Yankees' Johnson focuses on approach at plate  —  Nick Johnson may have two of the slowest legs in The Bronx this summer, but Kevin Long isn't interested in the Yankees' designated hitter's foot speed.  —  Instead, the hitting coach is focused on Johnson using the lower half of his body to keep from getting beat on inside pitches.

Giants, Lincecum reach $23M, 2-year deal  —  Buzz up!  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants reached a preliminary agreement on a $23 million, two-year contract ahead of the scheduled start of an arbitration hearing.  —  The two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner …

With ongoing Damon soap opera, nothing is as it appears … Johnny Damon, with the matinee-idol looks and obvious love of the big stage, is starring in his very own soap opera this winter.  —  At first, it was thought that he was going to cash in big-time following his home run of a regular season and his World Series heroics.

Mets Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Four More:  —  12. Jeurys Familia, RHP: Familia had the best pure arm on an impressive staff at Low-A Savannah last year, but most see him in a future relief profile.  —  13. Cesar Puello, OF …

Yankees' Phil Hughes gives battle for rotation spot a start  —  TAMPA - Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain are working out at the Yankees' minor-league complex, preparing for the start of spring training next week, honing their changeups and getting used to the feel of their spikes on a mound again.

Source: Felipe Lopez fires agent  —  Free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent, Scott Boras, and signed on with the Beverly Hill Sports Council, a source told ESPN.com Friday.  —  The 29-year-old Lopez was reportedly disgruntled over still finding himself without a team, just days before the beginning of spring training.

‘Big Hurt’ Frank Thomas announces retirement after 19-year career … CHICAGO — Frank Thomas has announced his retirement following a 19-season career in which he hit 521 homers and won two American League MVP awards with the Chicago White Sox.  —  The Big Hurt made the announcement Friday.

Going camping  —  Here's a list of attendees for big-league camp, which opens Feb. 18 when pitchers and catchers officially report:  —  Staff  —  Bones, Ricky  —  Brewer, Mark  —  Castro, Lillian  —  Collins, Terry  —  Conti, Guy  —  Hale, Chip  —  Jauss, David  —  Jackson, Al

View Photo Gallery  —  This could be the year that baseball-stat freaks finally crack the “Derek Jeter enigma.”  A panel of coaches has awarded the New York Yankees' shortstop four of the past six Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence.  That drives statisticians nuts …

Classic TV Friday - Steve Garvey Sells You a Big-Ass TV - 1977  —  Back in 1977, the average television screen was no bigger than Pete Rose's noggin (which, now that I think of it, was actually pretty big).  Along came SegaVision with their 50-inch-screen and the home entertainment business was changed.

Four Mets out of minor-league options  —  When players' performances in spring training are comparable, so many times the competition is won by the player who is out of minor-league options - meaning the player who could not be sent to the minors until he cleared waivers.