More boom or recession for baseball?  —  Will tough economic times keep pitcher CC Sabathia and sluggers Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira from mega-millions as expected?  So far, yes, but this is the week of baseball's winter meetings, when the big bucks usually start to flow.

Las Vegas dealers  —  Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin runs a baseball team in middle America.  The economy is tough, yet he waits to hear whether CC Sabathia will accept their $100 million offer or whether he'll have to move on to Plan B.  —  As baseball's winter meetings …

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.

Source: Reds deal Bailey for White Sox slugger  —  Jermaine Dye, a 12-year veteran with a .278 career average, would give team a proven right-handed batter.  —  With baseball's annual winter meetings unfurling this week at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, rumors run rampant.

Need a player?  See Texas Rangers  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  Forget the gambling and the nightlife; Las Vegas is the nation's No. 1 destination for trade shows.  —  Almost anybody can roll into town, set up a display booth and start selling wares at wholesale prices.

Varitek to decline salary arbitration from Red Sox  —  LAS VEGAS - A source close to Sox catcher Jason Varitek confirmed that Varitek would decline salary arbitration from the Red Sox before the midnight deadline.  This will allow Varitek to pursue his free-agent market without being tied exclusively …

Jack Zduriencik likely looking to boost Mariners' power  —  A year ago in Nashville, Tenn., former Mariners general manager...  LAS VEGAS — The stunning difference 12 months has made for the Mariners should be hammered home this week.  —  A year ago in Nashville, Tenn. …

YANK PLAN: CHECK, RAISE  —  Las Vegas is a city built on the backs of losers.  Hall of Fame loser O.J. Simpson will leave it in handcuffs.  Rap star Tupac departed in a body bag thanks to being ventilated on The Strip after a fight featuring Mike Tyson, one of the all-time losers.

Hot Stove News Tracker The Latest Buzz from around the Majors  —  LAS VEGAS — Superstar free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia would love to go home to the Giants.  But do they have the resolve, or more importantly, the cash, to bid anywhere in the Yankees' stratosphere?

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.

Read: Q&A with Original Mr. Met  —  Recently, I sat down with Dan Reilly, the original Mr. Met.  —  Our conversation was truly a step back into Mets history, and thanks to Mr. Reilly's first person accounts, I felt like I had been there myself.  —  Reilly's new book, “The Original Mr. Met Remembers …

IS TODAY THE DAY FOR DETROIT?  —  With 12 losses to start the 2008 season and only four more chances to avoid the first 0-16 season ever, the Detroit Lions welcome to town a team that they faced in an identical situation seven years ago.  —  It was December 16, 2001, the first year of the Matt Millen experience in Motown.