The Week Ahead

Spring Training arrives at last this week, clouded, of course, by the allegations against Alex Rodriguez. The guy has to come do something today or tomorrow to salvage his reputation, career, and life. No, he didn't kill anyone, but for someone who has already been wildly unpopular at times among his own fans, he's got serious damage control to do.

The always classy (and yes that is blatantly sarcastic) NY Post had A-Rod's face on the cover this morning with the headline, "A-Hole". Mike Vaccarro, please come back to the Star-Ledger and away from those bad, bad people.

The media and many fans would like know the names of the 103 other players that test positive in 2003. As much as we'd like to know, this was all supposed to be confidential, and the A-Rod leak should not change that.

Andruw Jones finally found a home over the weekend, signing a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. Jones will make a half-mill with a chance to earn another million. Apparently hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo was a big influence in Jones' decision making process.

On Friday, the Dodgers inked free agent left-hander Randy Wolf to a 1 year, $5 million contract. He's coming off a 12-12, 4.30 season split between the Padres and Astros. Wolf also pitched a career high 190.1 innings.

No arbitration for Ryan Howard. The slugger avoid arbitration when he and the Phillies agreed to a 3 year, $54 million deal. Howard was asking $18 million per season in arbitration, while the team offered $14 million. Apparently the Phillies were worried about Howard making $18 this year and even more next year.

Orioles closer George Sherrill avoided arbitration by agreeing to a 1 year, $2.75 contract with the Orioles. Sherrill's name will certainly be mentioned, as it was last year, at the trade deadline.