Free-agent shuffle might not draw ace  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Truth be told, the Milwaukee Brewers aren't sure if they have even a faint chance of re-signing free agent left-hander CC Sabathia.  —  But they'd like to know, one way or the other.

A-Rod to play for Dominicans in 2009 WBC  —  Buzz up!  —  PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (AP)—Alex Rodriguez is switching sides.  —  The New York Yankees star will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, he said Saturday.  —  Rodriguez made the announcement …

Twins break off talks with Casey Blake  —  The Twins on Friday ended their pursuit of Casey Blake after the sides couldn't work out a deal for the free agent third baseman, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.  —  Unless there's another team involved, it looks like the Dodgers are in the lead for Blake.

Smoltz ‘way ahead of schedule’  —  Braves free agent pitcher rehabbing from shoulder surgery  —  The Braves say they can't yet count on John Smoltz to make it back from shoulder surgery and pitch in 2009, but manager Bobby Cox had his own opinion after watching him throw Friday.

How are the baby Yanks looking?  —  Hughes, Jackson battle game of expectations  —  Let's talk to a National League scout who covers the American League and Baseball America's John Manuel to get an update on how Yankees prospects are progressing in fall and winter leagues.

Lots of guessing surrounds Cubs at winter meetings  —  Ace Peavy, leadoff man also could be on radar  —  The only clue Jim Hendry has revealed about his Las Vegas game plan is the well-known fact that the Cubs are searching for a left-handed hitter, preferably for right field.

Tampa Bay Rays: The story so far heading into baseball's winter meetings  —  Besides Joe Maddon's AL manager of the year, Evan Longoria's AL rookie of the year and Andrew Friedman's executive of the year awards, the Rays' offseason has been extraordinarily quiet so far.

Ranking Top Closers in Baseball Is Not Always Open and Shut  —  After smashing the single-season saves record with 62, Francisco Rodríguez seemed well positioned for a plum free-agent payday.  But the market for his services has been soft.  After initially suggesting a five-year …

Santana Is on the Road to Recovery  —  Johan Santana sat in an interview room at Shea Stadium on Sept. 27, the penultimate day of the season, with his left knee packed in ice.  No one else there that afternoon knew — or had reason to believe — that Santana had just pitched a three-hit shutout …

Free agent Furcal declines A's multiyear offer … Talks between Oakland and shortstop Rafael Furcal broke down Friday after Furcal's side rejected a multiyear offer that was essentially take-it-or-leave-it from the Athletics.  —  “They needed some freedom to make the moves they needed to …