Good morning. Here are your Tuesday morning PRO Rumors to read while you’re headed to work, but don’t read them while driving.

• Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury does not think that Barry Bonds will become a hitting coach with the San Francisco Giants. He does say that many in the Giants organization have not met him, but are eager to learn from the home run king. Bonds has not officially retired, and once his court cases clear up and he does officially retire, his ten-year personal service contract with the team will kick in.
• Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post talks about how Rockies’ outfielder Ryan Spilborghs physically and mentally prepared for the season. Rather than play winter ball, he decided to rent a palce in Santa Barbara, California and work out with Dr. Marcus Elliott. Elliott, was recently named the Mariners’ director of sports science and has instructed the Mariners to go almost entirely without lifting weights in their training while focusing on movements used during a game.
  
• Mike Puma of The New York Post says that newly acquired outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. felt comfortable at the leadoff spot during the Mets intrasquad scrimmage yesterday. Matthews said that he’s a natural choice for the Mets leadoff spot. Angel Pagan and Matthews are competing for the center field spot until Carlos Beltran returns.
• Cubs manager Lou Piniella may start 19-year-old Starlin Castro at shortstop on Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Castro is the the hottest prospect in the Cubs’ system.
• Jim Galloway of The Atlanta Journal Constitution says that the Republican party may approach pitcher John Smoltz about the soon-to-be vacant seas of U.S. Representative John Linder. Linder announced that he won’t be seeking a 10th term in Congress over the weekend. Smoltz told Mark Bowman of MLB.com via text, “this is not in my plans.”
• Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe talks about Red Sox’ catcher Victor Martinez and how he almost quit baseball when the Indians asked him to switch from shortstop to catcher.
• Eri Yoshida, the first woman drafted by a Japanese team, was in Red Sox camp to meet Daisuke Matsuzaka. Yoshida is an 18-year-odl sidearm knuckleballer. (Peter Abraham The Boston Globe)
  

Related posts:

1. New York Mets Rumors: Omir Santos, John Smoltz, Carlos Delgado, Gary Matthews Jr.
2. John Smoltz Rumors: Not ruling out return to Braves
3. John Smoltz Rumors: Waiting until mid-season to play?
4. John Smoltz Rumors: Seeking a deal of at least $3 million
5. John Smoltz Rumors: Nationals interested but will not break the bank