Yankees take Hughes step toward deal  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 34 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Twins are expected to speak again with the Red Sox today about trading ace lefthander Johan Santana, according to sources, but the Red Sox have been unwilling to include center …

Sources: Padres, Wolf have deal in place  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 23 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Padres, taking a chance on a pitcher coming off shoulder surgery, have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf on a one-year contract, according to major-league sources.

Pettitte, Gagne offered arbitration  —  NEW YORK (AP) — On a deadline day that has lost much of its importance, major league teams offered salary arbitration Saturday to 17 of their former players who became free agents, a group that included outfielder Aaron Rowand and pitcher Livan Hernandez.

Notes: Cuba's Ramirez draws attention  —  Lara progressing; No arbitration for Lofton, Nixon or Gomez  —  CLEVELAND — The stateside free-agent market has withering value for a club that can ill-afford to engage in spending wars.  So the Indians have made efforts in recent years to find talent through other avenues.

Trade of Cabrera might be more 'when' than 'if'  —  Ask Marlins officials about the future of third baseman Miguel Cabrera and the answer is a swift and curt "no comment.''  —  But the team's marketing campaign already is sending a strong signal to fans that the four-time All Star won't be around next season.

Braves offer salary arbitration to lefty Mahay  —  Decline offer to center fielder Jones  —  Those fans holding out hope of the Braves retaining Andruw Jones got a reality check Friday, when the team declined to offer arbitration to the free-agent center fielder.

Pirates look to move Nady, one way or another  —  If trade fails, team could decline to offer contract  —  The Pirates are prepared to trade outfielder Xavier Nady.  —  And, if they cannot do so within the next few days, according to one official with direct knowledge of their plans …

Mets ready for historic Spring Training  —  Club to celebrate 20th anniversary vs. Dodgers in Port St. Lucie  —  NEW YORK — Twenty years after they played each other in the inaugural game in Port St. Lucie, the Mets and Dodgers will stage a reprise.  They are set to play on March 5 …

Opinion: So Long, Lastings Milledge  —  ...i believe the Mets will eventually regret trading Lastings Milledge, because, while he has his flaws, i feel he can be the type of exciting, better-than-average player a team in new york will wish it had...frankly, i suspect the Mets know they'll regret it …

Rolen rumors won't go away  —  The rumors that the Brewers will acquire St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen continue to spread but general manager Doug Melvin told me today he has nothing imminent with the Cardinals.  —  In fact, Melvin said he hadn't talked to the Cards for a couple of weeks.

AFL names Top Prospects Team  —  Voters asked to consider performance, projectability  —  Phoenix, Arizona — The Arizona Fall League announces its 2007 Top Prospects Team.  Selected by Fall League managers, coaches, and administrators, the Top Prospects Team identifies the players …

Rays Sign Percival To Be Team's Closer  —  ST. PETERSBURG - From the first day of spring training next February, there will be no mixing and matching or closer-by-committee in the Rays' bullpen.  —  According to Manager Joe Maddon, the ninth-inning job belongs solely to new addition Troy Percival.

It's a deal ... or is it?  —  Folks roll in to Nashville's Opryland resort by the bus loads to see the country Christmas displays, but baseball's general managers could put on a pretty good show of their own this week at the annual winter meetings.  Faced with an overpriced …