Scouts see pluses for new-look Sox  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  Scouts have infiltrated southwest Florida and laid their eyes upon the Red Sox [team stats].  —  Here are a few of their observations, beginning with the No. 1 development of the Red Sox' spring:

Left-hander Garrett Olson wants to head north  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - On road trips, the left-handed reliever likes to sneak away, stealing a moment for himself in the cheap seats.  Accompanied by his Nikon D700, he sets up shop high above home plate.  —  Garrett Olson chooses a lens.

Firmly in place, Lucchino is up for the challenge  —  Larry Lucchino expects to be with the Red Sox for years to come.  —  While the team's president/CEO may not have officially signed a new deal, he said, “I've reached an understanding on it, for the most part.  I'll just leave it at that.

Yoenis Cespedes was very close to being a Cub  —  PHOENIX — Cuban superstar Yoenis Cespedes said he was willing to sign with the Cubs and had reason to believe this winter that he might wind up in Chicago.  —  The bottom line, Cespedes told the Sun-Times on Saturday, was that the Cubs offered six years …

Rivera Throws Scoreless Inning as Yanks Top Astros  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Mariano Rivera makes spring training look like a breeze,  —  Rivera threw his third consecutive scoreless inning in the New York Yankees' 6-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday.  —  “I feel good,” Rivera said.

Could La Russa end up with Dodgers?  —  There's just one problem with Tony La Russa becoming a key decision-maker for the Los Angeles Dodgers if Steve Cohen succeeds in buying the club.  —  La Russa is such a strong personality, his presence might diminish the Dodgers' chances of hiring …

Yankees' Garcia not thrilled about fellow veteran Pettitte's return  —  TAMPA — With memories of postseasons past dancing in their heads, many of Andy Pettitte's former teammates welcomed the news of his return to the Yankees.  —  “Andy can help us big- time,” said Mariano Rivera …

Betancourt moves into picture at second  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Yuniesky Betancourt has put himself in the running for the Royals' second-base job, along with Johnny Giavotella and Chris Getz.  —  Betancourt started at second base in Saturday night's game against the Padres for further evaluation.

Cruz's homer helps Dodgers tie Giants  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Brandon Belt homered and hit a game-knotting sacrifice fly Saturday night in a 3-3 split-squad tie at Camelback Ranch before a Cactus League-record 13,655 fans.  —  Belt's two-run wind-blown home run into the Dodgers bullpen gave …

Phillies stop Jays in extra innings  —  Hector Luna's RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Philadelphia Phillies over a Toronto Blue Jays split squad 4-3 on Saturday.  —  Brian Bocock hit a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the ninth, but Freddy Galvis answered with a solo shot in the bottom half.

Ramirez Homers for Marlins in Loss to Twins  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Hanley Ramirez is healthy this spring, and the results are showing.  —  Ramirez hit his second home run and Ricky Nolasco pitched five solid innings Saturday but a Miami Marlins split squad lost to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, 5-2.

Kubel cracks pair of homers in D-backs' win  —  Dingers are slugger's first of spring; Saunders goes three innings  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Powered by a pair of home runs by left fielder Jason Kubel, the D-backs rallied from an early deficit to complete an 8-6 come-from-behind victory …