Top News:

Red Sox-Mets Talking Deal For Schneider — Two industry sources here at the Bellagio have confirmed the Boston Red Sox are in discussions with the New York Mets about catcher Brian Schneider, a further indication the Red Sox are preparing for the departure of captain Jason Varitek.
Discussion:
Bats, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, The 'Ropolitans, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, 24 Hours From Suicide and My Pinstripes
RELATED:

Winter Meetings update — The Mets talked several weeks ago to the Red Sox about dealing Brian Schneider. But the Met plan then was to trade Schneider and hopefully sign free agent Jason Varitek because the Mets thought better game-calling was needed. But once the Red Sox agreed …


K-ROD'S AGENT WILLING TO BE CREATIVE WITH METS — TALKING ABOUT SHORTER DEAL WITH OPT-OUT — Francisco Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, acknowledges his client set the single-season saves record at the wrong time. With the economy spiraling, Kinzer acknowledged the bids for his client are down, as well.

Phillies involved in Cubs-Padres Peavy talks — LAS VEGAS — The continued effort between San Diego and the Cubs to figure out a way to send ace Jake Peavy to Chicago has resulted in their engaging the Philadelphia Phillies as a potential third team to help facilitate a deal, CBSSports.com has learned.
Discussion:
Philly.com, MASN Online, Chicago's Inside Pitch, Phillies Nation, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff and Hot Foot
RELATED:

Marquis appears a longshot given Rockies' payroll — LAS VEGAS — The Rockies have intensified their search for a starter at the winter meetings today, but the Cubs' Jason Marquis doesn't appear a fit. Colorado likes Marquis and has discussed him internally.

GM: Sabathia says he would like to be a Dodger — Maybe CC Sabathia does indeed want to work close to home. — Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Monday that he ran into the free agent on Sunday night in a hotel lobby and the left-hander told him that he wants to be a Dodger.
RELATED:

Update from the suite — Brian Cashman just said he met again today with CC Sabathia. “We're on his list,” Cashman said. — More to come. — UPDATE, 7:02 p.m.: Joe Girardi said he felt good about the meeting. Sabathia asked questions about the lifestyle in New York for his wife and kids, schools, etc.


CC gets the scoop on N.Y.
Discussion:
For the Record, JSOnline, The LoHud Yankees Blog, umpbump.com, On the Yankees beat and Sliding Into Home


CC tells Colletti of interest in Dodgers — Dodgers GM hopes to re-sign Blake; talks for Cano not substantial — LAS VEGAS — In the Bellagio Hotel to meet with Yankees brass on Sunday night, free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia ran into Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and told him he wants to be a Dodger, Colletti said on Monday.
Discussion:
Inside the Dodgers, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Associated Press, Hot Stove Blog, True Blue LA, JSOnline, iYankees and Sliding Into Home
RELATED:

Maddux will be missed; could Ankiel be a Brave? — Las Vegas — He walked among us as just another guy, with an rather unimpressive physique and a wonderful whacked-out, self-deprecating sense of humor. — But atop the pitcher's mound, Greg Maddux was not just another guy. Or even just another major league ace.
RELATED:


GM Wren busy talking deals on Day 1 — Outfielders Ankiel, Hart, Hermida squarely on Braves' radar — LAS VEGAS — Based on the number of phone calls he fielded last week, Braves general manager Frank Wren expected to come to Las Vegas and find a number of his peers ready to accelerate previous trade talks.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors


K-Rod looking cozy with Mets — It seems that the lobby of the Bellagio is no longer the place to be for stakeout duty here. Now the crush of reporters, as well as curious passersby, are clogging the area around the elevator banks on the fringe of the casino.
RELATED:

Before you fire up the snowblower, here are more winter meetings updates — Just spoke with sources on both sides of the Delmon Young-to-the-Phillies rumor: — It would take more than Jason Donald for the Twins to make that deal. The Phillies are looking for a corner outfielder …
RELATED:


Gordon elected to Hall by Veterans Committee — Former Yankees, Indians second baseman to be enshrined in 2009 — National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Nine-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion Joe Gordon was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today by the Veterans Committee.
RELATED:

Veterans elect '40s star Gordon to Hall
Discussion:
Dugout Central, Out Of Left Field, My Pinstripes, CastroTurf, The Cub Reporter (TCR) and The Griddle

YANKEES MEET WITH BEN SHEETS — LAS VEGAS — In addition to meeting with CC Sabathia today, the Yankees met with his former Brewers teammate and fellow free agent, Ben Sheets, late this afternoon. — Sheets, 30, who started the All-Star Game for the National League this season …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Pinstriped Scranton, Hot Stove Blog, MLB Rumors, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, Pinstripes, Pa. and The Yankee Scrolls

Wrapping Up Day One — Here is the text of what I wrote about the Nationals for the print edition. Go to the jump for some additional nuggets that did not make the paper: — Whatever the view around the game is of the Washington Nationals' unlikely pursuit of free agent Mark Teixeira …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings