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.

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” …

Farrell addresses an issue with Aceves  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alfredo Aceves took the mound on Field 4 on Sunday afternoon to throw live batting practice to teammate Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  The drill is designed to simulate game conditions for the pitcher and hitter.

Trade rumors behind him, Kubel's focus on field  —  After late-season struggles, D-backs outfielder determined to produce all year  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Based on the hot stove chatter, the fact that Jason Kubel was in D-backs camp when it opened this past week was a bit of a surprise.

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.

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. …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.