Brian Cashman meeting with CC Sabathia for third time  —  Pitcher CC Sabathia (AP Photo)  —  LAS VEGAS - Brian Cashman is meeting with CC Sabathia for the third consecutive day, this time in San Francisco.  —  Multiple sources confirmed the Cashman-Sabathia meeting to Newsday.

Former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood agrees to deal with Cleveland Indians  —  LAS VEGAS — With two teams to pick from in the American League Central, Kerry Wood appears to have rejected overtures from Detroit to take a deal with Cleveland.  —  Wood's decision to sign with the Indians followed …

METS, K-ROD CONTINUE TALKS  —  LAS VEGAS - Mets officials and representatives for Francisco Rodriguez were huddled this morning in attempts to put the last items in place for a contract that will bring the elite closer to New York on a contract in three-year, $37 million range.

Moreno says Teixeira still top target … LAS VEGAS — While speculation has swirled at different times about the possibility of the Angels interrupting their well-known pursuit of free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira to make a play for ace starter CC Sabathia, who has made it known he'd prefer …

Jake Peavy deal waits on Cubs decision  —  Sources say DeRosa, Marquis included in proposed 3-team trade  —  LAS VEGAS - While general manager Jim Hendry said he spoke to representatives of three or four free agents Tuesday on the second day of baseball's winter meetings, the Jake Peavy rumors continue to take center stage.

Orioles trade Hernandez  —  Catcher dealt to Reds for Freel, two minor league infielders  —  LAS VEGAS - The Orioles have met one of their objectives at the winter meetings, finding a taker for veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez.  —  The club announced tonight that it will send Hernandez …

Rays met with Giambi  —  UPDATE, 9:18: Executive VP Andrew Friedman called it “a very good meeting” and said Giambi has “got a lot of the characteristics of a hitter that we like.”  He also said he spoke on the phone with a third potential addition, whom he would not name …

Meeting with Sheets impressed Girardi  —  Joe Girardi confirmed that the Yankees met with Ben Sheets and his agent, Casey Close, yesterday.  —  “I faced Ben Sheets when I was with the Cubs and I've admired the work that he's done over the years.  It was good to talk to him about his health, his routines and what he likes to do.

Dec. 9 — MANUEL'S CONTRACT EXTENDED  —  LAS VEGAS — Deadline for The Paper is creeping up, but Ruben Amaro Jr. just let us know (so, we'll let you know) that Charlie Manuel has received a contract extension.  The Phillies picked up Manuel's 2010 option and tacked on an extra season.

Redding for Taveras dead for now, but Rockies could still end up with Redding  —  LAS VEGAS — A year after miscalculating on the impact of young starters, the Rockies remain determined to build rotation depth.  They are aggressively pursuing Washington right-hander Tim Redding …

Hanson first hurler named AFL MVP  —  Braves right-hander garners Joe Black Award at Winter Meetings  —  LAS VEGAS — There was little doubt who the most dominant player in the Arizona Fall League was this past season, but it was unclear until Tuesday whether or not that player would be given …

Vegas updates 4:50p.m.  —Free agent Jason Giambi met with the Rays on Tuesday and is a candidate to fill their DH slot.  —The Brewers are expected to move to the head of the class in the Brian Fuentes sweepstakes now that free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez has agreed to terms on a three-year …

Billy Ripken Obscenity Bat: He Finally Talks 20 Years Later  —  Had Billy Ripken not received a shipment of less than ideal Louisville Slugger R161 models that year...  Had Billy Ripken not decided to use one of those bats for batting practice that year... Had Billy Ripken not elected to mark that bat in a unique way that year...