Winter Meetings Preview, Part Two  —  And now, the second half of the winter meetings preview, featuring those teams unfortunate enough to play in cities whose names don't start with the letters A through L...  Milwaukee Brewers: The Doug Davis deal—I'm not a fan; I think they gave up 40% …

Analysis: Pirates have no cause to fear free agency  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  It is not true that team executives will drive a convoy of loaded Brink's trucks into Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for Major League Baseball's annual winter meetings that open tomorrow.

BOYS OF WINTER  —  YANKS PATIENTLY SEEK ORLANDO MAGIC  —  When George Steinbrenner handed the Yankees to Brian Cashman following the 2005 season, one of the most impatient people in the world was turning to a man who has become one of the most patient in baseball.

Epstein set to shop at winter meetings  —  Finding a new home for Manny Ramirez, landing a shortstop, a closer and a backup catcher highlight the Red Sox general manager's agenda.  —  BOSTON — Starting tomorrow, baseball's annual winter meetings convene in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for four days.

Brewers hunt for bargains  —  As meetings near, Melvin studies outfield situation  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has made significant trades at each of the past two major-league winter meetings, but he's not sure how easy it will be to keep that streak alive.

Reds GM: Team got damaged goods from Nats  —  The Reds think they got damaged goods when they acquired reliever Gary Majewski from the Nationals last season.  And now they are prepared to take their case to Major League Baseball.  —  "We don't feel like we were dealt with fairly …

GMs gone wild  —  Hot stove season filled with errors, with Boston miscues at top of list  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - You think this has been a crazy baseball winter?  You think the Chicago Tribune investing more than $200 million in Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez when it is supposedly trying to sell the Cubs was nuts?

Interest in Bonds seems questionable  —  If there's genuine interest in Barry Bonds outside the Giants' executive offices — and it's clear Bonds isn't the unanimous choice to play left field — it's a highly guarded secret.  —  Teams are saying "no" at a rapid rate, and perhaps it's …

A zest for Zito  —  Mets target lefty but seem unwilling to make wild pitch  —  Tom Glavine's return reduces Omar Minaya's urgency to find a starting pitcher at this week's winter meetings.  But make no mistake: The Mets GM, like many of his counterparts throughout baseball …

The bandwagon has open seats  —  It began with a simple talk with a friend of mine.  Truth is, I was jealous.  He grew up in Detroit before moving to Georgia, so he was now following two teams while I was stuck with just one, my stumbling Atlanta Braves.  —  The more I thought …

Millar signs on for second season with Orioles … BALTIMORE — First baseman Kevin Millar re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, agreeing to a one-year $2.75 million contract with an option for 2008.  —  The 35-year-old Millar hit .272 with 15 home runs and 64 RBI in 132 games in his first season with the Orioles.

Braves sign RHP Tanyon Sturtze  —  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves signed right-hander Tanyon Sturtze to a one-year contract Sunday on the eve of the winter meetings, hoping he will be able to come back from rotator cuff surgery.  —  Sturtze is guaranteed $750,000 and would make another $350,000 …

Ante set high for Rangers  —  Pitching help won't come cheap for Daniels at winter meetings  —  Major League Baseball begins a four-day invasion of Walt Disney World today, where the theme music has been tweaked just a bit: … It's especially true when the subject is pitching.

Cancer battle a journey for Bell  —  The Sonoran desert blew sand sideways across the lawn, the grit fixing itself everywhere.  In the distance, a ring of red mountains rose above barren land.  —  The front door stood open, allowing a cool breeze to find its way into Buddy Bell's home …