Red Sox bench a deep issue  —  Skilled vets abound  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] have a rich tradition of bench players.  Billy Goodman, for one, won a batting title and finished second in the MVP race in 1950 despite …

St. Louis Cardinals close to signing Felipe Lopez  —  • The St. Louis Cardinals are close to agreement with free agent utility player Felipe Lopez on a one-year contract that would offer infield depth and add a much-needed lefthanded bat, sources close to negotiations confirmed Friday.

Spring rotation announced, Gaudin gets opener  —  In Joe Girardi's spring training office, one wall is covered by a massive dry-erase board configured into a calendar.  It's been fairly blank since camp opened, but this afternoon is was covered with players initials, outlining the Yankees rotation …

Red Sox Still In On Ruiz  —  Earlier this week, the Blue Jays appeared to be taking the lead in the race to sign Cuban first base prospect Jose Julio Ruiz.  But don't count out the Red Sox yet, says ESPN's Jorge Arangure, Jr. in a recent blog post.  —  Arangure cites a “source knowledgeable …

Blocked by Jeter, a Backup Finds Other Work  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Literally and figuratively, Mick Kelleher was once in Ramiro Pena's position.  As a shortstop in the St. Louis Cardinals organization in the late 1960s and early '70s, Kelleher played four years in the minors behind the incumbent, Dal Maxvill.

O's Scott takes issue with MLB gun ban  —  He says rule punishes all for poor choices by some  —  SARASOTA, Fla. - - Orioles designated hitter Luke Scott understands the purpose behind Major League Baseball's recent directive prohibiting guns and other deadly weapons from clubhouses, and said he'll abide by it.

PADRES: Gonzalez an asset that needs protection  —  LACKING LINEUP SUPPORT, SLUGGER LED NL IN WALKS LAST SEASON  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — No heavy research is needed to discover the key to the Padres' offensive success this season.  —  Protect Adrian Gonzalez, or else.  —  It's that simple.

Thames can opt out  —  In a way, veteran Marcus Thames and Rule 5 pick Jamie Hoffmann are in the same boat this spring.  They're both right-handed outfielders who will either make the major league roster, or likely won't be in the Yankees organization at all.

Wright-Bay? ...  Or Bay-Wright?  —  Jerry Manuel said Friday that he's unsure about whether it should be David Wright-Jason Bay in the Nos. 4 and 5 slots, or vice versa, but he envisions the Opening Day lineup like this:  —  Pagan, cf  —  Castillo, 2b  —  Reyes, ss  —  Wright, 3b / Bay, lf

NY Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett worked on changeup with longtime reliever Arthur Rhodes … TAMPA, Fla. — Encouraged by a full season of watching CC Sabathia dominated hitters with his changeup, Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett spent his entire offseason trying to improve his own version of the pitch.

Phillies' payroll projected at $136.55 million  —  Howard, Halladay club's highest-paid players for 2010  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies' projected Opening Day payroll is at least $136.55 million.  —  The Phillies recently inked their remaining unsigned players who are not eligible for salary arbitration.

Posada on the 5th starter race: Bring your A-Game now  —  Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes each threw 30-something pitches in their live BP session today, which we'll detail in a moment.  —  Jorge Posada caught Hughes and hit against Joba (who threw a sharp slider that grazed off Posada's front foot) …