Renteria's rep negotiating with Giants  —  Shortstop likely won't sign until fellow free agent Furcal does  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The plot thickened slightly Friday in the Giants' search for a free-agent infielder, as Jeff Lane, the representative for shortstop Edgar Renteria …

METS' CASTILLO DRIVEN TO SECURE 2ND CHANCE  —  This is a story about second base and, Luis Castillo hopes, second chances.  —  To their fans' anguish, Mets officials have persistently said they plan on having Castillo as their second baseman in 2009.  In part that is because the Mets …

Heilman again makes pitch to start for Mets  —  Concerned about his role for next season, Aaron Heilman called general manager Omar Minaya yesterday to talk about possibly moving back into the rotation for the start of spring training.  But Minaya stayed firm in his position that Heilman again …

Van Benschoten parts ways with Bucs  —  Former first-round pick decides to pursue roster spot elsewhere  —  PITTSBURGH — After many attempts to stick with the Pirates' Major League club, John Van Benschoten has decided to make his next attempt at the big leagues elsewhere.

METS TAKING TIME IN HUNT FOR CLOSER  —  THE Mets have made it well known they are unwilling to meet Francisco Rodriguez's quest for a five-year contract at record dollars for a closer.  But, according to Mets officials, they currently are averse to going to even a fourth year for K-Rod or any closer.

Cuba throws 2 baseball stars off top team  —  HAVANA—Ace pitcher Yadel Marti and star outfielder Yasser Gomez have been thrown off Cuba's top league team for “a grave act of indiscipline,” likely ending their hopes of playing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Bye, George!  New Yankee Boss is son Hal  —  Hal Steinbrenner officially became “The New Boss” Thursday and his first act sounded an awful lot like the original Boss, his father: He set an unspecified deadline for free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia to take the Yankees' $140 million offer.

D-Backs make offer to R. Vazquez  —  Looking to fill a hole at second base, the Diamondbacks have made a contract offer to free-agent infielder Ramon Vazquez.  —  Details of the offer are unknown.  —  “We're talking,” said Vazquez's agent, Melvin Roman, declining further comment.

AFL Dish: Aptly-Named Prospect Finishes Strong  —  Prospect Of The Day  —  Peoria Javelinas shortstop Brent Brewer (Brewers) didn't have a particularly good regular season.  Drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft out of a Georgia high school, Brewer spent 2008 split between low Class …

Mets open to dealing catchers  —  There are indications the Mets might consider overhauling their catching situation.  While the Mets haven't spoken publicly about any dissatisfaction with their tandem of Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro, some competing executives say the Mets …

What Do We Know About the Impending Viciedo Signing?  —  Dayan Viciedo was supposed to be introduced as the newest member of the White Sox in a press conference on Friday, but apparently visa issues—there's always visa issues—may have derailed the event, though not the signing itself.

Mussina announces his retirement  —  Right-hander won 270 games, including 20 for first time in 2008  —  NEW YORK — Having attempted to keep a secret close to the vest for an entire year, Mike Mussina opened the first afternoon of his post-baseball life by unburdening himself of a confession.