AP source: Braves make offer to Johnny Damon  —  Buzz up!  —  ATLANTA (AP)—The Atlanta Braves appear interested in adding Johnny Damon  —  to the top of their lineup.  —  The Braves have made an offer to the free-agent outfielder, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Youk, Pap, Lester among early arrivals  —  While snow batters New England, players arrive in Florida  —  BOSTON — Throughout sunny Florida, there are early-bird specials which are especially appealing to senior citizens who don't like to drive after dark.

Some surprises among this winter's free-agent winners and losers … Heading into the 2009-10 free-agent market, the conventional wisdom was that the three big stars in their prime would get big bucks, and that the vast majority of players in the middle and lower ranks would mostly struggle to land a decent contract.

Start him up: Farnsworth to get shot in KC  —  Righty has dialed down heat, added offspeed pitches  —  KANSAS CITY — Didn't like Kyle Farnsworth as a relief pitcher?  Hang on, he might be a starting pitcher for the Royals this year.  —  “Kyle Farnsworth is competing for a job in the rotation …

Debunking Citizens Bank Park myths  —  Stadium does favor hitters, but not as much as fans think  —  PHILADELPHIA — The New York Mets reportedly will lower the center-field fence at Citi Field from 16 feet to eight feet, less than a year after it opened.  —  Hitters at Citi Field …

Free agent Washburn awaits ‘right offer’  —  Former Mariners southpaw's options include retirement  —  Free-agent left-hander Jarrod Washburn said Wednesday that he is waiting for the “right offer,” is in no hurry to sign a new contract and retiring is an option.  —  “I've never liked Spring Training anyway,” he laughed.

Long-term deals risky for starting pitchers  —  Offering hurlers five-year contracts can be iffy propostion  —  The soapbox for arguing against extending pitchers' long-term contracts is always crowded.  Baseball “experts” caution general managers against making such commitments and …

With ‘things on table,’ in-shape slugger hasn't heard from Mets  —  Gary Sheffield says his 41-year-old body is ready for the rigors of a 22nd major-league season.  Now it's just a matter of deciding if he wants to do it.  —  “There are things on the table that I have to accept or not accept …

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 …

Mets sign Jacobs to minor-league deal  —  Mike Jacobs signed a minor league contract with the Mets on Wednesday, SI.com has confirmed.  The deal pays $900,000 base if he's in the majors plus $1.15 million in incentives for possible total of $2.05 million.  —  Jacobs should have a shot …

Princely sum is a must  —  Prince Fielder.  —  Even the name has a cool ring.  —  And Mr. Fielder will be able to buy all the decorative rings he wants when he signs his next contract.  We're talking silver rings, gold rings, platinum rings, gaudy rings, earrings, ugly rings, toe rings, nose rings, ring dings and ring tones.