Report: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers agree to five-year, $80 million contract  —  The Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander have agreed to an $80 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.  —  The person spoke on the condition …

FEWER PITCHERS  —  Joel Sherman seems to think that Phil Hughes gets the starting job of the Yankees in 2010.  I'm not sure from the article how much is wishful thinking and how much is from conversations with the Yankees front office.  Sherman does say one really interesting thing however:

Mariners Inbox: Fact or fiction on Lopez?  —  Also questions about Washburn, Lee, Branyan, Kotchman … Are the Mariners really actively shopping Jose Lopez or is that just a rumor?  —  Separating fact from fiction these days with bloggers and twitters saying pretty much what they want …

Bisciotti takes a swing at the Yankees  —  Clearly, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is a proponent of the NFL salary cap, and took a light-hearted shot at the Yankees during today's big news conference for their inability to totally dominate Major League Baseball with their huge revenue and payroll advantage over the other 29 teams.

Giants on Thin Ice with Lincecum  —  There's no need to freak out — pun semi-intended — in light of recent comments from Tim Lincecum's agent, Rick Thurman, who suggested to the San Jose Mercury News that the Giants are low-balling his client.  —  No need to read much into the virtual …

‘Ramirez Provision’ is banned  —  Major league teams cannot require players to donate to club charities as part of a contract.  Manny Ramirez donated to the Dodgers' charitable foundation last year and owner Frank McCourt later said he  —  As part of the $45-million contract he signed last March …

Save the anthem at ballparks  —  Many perform painful versions of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’  —  We will all hear again this spring about “pace of game” issues, as Major League Baseball makes mild attempts to speed things up and trim that dreaded down time.  —  But let's take this issue from the top.

Different parallels for Mauer, Gonzalez  —  SAN DIEGO - Though their similarities are striking, the differences between Joe Mauer and Adrian Gonzalez may be irreconcilable.  —  Both were the first overall selection in baseball's amateur draft: Gonzalez in 2000, Mauer in 2001.

Full Nelson: Figueroa impresses in start  —  Righty tosses complete game; Mets' Martinez goes deep  —  MARGARITA ISLAND , Venezuela — Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Port St. Lucie, Fla., in two weeks, but Nelson Figueroa's audition for a spot on the Mets' pitching staff is already under way.

The 2010 Interview with Josh Byrnes, Part One  —  Josh Byrnes, left, and Colorado Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, right, look over the desert view prior to MLB meetings last month in Paradise Valley.  Either that, or they were pointing at the Giants' offense, and laughing.  —  Browse more photos »

Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore apologizes for photo scandal  —  CLEVELAND — Fully clothed, Grady Sizemore faced his public with nothing to hide.  —  Stung by having semi-nude photos of him posted on the Internet, Cleveland's popular center fielder said he never intended for the photos …

Quote: F-Mart wanted Beltran's Job  —  In the first game of the Caribbean Series last night, Mets OF Fernando Martinez went 0-for-3 in Escogido's 2-1 win against Puerto Rico.  —  Martinez told Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com that he thought he might get the chance to start in center field for the Mets …