Meet the new boss?  —  Zito, Boras seem likely to get together with Minaya shortly  —  The Mets are moving forward with their plans to meet face-to-face with Barry Zito, their top remaining free-agent target.  —  "We are looking at doing something next week with Zito," Mets general manager Omar Minaya wrote in an e-mail yesterday.

Bargains scarce for Marlins  —  Larry Beinfest never thinks about being one of those Richie Rich general managers.  He knows what the Marlins can't do.  They can't stroll down the free-agent shopping aisle and, if they need relievers, just throw a couple in the cart.  —  And that $15 million outfielder?

Report: Drew to get second opinion  —  Red Sox concerned about shoulder; deal not yet finalized  —  BOSTON — Monday could be a pivotal day in the effort to finalize J.D. Drew's five-year contract with the Red Sox.  —  The Boston Globe reported Sunday that according to a Major League source familiar …

Yankees are just one of Pirates' options with Gonzalez  —  Team sees Braves, Red Sox in trade mix, too  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Whether Mike Gonzalez opens the 2007 season with a tomahawk across his chest or draped in pinstripes, this much is certain: His profile has been raised quite a bit this offseason.

Radke will announce retirement Tuesday  —  The Twins knew Brad Radke was close to announcing his retirement.  They just weren't sure when.  —  The Twins knew Brad Radke was close to announcing his retirement.  They just weren't sure when.  —  Radke plans to make it official Tuesday …

Closer closing in on joining Rangers  —  Eric Gagne will be in Arlington today to take his physical exam in anticipation of signing a one-year contract with the Rangers.  If all goes well, Gagne will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday.  —  Gagne has pitched only 15 1/3 innings the last two years because of elbow problems.

Williams on ball with Hall signing  —  Sometimes small moves can be important ones.  That figures to be the case with the White Sox's signing of backup catcher Toby Hall on Sunday, which completed a productive weekend for general manager Ken Williams.  —  Hall, 31, had been Tampa Bay's primary catcher …

'07 lineup a challenge for Melvin  —  Manager mulls options at leadoff, cleanup spots  —  There are two forces of energy at work within the Diamondbacks' brain trust.  Both involve guesswork and gambles.  Each includes strategy and an amount of secrecy.  But neither may be unveiled until …

Stopgap center fielder an option for Hendry  —  Veteran could fill bill in case Pie not ready  —  With little available in the free-agent market, the Cubs might elect to sign a veteran, defensive-minded outfielder who can play center field in case Felix Pie doesn't prove in spring training he's ready to become an everyday player.

Marcus Giles close to joining Padres  —  The Giles family reunion is on.  —  Free-agent second baseman Marcus Giles is expected to sign with the Padres early this week, joining his older brother, right fielder Brian Giles, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Marcus, 28, likely will agree to a one-year deal and possibly a club option.