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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PICKS- (associated press): a-rod issue no big deal for jeter.
Maintaining they have a fine relationship on the field and in the clubhouse, Derek Jeter
resolutely refused to discuss the deterioration of his friendship with Alex Rodriguez away
from the ballpark.
One day after A-Rod finally acknowledged the pair no longer are best friends, Jeter sat in
the same first-base dugout at Legends Field and was asked to respond.
''I don't have a rift with Alex,'' the New York Yankees captain said Tuesday. ''We go out
there. We work together. This is our fourth year to be playing together. It's annoying to
hear about it all the time. Everyone assumes they know what our relationship is. Everyone
assumes - they see us on the field, if one person gives another one a look, it's a story.
If we're at opposite ends of the bench, people say it's a story.''
Shortly after arriving at spring training on Monday, Rodriguez said it was time for him to
stop pretending that his relationship with Jeter was as close as it was in the 1990s. The
pair have drifted apart since Rodriguez made critical remarks in a 2001 Esquire article.
''I don't see the relevance of it,'' Jeter said. ''It has no bearing on us playing
baseball.''
Jeter refused to say how close he and Rodriguez are away from the ballpark.
''How would characterize it? I would characterize it as it doesn't make a difference,'' he
said. ''What we do away from the field, how much time we spend together, really makes no
difference when we're playing.''
Coming up through the Yankees' organization and becoming a key component of the unit that
won four World Series titles from 1996-2000, Jeter has worked hard to avoid discussing his
private life.
''I understand my job is public, but your personal life is your personal life. Once you
open that door, it doesn't stop,'' he said. ''Away from the field, people want to keep tabs
on how many times we go out to eat, things like that. That has no bearing on what we're
trying to do.''
Jeter was criticized by some last year for not voicing sufficient support for Rodriguez,
who struggled during the regular season and was booed at Yankee Stadium.
''From Day One I've said I support Alex,'' he said. ''The only thing I'm not going to do is
tell the fans what to do. ... I don't think it's my job to tell fans to boo or not to do.''
FREE MLB PICKS: (associated press): mets carlos delgaso arrivesat camp almost 100 percent.
Carlos Delgado arrived in Mets camp Tuesday declaring himself ready for opening day,
whether it's in St. Louis or with his wife Betzaida Garcia, for the birth of their first
child.
Delgado says he's ''pretty close'' to 100 percent after off-season surgeries on his right
wrist and left elbow. He spent his first day in camp taking a physical, swinging in the
batting cage and taking grounders at first base.
''I want to win,'' Delgado said. ''Personally, there's a lot I can do better, but I'm not
here to talk about individual accomplishments. I want to do whatever I can do to make this
team better. I think I can be more consistent with my batting average. Last year, I had one
of the worst batting averages of my career, but I also had the must fun of my career.''
Delgado also revealed his wife's official due date is April 1 - the day of the Mets'
season-opener in St. Louis.
''Right now, I've got my mind in baseball,'' Delgado said. ''The date is April 1 as of
right now. They say sometimes it's later, sometimes it's sooner. Whatever day it is, I'm
going to go.''
With the arrival of Moises Alou, 40, Ruben Sierra, 42, first baseman Julio Franco, 48,
pitcher Tom Glavine, 40, and the signing this week of 40-year-old catcher Sandy Alomar Jr.,
manager Willie Randolph fielded an odd question Tuesday - are the Mets becoming a haven for
over-40 baseball players?
''I don't know if we've become a haven for over-40 players,'' Randolph said. ''As long as
they can help us win games and produce, I don't care how old they are.''
Alou offered his own reasons for joining the Mets at this stage of his career.
''This is the first time in 16 years I showed up for a physical, so that tells you how much
I want to be here,'' Alou said. ''I know the media is tough, the fans are tough, but it's a
challenge you want to take. I want to go to the World Series again. There's only one game
on TV that day and I want to be playing.''
Alou, who played in just 98 games last year with San Francisco, is expected to help protect
the middle of the Mets lineup, while providing a much-needed right-handed bat - if he can
stay healthy.
