UPDATED: Giants talk to Sabathia's camp; Yanks rumored to be out, Brewers emerging  —  UPDATE: An executive close to the CC Sabathia talks told me the perception is that the Brewers are emerging as the frontrunner.  —  It's been confirmed to me that the Giants had discussions with CC Sabathia's camp …

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.

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 …

Second Tuesday afternoon update: Epstein says Red Sox ‘value [Buchholz] tremendously’  —  LAS VEGAS — If the Texas Rangers want Clay Buchholz, he won't come cheap.  —  When told this afternoon that Texas team president Nolan Ryan had said he was interested in Buchholz, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein responded: “I'm sure he is.”

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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...

Castillo to hit leadoff?  —  Reeling in Francisco Rodriguez wasn't the only bombshell by the Mets today.  —  Jerry Manuel revealed to reporters at the Winter Meetings that he might move embattled second baseman Luis Castillo into the leadoff spot next season — assuming Castillo is still a Met.

Kubek honored with '09 Frick Award  —  Former Yankee was voice of a generation in NBC broadcast  —  Tony Kubek, the former New York Yankees shortstop who made even a bigger name for himself in his post-playing career as an analyst on NBC's old “Game of the Week” telecasts …