Padres won't trade Peavy in possible Manny deal  —  The Padres will not include right-hander Jake Peavy in a trade for Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.  —  In fact, the source says, talks between the teams have cooled in recent days …

Giants agree to terms with second baseman Durham  —  The San Francisco Giants and Ray Durham agreed to a two-year contract Friday that will pay the second baseman between $14 million and $15 million.  —  The 35-year-old Durham, a switch-hitter and two-time All-Star, is coming off his best season in years.

Merely Talking to Japan's Best Is Big Business  —  Mediocre athletes rarely leave a legacy, but Hideki Irabu, the Japanese right-hander, did.  And it was for more than being called a fat toad by George Steinbrenner when Irabu misplayed a ground ball in spring training in 1999 …

Sox ink Podsednik to one-year deal  —  Speedy outfielder avoids arbitration by signing for $2.9 million  —  CHICAGO — The White Sox search for an upgrade at the leadoff slot in their potent lineup appears to have been solved by a familiar face from within their own organization.

Mariners looking into Thomson  —  Seattle requests medical files on free-agent right-hander  —  SEATTLE — In their pursuit to add starting pitching, the Mariners are believed to be targeting former Braves right-hander John Thomson.  —  Sources have confirmed that the Mariners have had contact …

Hicks hopes Zito, Rangers are a fit  —  Rangers owner Tom Hicks was impressed by Barry Zito, who visited Arlington on Thursday, and hopes the free agent left-hander will want to come back and put on a Rangers uniform in 2007.  —  "He's certainly the kind of guy we'd like to have in our organization," Hicks said.

Competition for Lilly heating up  —  Lefty has received offer from Cubs; Jays still in the mix  —  TORONTO — The race for Ted Lilly's services is heating up.  According to Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, the Chicago Cubs have put a four-year deal on the table in an attempt to lure the free-agent starter to the National League.

Winter Meetings storylines  —  Manny widens his wish list; Bonds, Zito and more  —  Also in this column:  —  This baseball offseason was supposed to be a dud.  But we already have two $100 million contracts.  And heading into the annual Winter Meetings next week at Disney World …

Big Mac won't get a taste of Hall of Fame  —  Mark McGwire has as much chance of making the Baseball Hall of Fame as I do of making the Hip Hop Hall of Fame.  —  Hmmmm ... DJ Jazzy Rick?  Nah.  I can't rap, let alone rhyme, busta.  And McGwire can't dance around the fact he refused …

The Autograph Man  —  A BASEBALL PLAYER ANSWERS HIS FAN MAIL 15 YEARS LATER.  —  Some tips on writing a letter to a major-league baseball player:  —  Begin with the formal address: It's "Dear Mr. Wilson," not "Dear Mookie."  The first sentence should read: "My name is Bryan Curtis …