Mets, A's among teams eyeing Sheets … The A's, Rangers and Mets are among teams considering free agent pitcher Ben Sheets, who raised his value with what was described by several scouts as an excellent showcase last week in Monroe, La.  —  The A's tried this winter for Marco Scutaro …

The Top 100 Prospects of 2010: 1-25  —  Spring training and the 2010 regular season are right around the corner, which means it's time to take stock of the top potential future stars in the minor leagues.  —  Below are the first 25 players in my rankings of the top 100 prospects in baseball right now …

Nutting: Pirates' payroll to rise as roster matures  —  Says $75M range of Brewers, Reds is ‘where Pittsburgh needs to be’  —  SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. — A year ago, at the opening of the Pirates' Winter Caravan promotional tour here, the franchise's controlling owner, Bob Nutting …

Nationals To Sign Tyler Walker, Chuck James  —  The Nationals reached an agreement with reliever Tyler Walker, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  The deal is pending a physical.  They also added lefty Chuck James on a minor league deal.  —  Walker, 34 in May, posted a 3.06 ERA, 6.9 K/9 …

Back in PSL  —  Welcome back to Port St. Lucie.  The Mets are holding a three-day minicamp beginning today, although it will be sparsely attended.  Oliver Perez and Daniel Murphy have arrived, but John Maine canceled because of the weather, according to Jay Horwitz.

Ollie says he's ready to go  —  Oliver Perez, who underwent Sept. 1 surgery to remove scar tissue from his right knee, pronounced himself fit.  Literally.  —  Perez spoke about how he's relocated to Arizona as his offseason home.  At the Mets' request, he trained all winter at Fischer Sports …

Angels agree to three-year contract with Izturis (UPDATED)  —  The Angels just announced the signing of infielder Maicer Izturis to a three-year contract, avoiding arbitration.  —  UPDATED, 3:31 p.m.: The contract is worth $10 million and buys out two years of free agency.

Pinch hitting: Lucas Vanderwarker  —  Next up in the Pinch Hitters series is Lucas Vanderwarker, who crunched some numbers to write about Derek Jeter's chances of breaking Pete Rose's all-time hits record.  —  Lucas grew up in upstate New York, and his grandfather played …

Inbox: What's the deal with McGowan?  —  Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers fans' questions  —  I have been thinking lately about the Blue Jays' starting rotation for next year.  When I start to think of Dustin McGowan, though, I don't know what to believe.  What have the Jays said?

Ernie Banks calls on Sammy Sosa to come clean  —  Sammy Sosa (left) should address allegations that he used steroids, Ernie Banks says.  (Nancy Stone/Tribune)  —  Ernie Banks celebrates another birthday Sunday, and Mr. Cub insists that “at 79, everything is fine.”

Texas Rangers  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.