David Wright says he expects NY Mets to win NL East, go deep in playoffs … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — David Wright doesn't share the low expectations some fans have for the Mets this year.  The third baseman said Wednesday he expects the Mets to win the National League East and make a run in the playoffs …

Excited Vazquez arrives at Yankees camp  —  Back in pinstripes, veteran concerned about only winning  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Just prior to Javier Vazquez's first season in Montreal, the Expos traded their defending National League Cy Young Award winner, Pedro Martinez, to the Red Sox …

Sources: Cards, Padres pursuing Lopez  —  Fox Sports  —  The Cardinals and Padres are among the four teams currently pursuing free agent infielder Felipe Lopez, multiple sources told FOXSports.com.  —  Lopez played for St. Louis in 2008, and the Cardinals' interest may be linked …

“You Suck—Welcome Back!!”  —  That's basically how arbitration hearings are described by the few people who have been inside the room and talked about it afterward.  The team makes it's best case that the player doesn't deserve what he's asking for, while the player sticks up for himself.

Free Player Injury Database  —  When I started working on Rotobase I knew I wanted to generate notes like the following: … However all the databases out there are either proprietary, or don't allow for easy access to the underlying data for analysis.  So, I started developing my own database, starting with 2009.

Theo Epstein: Daisuke Matsuzaka's back strain is not serious  —  Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told a group of reporters on Wednesday morning in Fort Myers, Fla. that Daisuke Matsuzaka has what the team believes to be a mild back strain but that it would not prevent the pitcher from having a normal spring training.

Catcher Joe Mauer will test staying power with Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The sun is a rumor at 5:30 in the morning.  The temperature is a bone-chilling 5 degrees, with a wind chill south of zero.  Lungs sting just trying to catch a breath.  —  And a line of humanity, bundled from head to toe …

Girardi: “The expectation here is the same every year”  —  Just got back from the Joe Girardi press conference.  As expected, the bulk of the conversation was about attempting to repeat as World Series champions.  —  “The expectation here is the same every year,” Girardi said.

Jurrjens relieved after receiving MRI results  —  Count Jair Jurrjens among the many members of the Braves family who gained a sense of relief on Wednesday morning, when MRI results showed that he isn't dealing with any structural damage in his right shoulder.

Sore subject for Escobar  —  Reliever Kelvim Escobar recently experienced shoulder soreness and will be treated gingerly as Mets pitchers and catchers officially report Thursday.  Escobar experienced the trouble last month while ramping up for spring training and was examined by team doctor David Altchek.

Royals report to Arizona with revamped roster … Anthony Lerew, also out of options, showed some potential in three September starts.  Rule 5 pick Edgar Osuna must make the club or be offered back to Atlanta.  He's a lefty, which is a plus in an otherwise righty mix, but could also claim a spot in the bullpen.

Fire all the third-base coaches!  —  Stop signs are fine at intersections, but they're not worth much at the hot corner  —  Editor's note: Hot Stove U. is a six-week course devoted to higher learning, a series consisting of 30 need-to-know topics for 2010.  —  The setup

Jerry Manuel Vows to Make Mets Spring Training About Actual Training  —  ​Looking for bright spots as the Mets pitchers and catchers report?  Here's one: Jerry Manuel has vowed to put his team through a starter course in fielding fundamentals.  If you doubt they need it, consider some of these facts:

Former Major League pitcher Jim Bibby dies at 65  —  Jim Bibby, a longtime Madison Heights resident and former Major League Baseball player, died Tuesday night at Lynchburg General Hospital.  He was 65.  —  Bibby died around 9 p.m., said Jimmy Wright, a close family friend.

Stark: Goodbye offseason, hello spring training  —  Leaving winter in the rearview mirror, and eyeing what awaits in Florida and Arizona  —  We're not sure what winter looked and felt like where you live.  But from where we live, in the tundra formerly known as Pennsylvania …