Cubs ink Lilly to four-year deal  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - The Cubs continued their off-season spending spree Wednesday, reaching preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly on a four-year, $40 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Lilly, who turns 31 on Jan. 4, becomes the Cubs' first major pitching acquisition.

Braves' top-heavy payroll presents problems  —  You want to know why the Braves must trade Marcus Giles and/or Adam LaRoche in order to improve their pitching staff and stay within budget?  I'll tell you.  Rather, I'll show you.  —  Because seven guys are eating up 80 percent or slightly more of the $80 million payroll.

Phils make a deal for Freddy Garcia  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Phillies pulled off a trade for a starting pitcher at baseball's winter meetings tonight, acquiring Freddy Garcia from the Chicago White Sox for pitchers Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez.  —  Garcia, 30, is 116-71 in an eight …

Dodgers reach agreement with Schmidt  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - The Dodgers have landed the biggest free-agent pitching prize to date, reaching a preliminary agreement on a three-year, $47 million contract with right-hander Jason Schmidt, FOXSports.com has learned.

Rangers expected to be finalist for Zito  —  Team has made strong pitch for free-agent left-hander  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Agent Scott Boras said he is in the process of paring down the number of teams that Barry Zito will consider.  —  All indications are the Rangers will be there right until the end.

As Nats Plan for Future, Acta Embraces Present  —  Manny Acta is all too aware that even the people who run the Washington Nationals are bracing for the looming storm that could be the 2007 season, one in which the club is brazenly frank about how bad it might be.

A's appear on verge of signing Piazza  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The Rangers are out of the bidding for Mike Piazza, the strongest indication yet that the A's are on the verge of signing the free-agent catcher, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Piazza, 38, would be the A's full-time designated hitter …

Will Bonds leave Giants?  It's a mystery … LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The mystery guest of the winter meetings headed off to meet his mystery suitor Wednesday.  And for winter-meetings melodrama, you can't beat a cameo appearance by Barry Bonds himself.  —  But even though Bonds' agent …

Dec. 06: Meeting with Minaya  —  We just finished are daily session with Omar Minaya, who said it wasn't likely (but not impossible) another deal would get done tonight.  He left us for dinner and meetings, one with Oakland, where of course, what we've been talking about all day will be discussed.

Brewers rumors carry little substance  —  Hottest discussion involves status of club's Rule 5 Draft pick  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — No face-to-face meetings and only four phone calls, all to investigate rumors that proved to be nothing.  It was another very quiet day for the Brewers' contingent at the baseball Winter Meetings.

Helton deal appears unlikely for Angels  —  Trade with Rockies nearly happened, but L.A. had concerns about first baseman's age, health  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — The Angels nearly made what General Manager Bill Stoneman called the "big splash," a deal that would have fulfilled owner …

Indians add closer Borowski, outfielder Dellucci  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Indians love Joe Borowski — for one year.  —  After the Philadelphia Phillies backed away from a two-year contract because of concerns over his pitching shoulder, Cleveland finalized a $4.25 million …

O's widen search for left fielder … LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. // With the Orioles growing increasingly pessimistic about their chances of signing free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez, they have turned to other options, including the Detroit Tigers' Marcus Thames and free agent Jay Payton.