Jeter won't worry about contract until fall  —  Yankees captain says he doesn't want to be free agent  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The contract that bears Derek Jeter's swirling signature obligates him to wear the pinstripes for just one more season, but the Yankees captain refuses to think about his upcoming free agency.

Nats president shares optimism about direction of club  —  Nationals president Stan Kasten has good reason to be upbeat these days.  The club improved its roster this past offseason by signing free agents Matt Capps, Jason Marquis and Ivan Rodriguez, while trading for reliever Brian Bruney.

Nationals' roster seems unusually well-defined  —  In two days, the Washington Nationals will hold their first full-squad workout.  In 40 days, the Nationals will play their first game.  Normally the period between Practice No. 1 and Game No. 1 causes untold roster contortions, but this year's Nationals seem already well-defined.

Williams not happy about Ozzie's venture into Twitter  —  “I feel nice and relax today I don't know why yeeessssssss carlos quentin and rios in camp b ready people”— Ozzie Guillen tweet on Wednesday morning.  —  GLENDALE, Ariz.—Little catches Ken Williams off guard, especially as far as his White Sox organization is concerned.

Cashman: Granderson is the center fielder  —  Braaaaaaaains.  (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)  —  The latest motif out of Tampa has been the Yankees' quiet Spring Training.  Without a new manager or A-Rod's PED revelations to rile up New York's sports media world, most commentators and reporters …

Archive for the ‘Sports Insider’ Category  —  Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez took a physical, went through a Major League Baseball-mandated physical and worked out after arriving at camp on Wednesday.  Gonzalez —  who hit .277 with 40 homers and 99 RBIs —

Feel The Glove … It was just another ball game in early April, played in front of a sparse and sleepy Thursday afternoon crowd in Minneapolis.  But for those watching and paying attention, it was a glimpse into the future.  In the bottom of the first inning of a game between the Twins and the Mariners …

Miller deserves to be in Hall  —  Despite acrimony, groundwork for current peace was laid  —  I remember the first strike: March 31, 1972.  I was covering my first Spring Training for The Boston Globe, and Bud Collins and I were at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. …

Berkman: Subpar season could mean exit from Astros  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Astros first baseman Lance Berkman knows this is a make-or-break season.  —  If he doesn't play well, that means the Astros likely will struggle.  And it could mean he's playing elsewhere next season.

Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria: I expect us to make the playoffs  —  Jeffrey Loria and Fredi Gonzalez chat on Wednesday as Chris Coghlan takes some hacks.  (Joe Capozzi)  —  Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria just spoke with reporters about a range of topics — from his expectations of reaching …

Baseball Plans to Test for H.G.H. in Minors  —  Major League Baseball, which had long been skeptical about a viable test for human growth hormone, now plans to implement blood testing for the substance in the minor leagues later this year, according to an official in baseball with direct knowledge of the matter.

D-backs hope to lock up Montero  —  Kendrick open to long-term deal with talented catcher  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Add catcher Miguel Montero's name to the list of players the D-backs are interested in signing to a multiyear contract.  —  The club is currently negotiating with third baseman Mark Reynolds …

With Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui gone, time for Robinson Cano to be clutch for New York Yankees  —  TAMPA - In theory the Yankees have replaced Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui sufficiently enough so that the offense should continue to be the most imposing in the American League.