Greinke.  Gone.  —  I've got to hand it to Dayton Moore - I didn't think he could do it.  I didn't think he could find anyone to take Yuniesky Betancourt off his hands, and I didn't think he had it in him to admit he made a mistake in acquiring Yuni in the first place.  And he did.

Mets wait for pitcher prices to drop, have expressed preliminary interest in Freddy Garcia: source  —  Freddy Garcia spends a brief stint in the Mets organization in 2009.  While healing from shoulder issues, Garcia endures two ineffective appearances for Triple-A Buffalo, and is released.

Blue Jays sign Patterson, five others to minor-league deals  —  TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays signed speedy outfielder Corey Patterson and five other players to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training Tuesday.  —  Patterson, 31, batted .269 with eight home runs …

One nickname for Phillies' aces rises to top  —  IF YOU want to create a nifty nickname for a player, a team or part of a team, you have to think like a bride.  Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.  —  Well, maybe not too blue because the kids are gonna …

Former Phillies' prospect Flande signs minor league deal with Braves  —  Lefthander Yohan Flande, who was released this month by the Phillies to make room on the 40-man roster, has signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves with an invitation to spring training.

Nats in mix for Pavano, maybe not for Webb  —  NEW YORK — The Cubs and Rangers have jumped ahead of the Nationals in the Brandon Webb sweepstakes, according to a source.  No reason was given as to why the Nats fell behind in the race.  —  Washington was thought to be the front-runners …

Rockies sign Buckner to Minors contract  —  Right-hander's deal includes invitation for Spring Training  —  DENVER — The Rockies have signed former Royals and D-backs right-hander Billy Buckner to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the team announced Monday.

Feeling good about saying no to McGwire  —  I've changed my mind on something.  I want you to know that.  —  I'm peering at this year's Hall of Fame ballot from the Baseball Writers' Association of America, of which I am a member.  About a week remains before I have to fax in my ballot …

Cash proceeding as though Andy won't return  —  Andy Pettitte has made retirement contemplation a way of life.  This marks the fifth straight offseason in which he hasn't held a firm commitment to pitch the subsequent year, and in each of those, he has considered retirement with various degrees of seriousness.

Mets' Rebuilding Could Get Boost if Playoffs Expand  —  It is just the Mets' luck, stuck in the division of dynasties.  The Atlanta Braves tormented them from 1995 to 2005, rolling to 11 consecutive National League East titles.  The Philadelphia Phillies took over in 2007, piling on the misery, and have won the last four.

Instant replay for balls and strikes  —  I am a big advocate for instant replay in baseball and I have been long before the rash of dreadful calls in the 2009 postseason and the Armando Galarraga/Jim Joyce episode.  And while I respect different opinions of any topic, I have yet to hear …

Strasbug ‘on track’ in elbow rehab … WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg says his rehabilitation is “on track” and that he hopes to start throwing a few weeks before spring training.  —  The Washington Nationals pitcher whose sensational rookie season was cut short by reconstructive elbow surgery …