Boras is gatekeeper, again  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Scott Boras ended Monday at baseball's winter meetings well into Tuesday morning, taking a telephone call from "a client on the West Coast" three hours after midnight, returning various phone calls after that, sounding surprisingly energetic, all things considered.

Yankees close to Pettitte deal  —  Veteran lefty may delay retirement; news and notes  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Yankees' search for a starting pitcher that will keep them from having to bank on a healthy Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson is narrowing.  As Vicente Padilla came off …

Maddux goes to Padres  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The San Diego Padres and Greg Maddux have agreed in principle to a one-year contract, according to sources, with a second-year player option.  —  Maddux, the 333-game winner, will be 41 in April.  He joins Jake Peavy, Chris Young …

Lester said to be making progress  —  No confirmation from father, team  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A source with direct knowledge of Jon Lester's medical condition said yesterday that Lester's latest CT scan was clean and his cancer seems to be in remission, so the 22-year-old lefthander expects …

Will's Mill  —  More From Orlando  —  The Manny Ramirez sweepstakes are heating up, with the talk now shifting from the Dodgers (whose offer of LaRoche and Broxton fell short) to the Angels, who are reluctant to offer Scot Shields plus one of their top prospects.

Mets, Zito talking  —  Greet Boras to start chase  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Mets brass met with agent Scott Boras last night, beginning its pursuit of Barry Zito as speculation swirled that the Rangers were mounting a huge offer.  —  Chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon even arrived …

AL Buzz: Rowand return to White Sox still possible  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - When asked about the chances of reacquiring center fielder Aaron Rowand in a trade from the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams hardly sounded optimistic.

Jennings, Hawpe may be moved  —  The opening-day starter and right fielder could be packaged in a deal with the Cubs and Pirates.  —  Orlando, Fla. - Casual interest in Jason Jennings has graduated to concrete proposals with the Rockies considering a three-way trade with the Cubs …

Brewers' Mench drawing some surprising interest on trade market  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - Milwaukee Brewers fans who watched outfielder Kevin Mench play over the final two months of the 2006 season might be astonished that teams actually want to trade for him.

Willie unplugged  —  Willie Randolph spoke to reporters here at the winter meetings this afternoon on a variety of topics, everything from the Mets' moves so far to the maturation of Lastings Milledge.  —  He also expressed his frustration over finishing second to Joe Girardi in the NL Manager of the Year balloting.

Blue Jays want to keep Lilly, make late-night offer  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The market for free-agent pitcher Ted Lilly officially increased late Monday night when the Toronto Blue Jays presented him with a formal offer.  —  The offer, terms of which weren't divulged, was something the Blue Jays intended to do with the left-hander.

Departing Reds staffer takes shots at Krivsky  —  Longtime scout Barton says Cincy GM wasn't listening to his advice.  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When Wayne Krivsky became general manager of the Cincinnati Reds in February, one of the main reasons was the support he received from two members …

Cards plan to stretch out several relievers in spring  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Tony La Russa was expected to give Adam Wainwright a look for his 2007 rotation.  Braden Looper might be coming along for the ride.  —  La Russa disclosed Tuesday that his World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals …