Mets Offer Lowe a 3-Year Deal  —  The Mets have offered the free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe a three-year contract for about $36 million, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions.  —  As the Mets try to add another starter, they have concentrated on Lowe, 35, as their No. 1 option over Oliver Pérez.

Rox agree to ship Vizcaino to Cubs for Marquis  —  The Rockies are going to swap a relief bust for rotation depth.  —  The Rockies and Cubs have agreed in principle on a deal that would send Luis Vizcaino to Chicago for starter Jason Marquis, according to multiple baseball sources.

Manny Ramirez's agent contacts the Dodgers  —  Negotiations for slugger appear to be underway again as Scott Boras gets in touch with team after General Manager Ned Colletti says Ramirez remains the club's ‘first choice.’  —  The Dodgers' on-again, off-again negotiations with Manny Ramirez appear to be on again.

C. Izturis to join Mora on Venezuela's WBC team  —  Cesar Izturis, the Orioles' new starting shortstop, is planning to represent Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, according to his agent.  Izturis expects to join Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora on the Venezuelan team.

Upon further review, Hawk belongs in Cooperstown  —  Andre Dawson finished with 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI and a .482 slugging percentage.  He ranks 25th all time in total bases, 34th in RBI, 36th in home runs and 45th in hits.  He even had 314 stolen bases.

Former Red Benzinger named Dragons manager  —  He takes over position after departure of Dismuke for job with Braves' AAA team.  —  DAYTON — Todd Benzinger — best known for recording the final out of the 1990 World Series for the victorious Cincinnati Reds — today, Dec. 31 …

Dodgers sign pitcher Claudio Vargas  —  The Dodgers may have found a pitcher who could take a spot in the back end of their rotation, signing right-hander Claudio Vargas to an incentive-laden, one-year deal.  —  Vargas will be paid a base salary of $400,000 and can earn an additional $1.4 million in incentives.

Minor League Transactions  —  This week's installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Dec. 16 and Dec. 23.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Released: RHP Eligio Lagua, RHP Eliezer Murillo, RHP Matt Timms, LHP Tim Ladd, LHP T.J. Wohlever, OF Mike Elkerson, OF Chad Maddox

Astros pick in 2006 ill with meningitis  —  Sapp, 20, has been in hospital for two weeks  —  Max Sapp, the Astros' first-round draft pick in 2006, has been hospitalized for more than two weeks in Orlando, Fla., with a case of meningitis, assistant general manager Ricky Bennett said Tuesday.

Orioles: Sexson an option at 1B?  —  The Orioles still are trying to figure out what they'll do at first base this coming season, and they've given some consideration to attempting a salvage operation with former 45-homer guy Richie Sexson.  Club officials apparently have had at least …