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.

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 …

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.

Red Sox have more on mind than Teixeira  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  LAS VEGAS — While the Red Sox [team stats] continue to bide their time on making an offer to free agent Mark Teixeira, they continue to work multiple fronts in their efforts to improve the team.

Peavy deal hinges only on Marquis move  —  Buzz up!  —  LAS VEGAS - The lone holdup in a deal sending San Diego ace Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs is the team's ability to trade starting pitcher Jason Marquis, a source close to the situation said Tuesday night.

The truth about the Brewers' offer  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Las Vegas - Here is the real scoop on the Brewers' offer to free agent lefty CC Sabathia, straight from the mouth of general manager Doug Melvin:  —  he Brewers have not increased their initial offer to Sabathia.

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 …

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 …

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.

Tigers, Mariners actively discussing Putz trade  —  LAS VEGAS - This morning, the Tigers and Seattle Mariners have discussed a trade that would bring closer J.J. Putz back to his home state.  —  It's not clear if the clubs are close to a deal, but the talks appear to be ongoing.

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 …

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 …

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...

Notes: Furcal's suitors, Blake's numbers and more  —  Buzz up!  —  LAS VEGAS - Rafael Furcal continues to draw interest from the Dodgers, A's, Orioles and Blue Jays, though his list is fluid, and might also at times include the Indians and Royals.  The Orioles' interest is perhaps most interesting …