Rangers setting sights on Zito  —  Quick hits from the winter meetings:  — The Rangers are making a major push for free-agent left-hander Barry Zito, major league sources say, and continue to negotiate with free-agent right-hander Vicente Padilla.  —  Zito, 28, could end up with a six-year …

Mariners sign outfielder Jose Guillen  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The Seattle Mariners will be the third American League West team to employ Jose Guillen.  —  He'd like this time around to last longer than the first two.  —  Guillen was introduced to the media Monday afternoon …

Rockies think their strength is within  —  Division rivals keep busy in offseason  —  While the rest of the National League West has been creating an offseason stir, the Rockies, so far, have been willing to settle for such subtle moves as re-signing second baseman Kaz Matsui …

Avoiding Costly Moves  —  Rebuilding Nats Expect to Limit Spending for 2007 Roster  —  Two years ago, the Washington Nationals — shackled with a minuscule budget issued by their owners, Major League Baseball — signed Esteban Loaiza, a beleaguered right-hander, to a one-year, $2.9-million contract.

Pirates cast wide net for lefty bat  —  Youngster with power is top priority as winter meetings open  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — He is the Pirates' perceived missing piece in the lineup.  —  He is young, large, left-handed and strong enough …

Towers' $25 million chump change now  —  Clearly, as it's turning out, the insanity wasn't just temporary.  —  With its nonlinear dimensions and unwritten rules, baseball has always been a game for the daft, the oddball, the lefty.  Indeed, its quirks were celebrated, revered.

Isringhausen is ahead of schedule  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Less than three months after undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery, closer Jason Isringhausen insists the Cardinals should plan on him being available to pitch the ninth inning on opening day.  —  "I'm tired of other people doing my job," Isringhausen said this weekend.

'Do The Wright Thing' gala a big success  —  Benefit raises funds and awareness for children's causes  —  NEW YORK — Snoballs.  —  Ring Dings.  —  Yodels.  —  Twinkies.  —  The dessert tray inside the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on Saturday night spoke volumes about David Wright's flair when it comes to special events.

Will's Mill  —  Enjoy the Silence  —  The Winter Meetings opened with ... a resounding silence.  As the baseball world descended on Orlando, the action was limited to dinner.  Jenn Sterger and I dined near Theo Epstein, but I seemed no closer to signing Daisuke Matsuzaka than he did.

Scout.com Roundtable: Rule V Draft Preview  —  The MLB Rule V Draft concludes the Winter Meetings and is, sometimes, the highlight of a team's off-season.  While we hope it does not come to that for your team, Scout.com has convened the roundtable to discuss 36 prospects that are eligible …

Los Angeles Angels  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Harry Kalas signs three-year contract, Gary Matthews to join Phillies broadcasting team  —  Like the Energizer Bunny, Harry Kalas keeps on going and going.  The 70-year-old broadcaster has signed a new three-year contract to remain in the Phillies broadcasting booth.

Giants sign IF Aurilia to two-year deal  —  ORLANDO, FLORIDA (TICKER) — After a three-year hiatus, Rich Aurilia is back in the bay area.  —  The San Francisco Giants on Monday announced the signing of Aurilia, who played with the team from 1995-2003, to a two-year contract.  —  Financial terms were not disclosed.