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Morgan Ensberg has had a lot of adjusting to do over the past year.  New team.  New expectations.  New position.  So far, he's taking it all in stride.

Sather says Jagr's staying put  —  At trade deadline time, everybody's name gets tossed out there.  It's the nature of the beast.  —  But the silliest one making the rounds has been Jaromir Jagr to (pick a team).  —  He's not going anywhere, even if his stats this year are pedestrian by his Hall of Fame standards.

Notes: Bush not taking spot for granted  —  McClung in bullpen mix; intrasquad games on tap  —  PHOENIX — Just like Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy, pitcher Dave Bush was glad that his Spring Training began at Maryvale Baseball Park and not in a Florida hearing room.

On Baseball: New Blue Jay Rolen puts Cardinals behind him  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - Time and Tony La Russa heal all wounds.  —  Scott Rolen would have waived his no-trade clause to return to Philadelphia had the chance presented itself this winter.  —  That's how intense his desire was to get away from the St. Louis Cardinals' manager.