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.

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.

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.

Jeter, Yankees getting testy  —  TAMPA - Major League Baseball has taken steps to beef up its drug-testing policy, but according to several prominent Yankees, including captain Derek Jeter, the sport's image will never heal completely until players are tested for all drugs - most notably human growth hormone.

One lineup question answered … One of the few mysteries for Tigers fans to debate this spring is the batting order.  The players that will comprise that lineup have long been identified, but their positioning has a few questions.  One of those was answered today with the announcement that Ivan Rodriguez will bat 8th.

Manager's sign  —  Francona, Sox agree on 3-year, $12m extension  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - With two World Series titles behind him and a clubhouse full of players always ready to sing his praises, manager Terry Francona has reached an agreement on a three-year, $12 million contract extension …

MASN Announces Maximum Access Nationals and Orioles Television Schedule for 2008  —  Adds 80 High Definition telecasts to 322-game Nationals and Orioles broadcast schedule  —  Expands on-location Nats Xtra and O's Xtra pregame and postgame shows from Nationals Park and Camden Yards

The Epic of Craig Biggio  —  WHY I LOVED, AND THEN GREW TIRED OF, THE LONG-TIME HOUSTON ASTRO. … I wonder how many people even remember anymore that Craig Biggio came to the majors as a catcher?  Biggio wasn't much of a catcher, honestly, but he was a major league regular catcher for three and a half years.

Young Guns: NL East  —  After breaking down the American League for the past three weeks, we now head into the National League to see what rookies may have significant impacts in the majors in 2008.  Unfortunately, the NL East looks less than inspiring, although there are a few interesting names.

Agent for David Wells calls Cards  —  The agent for lefty David Wells dialed the Cardinals recently to see whether the team was interested in adding the veteran to an unsettled rotation.  —  Wells, 44, has been working out and would like to pitch another season after going 4-1 with a 4.65 ERA …

Hawpe's ambition not to be left out  —  Bulked-up slugger poses a bigger threat if he can hit left-handers as he does righties  —  TUCSON — At 2:11 p.m. Sunday, right fielder Brad Hawpe walked into the Hi Corbett Field parking lot after practice.  He was easy for autograph seekers to recognize.

Duaner Sanchez springs into action  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Duaner Sanchez has not pitched in a game in 577 days, since striking out Andruw Jones to complete a scoreless eighth inning in Atlanta on July 28, 2006.  —  This time, the crowd will be significantly less than the 53,943 spectators who packed Turner Field that day.

Notes: Olsen to open Grapefruit play  —  Keppel, regulars to start vs. Miami; Mitre leading by example  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Newcomer Bobby Keppel will start for the Marlins in Tuesday's 3:05 p.m. ET game against the University of Miami in Jupiter, and Scott Olsen, last year's No. 2 starter …