Bill Mueller retires, takes front office job with Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES - Former AL batting champion Bill Mueller, limited to 32 games with the Dodgers last season before undergoing what turned out to be career-ending knee surgery, retired Friday and will serve as a special assistant to Los Angeles general manager Ned Colletti.

Gonzalez, Reds agree to three-year, $14 million deal  —  ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez has negotiated a three-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, pending a physical.  —  Gonzalez, a slick-fielding shortstop who replaced Edgar Renteria in Boston …

Rangers misread system's insanity  —  No need for any "aw shucks" foot-shuffling or red faces out at the corner of Ballpark Way and Randol Mill Road.  No apologies necessary.  —  They stepped to the plate and took a swing at reputedly the best pitcher on the market this winter.

Mets discussing two-year contract for Alou  —  The Mets are discussing a two-year contract with free-agent outfielder Moises Alou, FOXSports.com has learned, a deal that would add another older veteran to the team's roster and increase the possibility that outfielder Lastings Milledge would be traded.

GM Williams up in arms  —  Williams fired up over 'misleading' report that Sox are set to deal for Angels' Santana  —  White Sox general manager Ken Williams emphasized pitching and defense Friday as areas in need of improvement for the White Sox this off-season.

Brave new world, or back at Shea?  —  Mets, set to decline option as promised, believe Glavine will decide after Thanksgiving  —  Despite their efforts to the contrary, the Mets can do nothing but wait for Tom Glavine to become a free agent Monday when the team, as promised …

Glavine, Zito on Omar list  —  Omar Minaya returned from the GM meetings in Florida with several smaller items scratched off his winter to-do list.  He now can focus on making decisions about the bigger names on the Mets' radar, including free agent Barry Zito and waffling incumbent Tom Glavine.

White Sox close to dealing Garland  —  The White Sox are close to trading right-hander Jon Garland, according to a rival executive, and the Rangers appear to be the most logical fit.  —  The Rangers pursued Garland at the general managers' meetings in Naples, Fla., and White Sox G.M. Ken Williams …

Angels may want Drew as their center fielder  —  Dodgers fans who are upset about J.D. Drew's decision to opt out of his contract last week might not have to travel far to express their displeasure with the outfielder.  The Angels, according to industry sources, are interested in signing Drew to play center field.

Padres' Waller dropped after 19 years with team  —  Another longtime Padres employee is departing the organization.  —  First-base coach Tye Waller, who spent 19 years with the Padres, said he is seeking a job with another franchise after being told by manager Buddy Black he is being replaced.

Eldred in the groove for championship  —  First baseman riding five-game hit streak into league playoff  —  Grand Canyon's Brad Eldred saw his average plummet to .170, while his massive 6-foot-5, 275-pound frame generated just one homer and three doubles over 13 games.

Notes: Focus returns to rotation  —  With Thomas signed, arms once again top priority  —  TORONTO — Now that Frank Thomas can officially be fitted for his Big Hurt-size Blue Jays jersey, it's time for Toronto to turn its attention back toward its pitching staff.

Cops: L.A. farmhand charged with crack  —  UNION CITY - A minor league baseball player who had been suspended for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs was in trouble again Thursday after Union City cops caught him with 130 bags of crack cocaine, reports said.

Grand timing  —  Thin list of free-agent pitchers makes Matsuzaka a good bet  —  You wonder if Godfrey would have been as upset if a team from any division except the American League East had wound up with the rights to Matsuzaka.  —  "They, obviously, have bottomless pits [of money] …