Rangers ready to wish upon a star  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Contrary to perception, most of this winter's free agents remain just that — free agents.  It only seems as if most of the top talent has already signed because five of the Rangers' nine free agents have departed.

Salary boom win-win for Rays … LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Devil Rays aren't planning to spend much money in the free-agent market, but the ridiculous dollars teams have thrown at players could have a significant impact on their plans.  —  With free agents getting multiyear deals for multimillions …

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.

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 …

Steve Henson answers readers' pressing questions  —  The winter meetings begin Monday in Orlando, Fla., and the Dodgers will be seeking a power-hitting outfielder, a starting pitcher and bullpen help.  Reporter Steve Henson takes readers' questions on the likelihood of Manny Ramirez coming to Los Angeles …

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.

O's pack some needs for winter meetings  —  Still missing big bat, 'we expect to be very busy,' Flanagan says  —  Even though they have directed one of the busiest teams in the league since the money-spending free-agent season began, the Orioles' top executives boarded a plane …

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.

Braves go to Plan B without Glavine  —  The old maestro is going to the winter meetings with his hands tied, although Braves general manager John Schuerholz might not agree with the analogy, at least not on the record.  —  The Braves hope to fill some needs during baseball's winter meeings …

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 …

Yanks wait for Pettitte return  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Brian Cashman checked into Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort last night with a checklist of his remaining offseason questions on his mind.  But there's one question he has no control over.  —  The Yankees will have a roster spot …

Whatever happened to Barry Bonds? … LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Greatest Slugger of His Time sits home in California, jobless and teamless.  —  In a very different world, he would be the hottest free agent of them all at one of baseball's strangest winter meetings of them all …

Williams must have something up his sleeve  —  'Dealer' Williams doesn't have anything up his sleeve?  That's difficult to believe  —  ORLANDO — For several winters, White Sox general manager Ken Williams has politely declined to be honored at the annual Santa Clara Valley Hot Stove Banquet in his hometown of San Jose, Calif.

Sox have agenda for meetings  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Theo Epstein played the role of shadow adviser for the Red Sox when baseball's winter meetings were held last December in Dallas.  That was during that murky period when the Sox were purportedly engaged in a search for his successor …

Hernandez, Fultz add experience to Indians bullpen  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians added some much needed experience and depth to their young bullpen Saturday, signing free agents Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz to one-year contracts.  —  The deals for Hernandez, a 42-year-old right-hander …