Buzz: Mets, Front-Runners for Santana?  —  In yesterday's Daily News, citing a baseball official, Anthony McCaron wrote that the Mets are pursuing a trade for LHP Johan Santana.  —  According to the official, “Maybe this week something will heat up.  Nothing's going on right now.”

Podres dead at 75  —  Johnny Podres, the cool and clutch lefty who pitched the Dodgers to their one and only world championship in Brooklyn by shutting out the Yankees, 2-0, in the seventh game of the 1955 World Series, died Sunday night in a hospital in Glens Falls, N.Y. He was 75.

Brewers finalize deal with Cameron  —  Center fielder passes physical to trigger one-year contract  —  MILWAUKEE — Free agent center fielder Mike Cameron passed a physical on Monday and finalized a one-year contract that, barring injuries in Spring Training, set in place the Brewers' starting offense and defense for 2008.

Mailbag: Who is Opening Day starter?  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … Who do you think will be the Nationals' Opening Day starter at the new Nationals Park?  —  That's a good question.  I would have to say that Shawn Hill will get the nod because he was the team's best starter last year.

Chicago White Sox  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Option for '09 is key to trade  —  When the blockbuster exchange of former All-Star third basemen hatched, the Cardinals told Toronto that a vital part of dealing Scott Rolen was the assurance Troy Glaus would exercise his option for the 2009 season.  —  The other linchpin of the deal is expected today.

Mailbag: Will rotation receive any help?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  I was looking over the list of available free agents, and while there are no Johan Santanas or Josh Becketts out there, I saw some good bargains that conceivably could be signed …

A PITCHf/x primer  —  Many of you are hopefully familiar with the PITCHf/x system and at least some of the data and analysis that have been produced on the subject over the past year, but it may be completely new to some of you.  In either case, I thought it would be helpful to provide …

Cubans see documentary of El Duque  —  HAVANA (AP) — Cubans got their first glimpse of Orlando Hernandez on state television since he fled to the United States in 1997.  —  Authorities aired a documentary Saturday in which the New York Mets pitcher vowed he was no traitor.

Reds insider  —  Jocketty's eye for arms will be crucial  —  digg us!  del.icio.us!  —  The first advice the Reds would like newly hired special adviser Walt Jocketty to give them is this:  —  Where can we find our Chris Carpenter?  —  Jocketty signed Carpenter in 2002 after he went 4-5 with a 5.28 ERA for Toronto.

TIGERS CORNER: GM Dombrowski suggests Brandon Inge should catch  —  Player's future with club creates buzz at team event  —  Brandon Inge did not attend TigerFest on Saturday, but he nonetheless remained a popular topic of conversation at Comerica Park.  —  Tigers president/general manager …

No Laughing Matter  —  ST. PETERSBURG - This column should come with a warning.  It is about Rays baseball and it does not focus on how good things are going to be three or four years from now.  We won't speculate about how bad things are going to be this season, which has been an annual rite of spring for more than a decade.

Braves receptive to Kotsay deal  —  Veteran core thinks center fielder will fit in well in Atlanta  —  ATLANTA — There was plenty to celebrate this past weekend as the Braves hosted their most successful FanFest ever.  The organization's celebratory mood will increase on Monday …

Baseball fan sues team over drugs  —  A long-time baseball fan is suing the New York Yankees over some players' reported use of performance-enhancing drugs, saying he wants repayment for 221 US dollars (£112) in tickets and a public response from his once-beloved team.