Team counting on Jacobs at first  —  NAPLES — Since Wes Helms won't be returning, the Marlins are prepared to give Mike Jacobs another shot at being the team's full-time first baseman in 2007.  —  Jacobs, who came into 2006 as the starter, wound up splitting time with Helms because of a sore right ankle.

Is Glavine returning to Atlanta?  —  NAPLES, Fla. - The longer Tom Glavine delays his decision about returning to the Mets, one National League general manager speculated Thursday, the better the chances that he will rejoin the Braves.  —  Glavine, 40, will become a free agent at midnight Monday …

Phillies pitch to Soriano  —  Waiting for response after informing free agent of interest  —  NAPLES, Fla. - Talk is cheap.  Signing free agents isn't.  —  And somewhere in the middle is where the Phillies find themselves after meeting with free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano at a hotel near …

Manny might be a bargain at $17M  —  NAPLES, Fla. - The chances of the Red Sox making another offseason blockbuster move - trading Manny Ramirez, in particular - remain slim, but they did increase at the general managers meetings, which concluded yesterday.  —  GMs are realizing there is a lot …

A's set to name bench coach Geren new manager  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Bob Geren will be promoted from bench coach to manager of the Oakland Athletics, according to a high-ranking baseball official.  —  The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the team won't introduce Geren …

Washington Nationals Baseball Club opens two additional retail outlets  —  Official team stores set to open in North Bethesda and Downtown Washington in time for the holiday shopping season  —  The Washington Nationals today announced that the franchise will open two additional retail stores …

EXECS: ZITO WILL END UP A MET  —  NAPLES, Fla. - Eight execu tives were queried as they departed the GM Meetings yesterday on where they thought free agent Barry Zito would end up, and five predicted the Mets.  —  Omar Minaya would not comment on either that perception or on where his club stands with Zito.

Santana unanimous choice for AL Cy Young Award  —  Minnesota Twins left-hander Johan Santana has been voted the AL Cy Young award winner, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced Thursday.  —  Santana was a unanimous choice for the award — the second time in three years he has won by a unanimous vote.

Smart money on Yanks, Mets  —  Cash, Omar showing some fiscal restraint  —  NAPLES, Fla. — The Mets left first yesterday, with Omar Minaya joined by his closest advisers, Tony Bernazard, Sandy Johnson and John Ricco.  Brian Cashman spent a few more hours at the Naples Grande Resort …

Rangers lay groundwork  —  Daniels doesn't sign or trade anyone, but possibilities are many  —  NAPLES, Fla. - Despite an aggressive approach to trades and free agents, Rangers officials will leave the Major League Baseball general managers meetings this morning without an acquisition.

Free Agents Want Off-Season to Lead to More Free Spending  —  Most of the general managers scurried out of town Thursday afternoon, a little ahead of schedule.  But during the meetings here they made several free-agent signings that heralded a free-spending winter.

Restoring the Balance of Tim Hudson  —  A quick stats check confirms that 2006 was not the best year for Tim Hudson.  What is interesting, of course, is to ask why.  Random variation?  Or was there something else going on?  —  I am always interested to read or hear what a player …

Rockies likely to lose Jennings as vaults open  —  Naples, Fla. - On Monday night, a comedian provided after-dinner entertainment for the general managers.  Even free, he wasn't funny, setting the tone for a week that became more humorless with each free-agent contract.

Thanks to humidor, baseball's climate may change  —  NAPLES, Fla. - San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers used to avoid watching his team play at Coors Field.  —  "It's one of the most beautiful ballparks there is, even the upper deck, where you look out at the mountains, but the games were ugly," Towers said.

Dodgers close to keeping Nomar  —  Garciaparra, the comeback player of the year, is expected to get a multiyear contract.  Drew's departure makes his bat more valuable.  —  Nomar Garciaparra's desire to continue to report for work at Chavez Ravine has eroded reluctance within …

Spiezio will return  —  Scott Spiezio reached the Cardinals last February with a red soul patch, a nonguaranteed contract and a need to remind the sport that his career had not ended in the 2002 World Series.  —  Thursday, Spiezio reached agreement with the Cardinals on a two-year …