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 …

Carpenter and Cardinals agree to new five-year contract  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty looked at the price of pitching on the free-agent market and decided to throw his money at a guy he already had.  —  The Cardinals announced a five …

Trading Sexson may be an option for Mariners  —  Ibanez might play first base if deal's made  —  ORLANDO — The Mariners are all but locked into Jose Guillen to play right field, and during the winter meetings that start this morning, the club's brass will talk to Luis Gonzalez about playing left field.

Giants still interested in slugger Bonds  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The San Francisco Giants are seriously interested in bringing back Barry Bonds, despite the notion the club might prefer to part ways with the aging slugger.

Padilla, Rangers reach agreement on $34M contract … LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Free agent right-hander Vicente Padilla has reached a preliminary agreement on a $34 million, three-year contract with the Texas Rangers, a baseball source said Monday night.  —  The deal is contingent upon Padilla passing …

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 …

Padres nearing agreement with Maddux  —  The Padres are closing in on a major off-season coup, nearing an agreement with free-agent right-hander Greg Maddux, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  The deal, which would be a significant blow to the Dodgers, the Padres' NL West rival …

Winter Meetings Whispers: Day 1  —  Red Sox slugger Ramirez in high demand this offseason  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Winter Meetings are under way, which means it's time for the annual game of "Where's Manny Going?"  —  Manny Ramirez, the gifted and extremely well-paid outfielder …

Kalas to stay; Matthews to join crew  —  Andersen, Wheeler and Scott Franzke will also return  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — For those who grew up listening to the baritone stylings of Harry Kalas, this will come as welcome news.  —  The Hall of Fame broadcaster will return for at least three more seasons …

First Civil Rights Game set for March 31  —  Cardinals to play Indians in Memphis as part of celebration  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Major League Baseball will stage its inaugural "Civil Rights Game" this coming March 31, when the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals play …

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 …

Minaya narrows focus to pitching  —  Adding arms is GM's objective as Winter Meetings begin  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Mets general manager Omar Minaya set up shop at the Winter Meetings on Monday, putting together what he called a "wish list" of talent and looking to add arms.