''I feel pretty good right now,'' Alou said. ''I'm very confident that this year I'm going
to play more than 98 games. The only reason I talked about retirement the past three or
four years is because of injuries. But my father (Felipe Alou) would tell me, you can't
retire, you're my best hitter. And he was right. I can't run as fast, but I don't think
I've lost any bat speed. I'm a little smarter hitter. When you get older, you start using
your tricks. I feel like I'm one of the best hitters in the league, but injuries have just
taken away some of my at-bats.''
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FREE PICKS- (associated press): bonds recived with fanfare.
Barry Bonds arrived at spring training Tuesday with two waves for the swarm of people
waiting to see him, then quickly entered Scottsdale Stadium to get to work.
Noticeably absent were his two personal trainers, Greg Oliver and Harvey Shields, who no
longer can be with the San Francisco slugger at the ballpark. Bonds, who spent the weekend
in Las Vegas for the NBA All-Star game, was flanked by his two publicists and a Major
League Baseball security guard assigned to him.
Sportsinteraction.com has listed the Giants at +400 to win the 2007 NL West Division.
He joked with new teammate Barry Zito in their corner space of the clubhouse, then the
42-year-old Bonds made his way through the room and greeted outfielder Jason Ellison,
infielder Rich Aurilia and pitcher Matt Morris. Clubhouse staff headed his way with
undershorts and hats.
Bonds took part in a team meeting before walking to the field for the Giants' first
full-squad workout. He was scheduled to hold his annual spring media address afterward. He
begins his 22nd major league season, and 15th with San Francisco, needing only 22 home runs
to break Hank Aaron's career record of 755.
''It's going to be interesting to see how this shakes out,'' new center fielder Dave
Roberts said of the Bonds' hype. ''We'd be naive not to think he's going to be a big part
of this team. He wants to win as much as anybody.''
Bonds, the seven-time NL MVP still facing constant questions about whether his home run
pursuit was fueled by steroids, finally signed his $15.8 million, one-year contract last
week.
FREE MLB PICKS- (associated press): bosox slugger to report late.
The latest Manny Ramirez mystery surfaced Monday when teammate Julian Tavarez said his
close friend would arrive late at spring training and Boston manager Terry Francona said
that may not be true.
Tavarez said the left fielder would report March 1 as he did last year when he received
permission from the Red Sox to show up late.
The first workout of spring training for position players is set for Thursday. The official
reporting date under major league rules is Feb. 27.
''I spoke to Manny (Sunday) and he said he's going to be here March 1,'' said Tavarez, a
reliever who joined the Red Sox before last season. ''He's been going through a tough time
because his mom, you know, they told him that she had a tumor.
''It wasn't a tumor. She had surgery in between those ribs. She's at home right now
recovering and Manny's there with his mom. He's working out,'' Tavarez said. ''Nobody
believes that, but it's the truth about his mom. That's really true.''
He said Ramirez was with his mother in Weston, near Miami, about a two-hour drive east of
Fort Myers.
Ramirez requested trades the past two offseasons, but Francona said on Feb. 6, ''I think
he's OK. I don't think there's any problem.''
On Monday, Francona was reluctant to comment on Tavarez's remarks.
''That's unfair because I haven't talked to (Ramirez). There's a lot of, 'he said, she
said,' that I'm not too sure is true,'' Francona said. ''If somebody calls me and tells me
something happens, it's easier for me to comment than on his publicist (or) Julian, saying
this.''
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and Ramirez's agent, Greg Genske, did not respond to
e-mails seeking comment.
MLB FREE PICKS- (associated press): dodgers name opening day starter.
The Los Angeles Dodgers picked Derek Lowe to start on opening day for the third straight
year.
Lowe will be penciled in to pitch the team's season opener April 2 in Milwaukee, Dodgers
manager Grady Little said Tuesday. The right-hander is looking forward to redeeming himself
after he gave up seven earned runs in an 11-10 loss to Atlanta in last season's opener.
''It's always exciting to pitch opening day,'' Lowe said. ''The way I pitched last year was
disappointing, so I get another opportunity.''
