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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Carlos Delgado will consider retirement if no adequate offers for 2010 materialize  —  Former New York Mets cleanup hitter Carlos Delgado will consider retirement if he does not receive an adequate offer to play next season, Puerto Rico newspaper Primera Hora reported Wednesday.

For Sox, Central planning starts with Peavy  —  A couple of weeks ago, Chicago White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper mentioned to Jake Peavy that he was in the process of mapping out the starting rotation, and picking the starter for Opening Day.  Not long after, Peavy phoned Cooper and told …

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 …

Vick: I ‘settled for mediocrity’ with Falcons  —  A contrite Michael Vick told an Atlanta radio station Wednesday he wishes he had been more dedicated to his craft while quarterbacking the Falcons.  —  It was one of many regrets Vick expressed in the interview with 790 AM The Zone.

Mets' Daniel Murphy gets help at first base from veteran Keith Hernandez at spring training  —  Keith Hernandez won 11 straight Gold Gloves at first base during his playing career.  And now Hernandez's expertise isn't being limited to television commentary about the first-base foibles of players such as Mike Piazza and Carlos Delgado.