Mets nearing deal for Twins 2B Castillo  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 16 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Mets are close to acquiring second baseman Luis Castillo from the Twins for two minor leaguers, according to major-league sources.  —  Castillo would replace Jose Valentin …

Braves set to acquire Teixeira from Rangers  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 31 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Braves are on the verge of acquiring Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira.  —  The deal is done, pending a review of the medical records of the players involved, according to major-league sources.

Red Sox hoping to land Gagne  —  NEW YORK - Mid-afternoon Monday, in the wake of the Mark Teixeira trade to the Atlanta Braves, the emphasis had turned to the bullpens, where the Boston Red Sox hoped to convince Eric Gagne to set up for Jonathan Papelbon, the Los Angeles Dodgers had resigned themselves …

M's beat Angels, gain ground in AL West  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki has been waiting years for a series this big in Seattle.  It took him just three innings to have an impact.  —  Suzuki had three hits, Miguel Batista allowed four singles in seven innings and the Mariners beat …

Reds deal Lohse to Phils for prospect  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 20 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Phillies, seeking to upgrade their rotation, have acquired Reds right-hander Kyle Lohse for Class AA left-hander Matt Maloney, according to a major-league source.

Rumors keep flying, but Dye still on club  —  The White Sox chartered to New York on Monday evening with the team still intact, although that didn't stop rumors from flying before the Tuesday's 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.  —  "Lots of back and forth [with other general managers] …

Sources: Dodgers eye A's Blanton but price steep … The Oakland Athletics engaged in serious negotiations with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday about pitcher Joe Blanton, a 26-year-old right-hander who would help fill in the injury-ravaged L.A. rotation if the deal is completed.

O's unlikely to deal at deadline  —  Orioles roster will probably remain intact after 4 p.m. Tuesday  —  Barring an unexpected development, tomorrow's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline will come and go with the Orioles having made no moves that will dramatically alter their roster.

O'Dowd plays deal or no deal  —  General manager passes on trades that 'don't fit'  —  Dealin' Dan O'Dowd has gotten dull — by design.  —  "The biggest thing I've learned is that things that are supposed to happen are going to happen and you can't force them," said O'Dowd, the Rockies general manager.

On the fence  —  PITTSBURGH — Apparently no longer motivated "sellers," the Cardinals also might prove not to be "buyers" before the non-waiver trade deadline arrives at 3 p.m. today.  They may be "waiters."  —  Blame or thank the bullpen.  —  The Cardinals, who were prepared …

Ailing Beltran will skip road trip  —  The Mets left New York Monday without the injured Carlos Beltran, and it could be some time before their $119-million centerfielder returns to the lineup.  —  General manager Omar Minaya said Monday the club "most likely" will put Beltran on the 15 …

Allison will be extradited to N.C.  —  Troubled pitcher Jeff Allison is being held in Palm Beach County Jail until North Carolina officials pick him up to face drug and larceny charges.  —  Allison, 22, a first-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 2003, was arrested Oct. 25 in Greensboro, N.C., and released on $2,500 bond.

Twenty-two hours to go  —  Just flew in from Albany (and boy are my arms tired ha ha ha) and putting out phone calls.  I have heard of continued interest in Adam Dunn, but as we have discussed ad nauseum, the difference between interest and a deal getting done is simply huge.