L.A. vs. N.Y. for top free-agents … ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Baseball executives envision this country's horrific economic meltdown adversely affecting this free-agent class, though it might not cost three superstars who baseball people believe are too good to be affected.

Rays jump to early lead, hold on to even series  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Big Game James.  That's quite a nickname for a pitcher with 32 major league wins.  —  James Shields definitely deserved it Thursday night.  —  Shields stymied the slumping Philadelphia Phillies …

How to Take American Health Care From Worst to First  —  IN the past decade, baseball has experienced a data-driven information revolution.  Numbers-crunchers now routinely use statistics to put better teams on the field for less money.  Our overpriced, underperforming health care system needs a similar revolution.

PHILS GRUMP OVER UMPS  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Phillies weren't happy with home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley over two apparent blown calls that proved costly.  —  Brett Myers was upset with Danley for seeming to call a check-swing third strike on the Rays' Rocco Baldelli in the second inning …

Loewen signs with Blue Jays  —  Former first-round pick spurns O's, agrees to minor league deal with division rival in surprise move; ‘I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be a Blue Jay’  —  If Adam Loewen is going to make a successful transition into a power-hitting outfielder or first baseman, it won't be in an Orioles uniform.

L.A. vs. N.Y. for top free agents (cont.)  —  Braves are early leaders for Peavy  —  Padres ace Jake Peavy is seen as accepting a trade to at least any of his top five choices — the Braves, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers or Astros — and perhaps a few others, though his no-trade provision allows him to reject any deal.

Manny not a priority for Jays — Burnett is  —  Manny Ramirez?  —  Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi uttered that name to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports on Wednesday night saying that the feared slugger with heavy baggage was on the club's radar — the wishful thinking list.  —  Okay, we'll bite.

Arencibia heating up under desert sky  —  Jays catching prospect sizzling at plate in Arizona Fall League  —  TORONTO — J.P. Arencibia is beginning to heat up under the Arizona sun.  After a slow start for the Blue Jays' top catching prospect, Arencibia enjoyed a strong showing this week with the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

Cashing in on hope  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Meet Dave Marger and the long odds spring to life.  Spend a few minutes with this 46-year-old local businessman and the entire Tampa Bay Rays' worst-to-first thing becomes a gleam and a grin, a phone that won't stop ringing …

Bombers bank on cash cow for Hank Steinbrenner's little piggy  —  It is 11:15 in the morning in a part of the city that is so busy with workers these days that it is as if they are building the sixth borough of New York and not the new Yankee Stadium.  It is busy and it is loud …

Demolition Takes Shea Stadium Piece by Piece  —  The carcass of Shea Stadium, still standing, awaits its final destruction.  —  The seats have been extracted, flattening three tiers into two colorless dimensions.  —  The bullpens are gone, leaving the rancid memory of last season's meltdown by the Mets' relievers.

Batted ball scouting reports  —  Editor's Note: This article is part of the statistical introduction to the Hardball Times Annual 2009.  It is just a glimpse into many of the articles and stats included in this year's volume.  More details about the Annual will be published in the next few weeks …