Derek Lowe eyes dollars, so Mets might try cheaper options  —  Derek Lowe is a hotter commodity in the free-agent market than the Mets envisioned, a development that is forcing them to rethink their plan of signing the 35-year-old righthander and plugging him into Oliver Perez's spot in the starting rotation.

Angels likely not on Teixeira's wish list  —  The free-agent first baseman seems to be leaning toward an East Coast team.  —  Recommend  —  Spraying to all fields, wondering what Angels fans want for Christmas:  —  Well, we found out this week what Angels free agent Mark Teixeira wants — a home for the holidays.

On the Coast, it's very clear  —  Dodgers, Angels need to keep their sluggers  —  The Los Angeles teams can't afford to lose the best hitters on the free agent market: Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramírez.  And deep down, they know it.  —  Question is, can either afford to keep them?

YANKS & METS FACE COMPETITION FOR FREE-AGENT ARMS THEY CRAVE  —  The Yanks also have indicated they will put a time limit on their six-year, $140 million offer for Sabathia.  But that is a worthless time limit.  They said last year they would not re-sign Alex Rodriguez if he opted out …

Mets reportedly considering adding closer Hoffman  —  MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE  —  This winter's market for closers has created a sort of perfect storm for the New York Mets — in desperate need of a closer and presented with a surplus of candidates and not enough big-market teams to pay them all.

Gary Carter deserves a chance to coach in the big leagues  —  Maybe, just maybe, there's some truth to Gary Carter's suspicions that he has been blackballed in baseball.  —  How else do you explain his conspicuous absence from a game in which he has enjoyed so much success?

Dodgers' Billingsley has surgery after fall at home  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley had surgery on Saturday after fracturing his leg in a fall at his Pennsylvania home.  —  Team spokesman Josh Rawitch said that the 24-year-old Billingsley slipped on ice outside his house in Reading …

Madden: Hal takes reins, but News had it last year  —  Quite a historic week in baseball - George Steinbrenner officially cedes control of the Yankees to his younger son, Hal, Mike Mussina becomes the first pitcher since Sandy Koufax in 1966 to retire off a 20-win season and Dustin Pedroia becomes …

Patience becoming a virtue for Bourn  —  Center fielder off to a hot start at the plate in Dominican  —  It took until November, but center fielder Michael Bourn is finally producing at the plate in 2008.  —  Playing winter ball for the first time, the speedy leadoff man has addressed three key areas …