CC's agent pitches curves to Yankees  —  LAS VEGAS - The $140 million game of chicken began in earnest Sunday night when Brian Cashman met with CC Sabathia and his agent, Greg Genske, on the eve of the winter meetings at the Bellagio hotel.  —  According to industry sources …

Hoffman to talk with Minaya  —  Free-agent closer will fly in for day, meet with Mets  —  LAS VEGAS — In his quest to find a new team to play with, closer Trevor Hoffman will be meeting with Mets general manager Omar Minaya some time on Monday, a baseball source said and one of his agents confirmed late Sunday night.

The Night the Catching Market Changed  —  LAS VEGAS—It was after midnight on the East Coast, but baseball's winter meetings in Las Vegas were just waking up.  In a span of minutes, a pair of events occurred that significantly altered the complexion of the offseason market for catchers …

St. Louis Cardinals won't pursue Jake Peavy  —  The Cardinals now intend to retain second baseman Adam Kennedy (7) rather than trade him.  Kennedy says his “gut feel” is that he will be back in St. Louis.  (Scott Boehm/Getty Images)  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

White Sox shoot down trade rumors about Dye, Jenks  —  LAS VEGAS - While the White Sox awaited word on whether free-agent Orlando Cabrera would decline their salary arbitration offer, two trade scenarios were shot down Sunday night on the eve of the winter meetings.

Rockies sign C Phillips; Brewers bring back Coffey  —  Looking add Triple-A catching depth, the Rockies signed Paul Phillips to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.  —  Phillips, 31, has made bit appearances with the Royals and White Sox over the past five seasons.

Tigers and Rangers making significant progress on possible trade  —  LAS VEGAS - The Tigers and Texas Rangers have made significant progress toward a trade that would send catcher Gerald Laird to Detroit and pitching prospect Guillermo Moscoso to the Rangers.  —  It's not clear if the Tigers would include other prospects in the deal.

Veterans elect '40s star Gordon to Hall  —  Second baseman for Yankees, Indians picked by committee  —  LAS VEGAS — Joe Gordon, a nine-time All-Star second baseman for the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians and an American League MVP, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame …

Allen, Santo and Torre To Get The Call Monday  —  According to a source close to the situation, the Veteran's Committee will on Monday announce that Dick Allen, Ron Santo and Joe Torre have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  —  Dick Allen played in 1,749 games for the Philadelphia Phillies …

Rockies test Nats' interest in Taveras  —  LAS VEGAS — It is with a bit of irony that in a troubled economy, baseball arrived Sunday in a city nicknamed “Lost Wages.”  —  That doesn't mean the Rockies won't make a ripple in the Bellagio's 8-acre artificial lake.

Weathers accepts arbitration from Reds  —  Veteran righty setup man will return on a one-year contract  —  LAS VEGAS — Free-agent reliever David Weathers is back with the Reds.  —  Weathers accepted the Reds' offer of arbitration before a midnight ET deadline on Sunday.

Reyes opts to become a free agent  —  Dennys Reyes declined arbitration from the Twins late Sunday and became a free agent.  —  LAS VEGAS - Lefthander Dennys Reyes declined arbitration from the Twins late Sunday and became a free agent.  —  When Reyes signs with another team …