Smoltz waiting for a job (and could he be a Brave again?)  —  Spring training opens next week and John Smoltz doesn't have a job.  This might unnerve most 42-year-old pitchers who don't want to hear from baseball people or medical people or certainly Joe-in-section-312-with-nacho-sauce- on-his-chin-people that his career might be over.

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.

Mets Near Deal With Another Japanese Pitcher  —  Since 1997, when they signed an obscure reliever out of the Japanese minor leagues, the Mets have had more players from Japan than any other major league team.  That international connection remains strong to this day and now the Mets are close …

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 …

New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter's only goal is to repeat as he enters final year of contract  —  TAMPA - For Derek Jeter, there is no time for wallowing in the confetti of a championship parade, no lingering over the toasts to another Yankee title.  Jeter took just four weeks off …

Giants, Lincecum still in negotiations  —  The Giants are taking their negotiations with Tim Lincecum down to the wire.  With an arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday, the sides have discussed parameters for a multiyear contract.  —  A major-league source said the Giants have made a three-year …

The Firstbase Situation  —  More photos » Charlie Riedel - AP  —  After signing Mike Jacobs to a minor-league contract, the Mets will enter Spring Training with 5 firstbaseman, who, if not exactly in a competition, all have some shot at the major league roster.

Verlander reports Bonderman in fine form  —  Staff ace confident No. 4 starter taking big strides  —  DETROIT — Justin Verlander said the throws have life on them, more than he saw last year.  He talked about making adjustments, going back to the basics.  He's really excited about the progress.

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.

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 …

With elbow surgery behind him, Johan Santana looking ready for big season with Mets  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - I've been behind the plate, catching Johan Santana for perhaps 10 minutes, so far thrilled that nothing has escaped my glove, and grateful that only one pitch has confirmed my concern …

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.

Why is Jermaine Dye looking for work?  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  —  In the past five seasons, Jermaine Dye is first among American League outfielders in home runs and second in RBIs, according to STATS LLC.

Grffin: Money can't buy baseball happiness  —  Cynical baseball observers point to the Yankees and their World Series wins and simply shrug - anyone can spend money to win.  —  The Bombers bought a championship, after all.  Anyone could do the same given the Bronx Bombers' financial resources.

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.