Wilpon should make good on debt-free claim by pursuing closer Valverde  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Since Fred Wilpon just announced to the world he's debt-free and ready to spend, well ... here's a free agent for the taking who could help immediately:  —  The door remains “slightly ajar” …

Downsized expectations for Red Sox' Mike Napoli  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — He was a catcher, now he is a first baseman.  He had a three-year, $39 million contract, now he has a one-year, $5 million contract.  He was a 31-year-old athlete with more fortune and glory ahead of him.

MLB set for arbitration shutout  —  NEW YORK — Baseball is set to finish its first arbitration shutout.  —  Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey and San Diego Padres left-hander Clayton Richard agreed to one-year contracts Saturday, making it all but certain there will be no salary arbitration hearings …

Rangers notes: Last season's collapse a distant memory  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Last season's collapse is a distant memory in the Texas Rangers' clubhouse.  —  So distant that manager Ron Washington spent little time addressing it during his annual speech before the first full-squad workout Saturday morning.

Giants confident Sandoval will drop weight  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Concerns about third baseman Pablo Sandoval's weight have become a rite of spring.  —  Sandoval's waistline is again an issue.  “I don't think that question will go away, to be quite honest,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday.

Minor League Transactions: Feb. 5-13  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Feb. 5-13.  —  Article XX-B major league free agents who sign minor league contracts, such as Jason Giambi or Daisuke Matsuzaka (below), are entitled to a $100,000 …

Sophomore jump for Jordany Valdespin?  He has a lot of competition  —  Photo credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa |  Mets left fielder Jordany Valdespin fields a ground ball during spring training baseball in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2013)  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. …

Brenly: Deal to return to Cubs' booth fell through at last minute  —  Former Chicago Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly talks about how he was set to return to the Cubs until a last-minute snag in negotiations.  —  MESA, Ariz. - Former Chicago Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly said he was planning to return …

Crane addresses Astros before first workout  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros owner Jim Crane addressed the club prior to the first full-squad workout on Saturday, along with general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter.  —  “I gave them a little bit of my background,” Crane said.

Dodgers' Greinke learning about himself and his social anxiety disorder  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Zack Greinke is not unique.  —  He hates traffic as much as anyone transplanted to Southern California.  In fact, after signing with the Dodgers as a free agent this winter, he wanted to live on a beach.

Start of something big: Chapman's transition begins  —  Reds stay mum on details of left-hander's move from bullpen to rotation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The bold decision by the Reds to have pitcher Aroldis Chapman shift from closer to the rotation this spring has been one of the most talked about scenarios in baseball all winter.