Sportsbook.com has listed the Dodgers as -110 favorites to win the 2007 NL West Division.
Lowe finished 16-8 with a 3.63 ERA last year.
Although Little was quick to select his opening day starter, he said he's still working on
filling out the rest of the rotation, looking at who matches up best against particular
opponents.
Brad Penny and newcomers Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf are locks to be in the rotation. The
fifth spot is still up for grabs, with Chad Billingsley, Brett Tomko, Mark Hendrickson and
Hong-Chih Kuo among the candidates.
''Whoever we throw out there, every day we feel like we have a good chance to win,'' Little
said, adding he plans to use only four starters during the season's first two weeks.
That was good news to Lowe.
''I think early in the season it's good to keep getting out there every five days,'' he
said.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PICKS: (associated press): cubs sign zambrano.
Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $12.4 million, one-year contract Tuesday,
avoiding salary arbitration by striking the deal just before their scheduled hearing.
Zambrano earned $6.5 million last season while going 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA and 210
strikeouts. He asked for $15.5 million in arbitration, while the Cubs countered at
$11,025,000 - more than any player had been awarded.
Now, the sides can focus on trying to work out a multiyear contract, which would likely be
in the five-year range.
Sportsbook.com has listed the Cubs at +900 to win the 2007 World Series.
Zambrano told WGN-TV last week that he would leave as a free agent after the season if the
Cubs did not sign him to a long-term deal by opening day - but he backed off those comments
a few days later. He did, however, reiterate that he won't negotiate during the season and
wants to be paid on the level of fellow pitcher Barry Zito, who got a $126 million,
seven-year contract with San Francisco this offseason.
No Cubs player has gone to arbitration since Mark Grace in 1993. Zambrano said Monday he
was ''85 to 90 percent'' sure a deal would get done before the hearing. Cubs manager Lou
Piniella predicted there would be an agreement, too.
''I don't think the club needs that, and neither does the player,'' Piniella said Tuesday
afternoon.
Piniella said he attended one hearing - when he was the New York Yankees' general manager
in the late 1980s and third baseman Mike Pagliarulo went to arbitration - and it was a
''rough process.'' Piniella didn't present any arguments; he just listened. But he did
offer a compromise after the hearing.
''After it was over, I told him, 'We'll split this thing before the awards are made because
I think you're not going to be pleased with the outcome,''' Piniella recalled. ''He chose
not to, and I was right. I felt a little uncomfortable in there, to be honest.''
FREE MLB PICKS- (associated press): braves andruw jones wants new deal.
Possibly heading into his final season with the Atlanta Braves, Andruw Jones showed up for
spring training Tuesday about 10 pounds lighter and made it clear he'll be looking to get
paid ''market value'' in his new deal.
Jones, entering the final year of his contract, put up 92 homers and 257 RBIs over the past
two seasons while extending his Gold Glove streak to nine in a row. But he might be too
expensive for the Braves to keep. The team is going through an ownership change and has
reduced payroll in recent years.
''I'm under contract to the Braves right now,'' Jones said. ''Hopefully, by the end of the
season, we'll be able to accomplish something so I can stay here. I want to be a Brave for
life.''
newbodog.com has listed the Braves at +600 to win the 2007 NL East Division.
While there was a perception that Jones gave the Braves a hometown discount in his last
contract, bringing in his father to help with the negotiations instead of agent Scott
Boras, it looks as though the center fielder will be looking to get full value this time.
He can't help but notice the lucrative deals that were handed out this offseason, such as
Toronto's Vernon Wells getting $126 million over seven years and Alfonso Soriano signing a
$130 million, eight-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Jones certainly expects to be in the same ballpark.
''It's not about being greedy or humble,'' he said. ''It's a fact: That's what the market
is. It could be $50 million a year. It doesn't matter if that's what the market is.''
Braves manager Bobby Cox certainly knows that Jones will be difficult to re-sign in the
current market, though the prospective new owners could boost payroll if the deal is
approved.
''We'll try everything we can to keep him,'' Cox said. ''He's a great talent, but he's got
one of the toughest agents to deal with. (Boras) is not afraid to move his players from
their home teams.''
