Hernandez tutoring Murphy at first base  —  Eleven-time Gold Glove winner imparting defensive wisdom  —  NEW YORK — Without spoken acknowledgment of having done so, the Mets bid farewell to Carlos Delgado and, in so doing, they committed to Daniel Murphy.

Jeter's pride makes next pact tough  —  The biggest drama of the Yankees' 2007-08 offseason played out publicly and messily with the divorce of Joe Torre.  —  Joe Girardi took over and Brian Cashman felt it was improper to drop another longrunning drama onto the to-do list of a new manager …

Jacque Jones, Minnesota Twins agree to minor league deal  —  The Minnesota Twins have reached agreement with outfielder Jacque Jones on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  —  Jones, 34, broke into professional ball with Minnesota in 1996 as a second-round draft pick out of USC.

Yankees nix the ‘Joba Rules’, but no word yet as to where ace Joba Chamberlain fits in rotation  —  TAMPA - The training wheels are officially off Joba Chamberlain, the “Joba Rules” just a slogan rather than a strict plan to limit the Yankee pitcher's innings.

Giants' ‘Dynamic’ Pricing System Is Downright Evil  —  The Giants may not be able to afford Barry Zito, but Giants fans on a budget can now only afford to go to his games  —  Let me say it up front and outright: The San Francisco Giants' long-planned move to charge more for more desirable games makes good business sense.

Nationals ‘aggressively pursuing’ Wang  —  As Spring Training nears, Washington seeking another starter  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are “aggressively pursuing” free-agent right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, according to a baseball source.  It's not certain whether Washington has formally extended an offer just yet.

Damon: Braves are at top of list  —  The Braves haven't ruled out adding a free agent if the discounted price is right, and outfielder Johnny Damon made it known again Tuesday that he would like to play for them.  —  “I hope.  They are definitely a team that is on top of the list,” …

Pagan settles, avoid arbitration  —  Angel Pagan has settled on a $1.45 million contract for 2010.  That leaves the Mets with no more arbitration-eligible players.  Pagan had filed arbitration for $1.8 million, with the Mets countering at $1.275 million.

Source: Mike Jacobs, Mets close  —  The New York Mets are closing in on a one-year, minor league contract with free-agent first baseman Mike Jacobs, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  Jacobs, 29, began his career as a 38th-round draft pick with New York in 1999.

Webb back where he belongs — on a mound  —  Ace throws from bump for first time since August  —  PHOENIX — D-backs ace Brandon Webb threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time since having surgery on his right shoulder in August.  —  “[It] went good,” Webb told MLB.com.

Mets' Pelfrey drops weight, not expectations  —  One week until Fat Tuesday, but Mike Pelfrey won't be participating.  —  The Mets pitcher is prepared to arrive in camp next week some 25 pounds lighter than last season and believes that will propel him to new heights after a disappointing 2009.

Astros express interest in bringing back Taveras  —  The Astros have expressed interest in outfielder Willy Taveras, who was released by the Oakland A's.  —  Astros assistant general manager David Gottfried contacted Taveras' agent, Barry Praver, soon after Taveras' release Tuesday.

Fitness might help Romero ace test  —  With lactic acid searing his legs, a heart rate-monitor recording his progress, and no end in sight to the interval workout, Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero gripped the handles of the exercise bike and kept pumping the pedals.