Rangers won't go too high on Zito  —  GM Daniels spending cautiously; team eyes several options  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Rangers are talking to Scott Boras about free-agent pitcher Barry Zito.  —  One side doesn't want to talk about $100 million.  The other side probably wants to talk about that and much more.

Red Sox agree to 4-year, $36M deal with Lugo  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday with shortstop Julio Lugo that would pay him $36 million over the next four years.  —  Details of the agreement were provided to The Associated Press …

Source: Mets to get Burgos from Royals for Bannister  —  The New York Mets have agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Royals that will send right-handed starter Brian Bannister to Kansas City for right-handed reliever Ambiorix Burgos, ESPN's Steve Phillips reports.

Jacque: Exit, stage right  —  Much-maligned Jones may get wish—trade; Cubs leaders for Lilly  —  ORLANDO — Jacque Jones never could understand why Cubs fans refused to give him the benefit of the doubt after his slow start in April.  By September, he had let it be known he wouldn't mind a new address in 2007.

Notes: Bucs in no hurry to make moves  —  Pirates' surplus of young pitching has teams interested  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In a market where productive pitchers with relatively little big-league service seem to be coveted as much as established starting starters and middle-of-the-lineup boppers …

Center field will be an inside job  —  Rockies unwilling to test market further to fill void in outfield  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Rockies have taken their search for help in center field internal.  —  "We've seen what has become (of) the center field market and we are not going to play …

Sox's talks center on Rays' Baldelli  —  Outfielder could fill leadoff role; Rowand may return  —  A frozen trade climate began to thaw Tuesday at the winter meetings.  —  "There were a few things that piqued our interest," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said.

Angelos' baseball instincts once again are off base  —  Sometimes, the Orioles just crack me up.  Peter Angelos is believed to have quashed a proposed trade that would have sent Brian Roberts and Hayden Penn to the Atlanta Braves for young slugger Adam LaRoche and infielder Marcus Giles …

Maddux agrees to 1-year, $10M deal with Padres  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Greg Maddux and the San Diego Padres reached agreement Tuesday night on a $10 million, one-year contract.  —  The deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner contains a $6 million player option for 2008.

Lester has healthy shot at a return  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It was a simple game of catch.  It was an affirmation of life, and healing.  —  When Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training in February, a little over a month past his 23d birthday, Jon Lester expects to be among them.