Jonathan Papelbon pops off on Manny Ramirez  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  FORT MYERS - Jonathan Papelbon [stats] minced few words about the dark, final days of Manny Ramirez [stats]' tenure with the Red Sox [team stats] in an interview in the April issue of Esquire magazine.

Los Angeles Dodgers are curious about Pedro Martinez  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The New York Mets don't have any interest in bringing back Pedro Martinez.  But another one of Martinez's former employers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, could emerge as a candidate to rescue him from unemployment.

Perez out at least three months  —  Update 10:32 An obviously disappointed OF Fernando Perez, out at least three months with a dislocated left wrist, tried to take the setback in stride, but said he learned a valuable lesson in the process.  —  Perez said he knew instantly …

Mets like Pudge, but don't have room  —  Assistant GM Bernazard says Rodriguez blocked by two other catchers  —  The Mets have interest in free agent Ivan Rodriguez but don't have a place for him because they have two other catchers, Mets assistant general manager Tony Bernazard told a Puerto Rican newspaper.

The art of the spring training autograph  —  Check out the video to the right  —  When it comes down to it, an autograph from a baseball player really is a bunch of illegible scribble.  But it is the journey, the memory and the moment of watching him sign his name that makes it special and, for many, something they will never forget.

Rivera faces hitters, says he “feels great”  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - Mariano Rivera faced hitters for the first time yesterday since his October surgery on the AC joint of his right shoulder.  —  Rivera said, “Everything feels great,” and he is closing in on his first game action.

Volstad leaves after taking line drive  —  Marlins right-hander doesn't expect to miss his next start  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Marlins starter Chris Volstad was rolling along through this third Spring Training start against the Cardinals on Wednesday.  —  Then the fifth inning started.

Amezaga out four to six weeks  —  Tests on Marlins utility man reveal sprained left knee  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Of all the players on the Marlins, Alfredo Amezaga was probably the last guy the organization wanted to see suffer an injury.  —  “He's like three guys,” manager Fredi Gonzalez …

Joba among 20 to sign one-year deals  —  Yanks reach agreement with all of their non-arbitration players  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Joba Chamberlain was among a group of 20 Yankees players who inked contracts for the 2009 season, signing a split deal that would pay him $432,575 if he spends the entire season in the Major Leagues.

For Yankees, CC Sabathia's workload over last two seasons could be concern  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - CC Sabathia didn't forget how to pitch, let's get that out of the way first.  Getting smacked around in early March is practically a rite of spring for veteran pitchers, and hardly cause for concern.

3 UP: Manny, Coke and Maine  —  1. A person close to Manny Ramirez said that Scott Boras considers the contract Ramirez just signed a one-year contract, and that the $20 million player option for 2010 is a safety net against injury or an off-year in 2009 for Ramirez.

Piazza vs. Bench vs. Pudge  —  In case you missed it, Sean Smith introduced his historical WAR database last week, providing seasonal wins-above-replacement values for every significant player since 1955 (the retrosheet era).  Since he was kind enough to include a measure of catcher defense …