Sources: Yankees to trade Melky for Cameron  —  The Yankees have found their center fielder for 2009, as they are set to send Melky Cabrera to Milwaukee for veteran outfielder Mike Cameron on Thursday, according to two major league sources.  —  The Yankees have been saying that Cabrera …

CASHMAN FLIES TO SEE PETTITTE  —  MESSAGE: ONE ROTATION SPOT LEFT FOR $10 MILLION  —  By JOEL SHERMAN IN LAS VEGAS and GEORGE A. KING III IN NEW YORK  —  LAS VEGAS — Brian Cashman again jetted away from the Winter Meetings to meet face-to-face with a lefty starter.

No offer to Varitek  —  LAS VEGAS — Except for the “offer” of arbitration, which he declined, free agent catcher Jason Varitek has not received a contractual offer from the Red Sox, a source familiar with the talks said.  —  Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, had been asked at a press briefing Wednesday …

Mets now have terrific twosome in 'pen … LAS VEGAS — The New York Mets of 2008 didn't just have a closer problem.  They had a bullpen problem.  —  The Mets of 2008 didn't just have a ninth-inning problem.  They had a how-the-heck-do-we-get-to-the-ninth- inning problem.  —  Well, not anymore.

Teixeira negotiations continue to escalate  —  Buzz up!  —  LAS VEGAS - The Mark Teixeira negotiations have put agent Scott Boras in a position he loves.  Information about the amount of money and length of a deal offered to his client continually leaks out - some of it probably coming …

Rule 5 Draft Pick By Pick  —  Major League Phase  —  First Round  —  1. Nationals  —  Terrell Young, rhp, Reds  —  2. Mariners  —  Reggie Corona, ss/2b, Yankees  —  3. Padres  —  Everth Cabrera, ss/2b, Rockies  —  4. Pirates  —  Donald Veal, lhp, Cubs  —  *5. Orioles

Twins re-sign Punto to two-year, $8.5 million deal with option for 2011  —  The Twins have re-signed free agent Nick Punto to a two-year contract with an option for 2011.  La Velle has more details from Las Vegas.  —  “Nick has been an important part of the Twins' success for the past five years …

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Look At What The Edwin Jackson Trade Means For The Rays  —  The One Where We Look At What The Edwin Jackson Trade Means For The Rays  —  Last night the Rays acquired outfielder Matt Joyce from the Detroit Tigers for Edwin Jackson.  —  What this trade means for the rotation...

Tendering Saito a ‘tough call’ for LA  —  Dodgers also waiting to hear word from shortstop Furcal  —  LAS VEGAS — The Dodgers don't know how long they must wait for Rafael Furcal to decide if he'll return as shortstop, but they'll know by Friday if closer Takashi Saito will be back.

Sources: Pirates, infielder Vazquez close to deal … The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to an agreement on a two-year, $4 million deal with free-agent infielder Ramon Vazquez, two baseball sources told ESPN.com.  —  Pirates general manager Neal Huntington declined to address terms but said a deal could be reached shortly.

Club and closer still need each other, but can they mend the fences?  —  LAS VEGAS — The case for Trevor Hoffman is conditional.  It is predicated on the departure of Jake Peavy and the return of peaceful coexistence to the Padres.  —  Baseball's career saves leader has some fences to mend …

Cole Hamels Meets Talk Radio  —  I'm not usually a fan of trash talk, accusations of overratedness, or discussions that center around the word “choke.”  But with just about every important baseball figure on an airplane heading home from Las Vegas this afternoon, it's a slow news day …

ATKINS FOR CARRASCO?  —  LAS VEGAS — This is far from being considered imminent.  In fact, there's little evidence that the teams have done more than make a few phone calls.  But if the Phillies are looking for a middle-of-the-lineup right-handed hitter, the Rockies have told them that third baseman Garrett Atkins is available.