HE MIGHT BE STAY-ROD  —  LONG SHOT ARBITRATION SCHEME COULD KEEP ALEX IN BRONX  —  The last tiny, but real, lifeline between the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez still exists - arbitration.  —  When asked last weekend if the Yanks would offer arbitration to Rodriguez, GM Brian Cashman said, "of course."

Yankees want Miguel Cabrera, won't trade big three pitchers  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - If the Yankees want Miguel Cabrera to succeed Alex Rodriguez as their third baseman, it's going to cost them.  —  Brian Cashman met with the Marlins at about 6 p.m. last night at the GM meetings.

Mets covet pitching most, not A-Rod  —  The Mets have their sites set on improving their pitching, and Red Sox reliever Eric Gagne is among those they could sign this offseason.  (Getty Images Photo)  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - As of dinnertime last night, the Mets had yet to meet with Scott Boras …

Phillies looking at Japanese pitching star  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Curt Schilling may not have been the Phillies' No. 1 choice to address their desperate need to add a starting pitcher, but the news that he opted to remain with the Boston Red Sox hit the team harder than they probably wanted to let on.

A-Rod who?  David Wright wins Gold Glove  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - David Wright deserves all kinds of praise for his 2007 season, but winning a Gold Glove Award at third base?  That apparently even surprised the Mets.  —  Wright and Carlos Beltran both were awarded Gold Gloves Tuesday …

Notebook: Baseball GMs approve replay for home runs  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Baseball's general managers sent their strongest message yet to Bud Selig that they want instant replay.  But developments in the game progress at "glacier-like movement," Major League Baseball executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon …

Indians exercise Byrd option, not good judgment  —  By now, it is obvious that the folks who own and operate Major League Baseball franchises could not give a fat rat's behind about past use of performance-enhancing drugs.  No matter what George Mitchell and his band of merry barristers uncover …

Rocks' focus: contracts  —  ORLANDO, FLA. — As trade talk began to percolate at the general managers meetings, the Rockies' focus shifted Tuesday to contracts.  —  Colorado has made two-year offers to second baseman Kazuo Matsui and catcher Yorvit Torrealba and settled on the multiyear proposal …

Diamondbacks' owner defends Williams  —  Owner says former D-Backs player used HGH to speed his recovery  —  Former Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams, a key member of the club's 2001 championship team and one of the team's minority owners, bought more than $22,000 worth …

'84 Series would have been at Comiskey  —  Former commissioner Ueberroth says no lights at Wrigley was deciding factor  —  If the 1984 Cubs had defeated the San Diego Padres to capture the National League pennant, the World Series would have been played at — gasp — Comiskey Park.

The sorrow and the pity: a Bronx tale  —  Admit it, now that the World Series trophy has paraded through every Middlesex village and farm.  You are starting to feel a little sorry for them.  The New York Yankees, I mean.  —  Truth be told, they are pathetic.