Jones does intend to remain in Atlanta for at least one more season. He has no-trade
privileges and intends to hold the Braves to it, especially after hearing reports last
season that he might be dealt.
''I've made it loud and clear: no trade,'' he said.
Jones certainly seems poised to have another big season, especially after dropping to 225
pounds. He believes it's the lightest he's been since 1999.
''Me and my wife had a competition to see who could lose more weight,'' Jones said. ''She
beat me. I partied too hard a couple of times.''
MLB PICKS- (associated press): Pitching for Astros fulfills dream for Williams.
Woody Williams grew up in Houston and always loved the hometown Astros.
He went to countless games with his father as a boy, gazed star-struck as the players took
batting practice, then stood outside the Astrodome after games to gather autographs.
And when the other kids in the neighborhood organized pickup games, Williams would grab his
orange Astros batting helmet, put a sticker with the number of one of his favorite players
on the back and go play.
After 14 major-league seasons, Williams is thrilled that his childhood dream has finally
crossed paths with his career.
The 40-year-old Williams signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract in November to be the
Astros' No. 3 starter, backing up Roy Oswalt and Jason Jennings.
''When you spend your whole life focusing on one goal and it finally comes, it's very, very
meaningful,'' Williams said Monday. ''I've always wanted to be an Astro. It was a lot less
to do with baseball. I just wanted to be a part of that team. I started playing baseball
when I was 6, and I've been heading in that direction since.''
Williams went 12-5 with a 3.65 ERA for San Diego in 2006, then became a free agent for the
third time since Toronto drafted him 1988. Williams tried to join the Astros twice before,
but the sides could never agree on contract terms.
Now they have, and the former University of Houston Cougar couldn't be happier.
''It's a long time coming and something I've always wanted to do,'' he said. ''I'm here and
it's so nice to put on this uniform, so nice to have the opportunity to play in my
hometown. I can't wait for us to start playing.''
But Williams knows the Astros didn't acquire him out of sentiment.
The Astros were attracted by his experience, his 4.09 career ERA, and his nine wins at
Minute Maid Park, the most by an opposing pitcher.
Williams said he always felt comfortable pitching in Houston because it was home. Now that
he's on the hometown team, he thinks he could pitch even better.
''I've always wanted to win, but I've never had the desire to win more than I do now,''
Williams said. ''Does that always equate to more wins? No. But I think being here is
something that will keep my fire going a little bit more.''
The Astros expect Williams to fill a leadership void left when Andy Pettitte bolted for the
New York Yankees. If Roger Clemens decides not to return, Williams would be the team's
second-oldest player behind Craig Biggio, who is 70 hits of 3,000 for his career.
Williams is ready to embrace any role the Astros need - as long as no one asks him to lead
and pitch in the same ways Clemens and Pettitte did.
''I can't be Roger, I can't be Andy,'' he said. ''All I can do is, when they give me the
ball, go out and do what I know I can do. Who I am is who I am. For them to ask me to be
somebody else, I can't do it.''
Williams has thought about becoming a manager after his playing days, and he isn't afraid
to speak up if he senses a problem in the clubhouse. Pitching coach Dave Wallace said
Williams is already filling a leadership role.
''He's a tremendous asset,'' Wallace said. ''He's the first one to each field, he knows
exactly what to do, what's expected, and he seems open to taking guys under his wing.''
But Williams is a pitcher before he's a mentor and is focused on contributing this season
with results more than advice. The key is staying healthy.
''The more innings I pitch, the better chance I have to win,'' he said. ''My job is to keep
my team in the game for as long as I can that day. Whatever that involves, that's my job.
That's what I'm here for, that's what my mind-set is.''
Notes: Outfielders Chris Burke, Jason Lane and Luke Scott arrived at camp Monday, two days
before position players are due to report. Burke will play center field after Willy Taveras
was traded to Colorado. Lane and Scott will compete for the starting right field position.
... Manager Phil Garner was a no-show Monday, the day after he missed practice to attend
his daughter's wedding at Disney World. Bench coach Cecil Cooper ran the workout again.
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