10 for '10: Young aces among those at risk of Verducci Effect … Nothing is more inspirational this time of year than the pop of a well accelerated fastball into the cavern of a catcher's mitt — so welcome after a long, cold winter that the fastball's usual antagonist, the hitter, is unnecessary to its drama.

Jurrjens to have MRI on right shoulder  —  Braves hurler experienced soreness after throwing at camp  —  ATLANTA — Right-hander Jair Jurrjens will see Braves doctors later this week to learn why he has recently felt some discomfort in his right shoulder.  —  Braves general manager Frank …

Phillies Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Two-Star Prospects  —  Four More:  —  12. Jarred Cosart, RHP: This long-armed projectable righty has the raw ability to rocket up this list should his secondary pitches develop.

Texas Rangers sign outfielder Endy Chavez to minor league contract  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor league contract Monday with an invitation to spring training.  —  Chavez, 32, played 54 games with Seattle last season before suffering …

Granderson brings flexibility to camp  —  Outfielder open to moving to left, changing spots in lineup  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Curtis Granderson took turns looking over his shoulders with Brett Gardner on Monday, each of them racing back toward center field and watching baseballs safely land in their outstretched gloves.

Victor Martinez deal not up for discussion  —  FORT MYERS - Apprised of comments in yesterday's Herald that Victor Martinez would prefer to sign with the Red Sox [team stats] before reaching free agency, Theo Epstein stuck to club policy about not discussing contract talks.

Nationals To Sign Chien-Ming Wang  —  The Nationals have agreed to sign Chien-Ming Wang, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (via Twitter).  The team hasn't confirmed the agreement, but they have a press conference scheduled for Friday.  We heard last week that the Nationals were the favorites to sign the righty.

Indians extend offer to Branyan  —  Left-handed hitter would provide depth at corner positions  —  CLEVELAND — Looking for depth at the corner infield and outfield spots, the Indians have an offer on the table to free agent Russell Branyan, though it was unclear on Tuesday if it's …

Granderson Gives the Yankees an All-Star Without Pretension  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The day he signed his $30.25 million contract extension with Detroit, the new Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson celebrated with a double cheeseburger from the dollar menu at McDonald's.

Jake and Murph  —  Mike Jacobs does not have an out in his minor-league deal, meaning he would contractually be obligated to go to Triple-A Buffalo if he didn't make the Mets.  Yet if Jacobs doesn't make the major-league roster, I'd highly, highly doubt he ends up playing for the Bisons—or anywhere else in the Mets' system.

Before games, prognosticators clash  —  Sabermetricians weigh in on 2010 season, spurring debate  —  The Yankees will once again rule in the AL East.  The Rangers will supplant the Angels atop the AL West.  And Joey Votto will put up some monster numbers for the Reds.

Phillies built for long run  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  —  CLEARWATER, FLA.  —  Enough lamenting.  —  Tempting as it was for the Phillies to pair Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee in the same rotation …

Is Mauer worth the long-term risk?  —  Joe Mauer is the hometown hero and three-time AL batting champ.  But contracts for eight years and longer are rare and risky, especially for catchers.  —  If you want to become the most unpopular sportswriter in Minnesota, try listing the potential drawbacks …