Mariners and Raul Ibanez part ways again  —  Raul Ibanez will decline binding salary arbitration today and, for the second time in his career, leave the Seattle Mariners.  —  The first time was even less appetizing - the Mariners simply let Ibanez go after the 2000 season, and Kansas City signed him as a free agent.

Rangers Cutting Payroll?  —  By Nat Boyle [December 7 at 12:10pm CST]  —  While not making any drastic reductions, the Rangers may be shedding payroll says Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.  This could make available Gerald Laird, Hank Blalock, Kevin Millwood, and Vincente Padilla.

UZR on FanGraphs  —  I'm pleased to announce that UZR (ultimate zone ratings) stats are now available on FanGraphs!  —  This would of course not be possible without MGL (Mitchel Lichtman), and I'm extremely grateful that he allowed us to use his fielding model.

A-Rod commits to Dominican team  —  Yankees slugger played for U.S. squad in 2006 Classic  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez is ready to see the World Baseball Classic from another viewpoint, as the three-time MVP said Saturday that he will switch uniforms and represent the Dominican Republic.

Twins seek third baseman or shortstop before pickings get slim  —  Twins General Manager Bill Smith headed to Las Vegas on Saturday to attend a pre-winter meetings meeting.  Good thing he's already on the scene, because the Twins' offseason has just become more challenging.

Brewers may up ante for CC  —  LAS VEGAS — The Brewers apparently mean business.  —  Free-agent ace CC Sabathia has told friends he is expecting the Brewers to upgrade their five-year, $100 million offer in coming days.  Milwaukee is apparently refusing to back down from a fight …

WINTER MEETINGS: Set to make their pitch  —  Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya will arrive in Las Vegas today, just about five weeks after they arrived in Dana Point, Calif., for the general managers' meetings.  —  In the interim, well ... you could've guessed the two New York baseball general managers stayed …

Jays left on bench as 4 ‘big boys’ wait for offers  —  The baseball winter meetings commence tomorrow in the adult playground of the Nevada desert and the Jays are approaching this annual horsehide flesh market of trades and free agency like eunuchs at a bordello.

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.

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.