AP Sources: Cashman meets Boras, Sabathia next  —  NEW YORK — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met Thursday with agent Scott Boras and planned to get together this weekend with free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia ahead of the winter meetings.  —  Cashman's meeting with Boras and intention …

Wilson could restructure contract for Dodgers  —  Tigers also in mix, make fresh offer for Pirates' shortstop  —  The Detroit Tigers ramped up their pursuit of Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, but the Los Angeles Dodgers remain very much in the mix.  —  And the latter is the case, in large part, because of money matters.

A-Rod to play for the Dominican in WBC  —  Buzz up!  —  Alex Rodriguez, who nearly sat out the inaugural World Baseball Classic because he did not want to choose between playing for his native United States or the Dominican Republic, the country of his parents' birth, is changing uniforms for the 2009 Classic.

The Hall of Fame ballot...Ron Santo belongs and other matters.  —  The Hall of Fame ballot is supposed to be in the mail.  I haven't received it yet but should shortly.  Not sure on who I will vote for but no doubt others have their opinion.  —  Really, you don't know for sure until …

Braves appear to be front-runner for Burnett  —  The hot topic in baseball Thursday was which initial-laden free-agent starter will be the first to sign — A.J. Burnett or CC Sabathia?  —  For weeks now, I'd have guessed it would be Sabathia.  But not anymore.  I'm flip-flopping over to Burnett.

Brewers sign Julio  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has resurrected the careers of closers in the past, such as Derrick Turnbow, Dan Kolb and Francisco Cordero.  —  Perhaps he'll do it again with Jorge Julio.

Torre says Pettitte not going to Dodgers  —  Joe Torre has spoken with Andy Pettitte, the Dodgers' manager confirmed to Newsday, but doesn't foresee Pettitte heading West for a reunion with his former manager.  —  “I don't think that's going to happen,” Torre said Thursday, in a telephone interview.

Finances could limit Jays' options  —  Economy, Canadian dollar might make for quiet Winter Meetings … Club needs  —  STARTING PITCHING — The Blue Jays plan on trying to re-sign free agent A.J. Burnett, who also has suitors in the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Braves and Phillies.

Reds sign Lincoln to two-year deal  —  While the Rockies are moving methodically in their search for relievers, a few have come off the board over the last few days.  The Cincinnati Reds signed right-handed free agent Mike Lincoln to a two-year, $4-million deal accoding to contract information obtained by The Denver Post.

Minor League Transactions  —  This week's installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Nov. 21 and Dec. 1.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Signed: RHP Seth Etherton  —  Placed on restricted list: 2B Rafael Hilario

Baseball Prospectus: Joe Sheehan is Mets GM for a day … Here's the thing about the New York Mets: For all of the focus on their bullpen, which was definitely a reason for their late-season collapses in 2007 and 2008, that is both the most easily explained and the most reparable problem that they have.

Signing of Renteria a wise decision by Giants  —  The signing of Edgar Renteria makes the Giants more competitive in 2009 and probably 2010, but at no cost to the generally bright long-term picture in San Francisco.  He doesn't cost them a draft pick and won't be blocking any major prospects.

Tejada backup a goal for Meetings  —  Astros could use infield depth to support veteran shortstop  —  An overview of the Astros heading into next week's Winter Meetings, which open on Monday at the Bellagio in Las Vegas:  —  Club needs  —  Starting pitching: The Astros inked Mike Hampton to a low-based …

Rays expanding reach to Brazil  —  Partnership formed to build country's first MLB-run academy  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are spreading their wings to Brazil.  —  On Thursday, the Rays announced they have built a partnership with the city of Marilia, Brazil, that will include construction …