Greinke's performance may be AL Cy-worthy  —  KC ace shy on wins, but could have resume to top CC, others  —  A baseball season is like a garden, with stories blooming all over.  But 2009 had no better, more inspiring or jaw-dropping story than the slim, blond right-hander who …

Cashman: Yanks won't dive right into free-agent pool  —  The Yankees' GM said he will be more deliberate this year with free agency than he was last offseason.  —  The moment free agency began  —  last offseason, Brian Cashman was off to the races, immediately dialing up CC Sabathia.

Bill DeWitt on Holliday, McGwire  —  Good morning...  1. Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. was a guest on my 101 ESPN radio show and said the team still plans to make a serious effort to sign Matt Holliday.  DeWitt conceded that if a big-market franchise goes all-out to land Holliday, the Cardinals won't have a chance.

Bailey captures AL rookie award  —  Righty reliever recorded 26 saves to go with 1.84 ERA  —  OAKLAND — A's right-hander Andrew Bailey's rise from Minor League obscurity to Major League limelight turned historic Monday when he was named the 2009 American League Rookie of the Year.

Minor League Free Agents  —  When we talk abut a player's value above replacement level, such as referring to stats like WAR, one of the questions that commonly arises is who these mythical replacement level players are.  The best example of freely available talent - guys who can be had for nothing …

Book excerpt: “Evaluating Baseball's Managers”—Billy Martin  —  For the next few weeks, THT will publish excerpts from Evaluating Baseball's Managers, 1876-2008, which is scheduled for release in December, but can be ordered now.  For a limited time, if you order it now you will get at no additional charge—new book smell!

Twins unveil new unis for 2010  —  New road, throwback digs set for Target Field's first year  —  MINNEAPOLIS — When the Minnesota Twins open the 2010 season at Target Field, they'll do so in new uniforms paying tribute to Minnesota ballclubs of old.  —  The Twins unveiled two new jerseys Monday …

New York Mets eye durable free-agent pitcher Joel Pineiro  —  The Mets, in search of an innings-eater to stabilize their rotation, are particularly intrigued by free-agent righthander Joel Pineiro, according to a team insider.  —  Pineiro, 31, had 15 wins with the Cardinals in 2009 …

Pedro wants to pitch in 2010  —  Right-hander aims to be with a club in Spring Training  —  Pedro Martinez enjoyed another whirlwind trip through October baseball so much that he's primed to chase the World Series dream again in 2010.  —  This time, however, Martinez intends to start in Spring Training.

Grapefruit League schedule  —  The Mets have released their spring training schedule.  With three months until pitchers and catchers report, here's the Grapefruit League schedule:  —  Tue.  March 2 Atlanta Braves Port St. Lucie 1:10 p.m.  —  Wed.  March 3 Atlanta Braves Disney 1:05 p.m.

New York Mets hire Wally Backman to manage Brooklyn Cyclones  —  NEW YORK — Wally Backman has been hired as manager of the New York Mets' Brooklyn Cyclones farm team in the New York-Penn League.  —  A member of the Mets' 1986 World Series championship team, Backman was hired to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks in November 2004.