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After waiting until spring training and failing to land a job to his satisfaction, free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt has told major league clubs that he might pull a Roger Clemens and return midseason, according to a baseball source.

The Cincinnati Reds and former Phillies closer Ryan Madson have agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal, according to a source.

Cliff Lee spurned bigger offers from the Yankees and Rangers and agreed to a five-year, guaranteed $120 million contract with the Phillies late Monday, sources said.

Which teams did the best job of upgrading at the July and August trade deadlines? And which clubs failed miserably?

Plenty of competition battles around the big leagues as spring training begins in earnest.

Jerry Crasnick runs down the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each of the 30 teams heading into the 2006 season.

Advance scouting helps teams keep track of opponents and gain competitive intelligence.

Story | Conversation | September 23, 2005

While some outfielders have already been dealt, there are others still on the market.

Story | Conversation | July 19, 2005

How significant is the Latino influence in baseball? It's deeper and more profound than ever, writes Jerry Crasnick.

Story | Conversation | July 12, 2005

Insider surveyed 15 major leaguers on the state of player-fan relations, and several seemed legitimately concerned about the way things are headed.

Story | Conversation | May 27, 2005

The 2005-06 free-agent crop looks like a downer – short on starting pitching and long on aging icons.

Story | Conversation | February 01, 2005

Will San Diego's approach alienate fans? Can the Phillies contend in the NL East? Answers to these, and plenty more.

Story | Conversation | January 14, 2005

When there are salaries to be dumped and superstars to be accommodated, it's time to talk trade.

Story | Conversation | November 17, 2004

The GM meetings laid the foundation for an active Hot Stove experience at the winter meetings in December.

Story | Conversation | November 11, 2004

Agent Scott Boras has come up with a new designation for his top clients -- "icon players."

Story | Conversation | November 10, 2004

Baseball executives like the depth of this winter's free-agent pitching contingent.

Story | Conversation | November 09, 2004