The Giants are hoping their strong pitching staff will allow them to win another National League West crown. They have kept their 2010 pitching staff in intact, which isn't a bad idea considering the fact that they won the World Series last season. It was their first championship since 1955. "I think legitimately we can start the season saying that our goal is to win the division," general manager Brian Sabean said. "We should be in a position to be favored to do that. We have to live up to that."

Frank Viola is returning to baseball, agreeing to become the pitching coach for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones, an affiliate of the Mets. The 1988 AL Cy Young Award winner, now 50, pitched for the Mets from 1989-91 and retired as a player in 1996.

Manny Ramirez arrived in Tampa on Sunday to finalize his contract with the Rays. Ramirez, 38, has been working out in Arizona and looked to be in tremendous shape. "I am. I am," he said. "Last year, I weighed like 237. This offseason, I'm down to 225, and I feel good." Ramirez hit .293 with 28 homers and 105 RBIs in 196 games over the past two seasons with the Dodgers and White Sox.

Dustin Ackley, Seattle's top prospect, isn't going to rush his major league debut. He is expected to be called up at some point this season. "I really haven't thought about where I'm going to be," Ackley said. "I'm hoping for good things this Spring Training. I'm going to push for a job, whether that's Triple-A or the big leagues. I'll accept either way. They're going to put me where it's best for the team. And if that is Triple-A, then that's where it'll be." Ackley made the jump from Double-A West Tennessee to Triple-A Tacoma around midseason last year, then dominated the Arizona Fall League with a Most Valuable Player campaign in which he hit .424. The second overall pick in 2009, Ackley is the fifth-rated prospect in baseball in the recent MLB.com rankings.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer is focused on being more durable heading into the 2011 season. He is coming off a number of nagging injuries suffered last season and minor surgery in December to alleviate some swelling in his left knee. Mauer has also advised closer Joe Nathan, who had elbow surgery last year, to take it slow. "My advice to Nathan, I'm taking that to heart, too," Mauer said, looking ahead to his own spring plan. "I should be ready to go when we report. Just got to be smart about it and get ready for the season."

Derek Jeter is skilled enough to play any position, according to former teammate Bernie Williams. Williams played in the outfield for the Yankees for 16 seasons and won several World Series titles with Jeter as a teammate at shortstop. "He's a very good athlete," Williams said. "I'm not in any way saying that he's going to play center field, but I think he probably can play any position that he can get his mind into -- probably not catcher. Probably anything else, he'd be able to do." Yankees general manager Brian Cashman created a stir last week when he said that Jeter was more likely to move to center field than third base if a position switch is required during his contract. "I think that the kind of player that he is, he's probably going to do what's best for the team, because that's the way he has been," Williams said. "As an outsider looking in, he's always had this personality of being very team-oriented."

Coming off a division title, Jay Bruce is expecting big things for the Reds in 2011. Cincinnati recently signed Bruce to a long-term extension. "Obviously, with the extension, I know where I'm going to be for the next six-to-seven years. But expectations wise, it's the same," Bruce said. "We're trying to go out and have a better season next year. I'm trying to improve as a player in order to help my team win. We have a great thing going now. I'm really excited about it." Last season, Bruce set career highs across the board offensively as he batted .281 with 25 home runs, 70 RBIs and a .353 on-base percentage.

Major League Baseball plans to award the 2013 All-Star Game to Citi Field, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. An official said Saturday that an official announcement may not come for months. It was announced in June of 2010 that the 2012 All-Star Game will be played in Kansas City. "We went back to Yankee Stadium because it was the last year of what I believe was the most famous cathedral in American sports, and maybe the world," commissioner Bud Selig told ESPNNewYork.com at last year's All-Star Game. "And I think it was appropriate to honor. Frankly, to be candid with you too, I did it because of George [Steinbrenner]. But the Mets have built a great new ballpark and, yes, they deserve an All-Star Game."

Jorge Posada is adjusting to his new primary role as New York's designated hitter. He looks forward to the role, but expects to catch at some point during the 2011 season. "You know what, it is what it is," Posada said of his new role. "I look forward to everything I do. I try to help out the team and if that's going to help out the team and if that's what they want then I'm OK with it. "It's going to be tough during the season to see tough games ... behind the plate," he added. "Obviously that's going to happen. But other than that, if we are doing well and the team is doing well it's going to be a little easier." Posada, the long-time catcher of the Yankees, was at first resistant to the change. "I'll catch, I'll catch. I'll catch this year. You know, I'll DH and then they're going to want me to catch one of those days," Posada said. "... I'm keeping open minded; I would love to catch. I'm training like I always do. And if I have to catch, I'll catch."

Brad Penny insists he's healthy and ready to help the Tigers after an injury-plagued 2010 season. Penny pitched well for St. Louis last season before going on the disabled list in late May with a back injury. Detroit signed Penny to a one-year deal earlier this month despite the fact that he hasn't pitched in a major-league game in eight months.