Phils get ex-Astros closer Lidge in 5-player deal  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired reliever Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros in a five-player trade on Wednesday night.  —  The Phillies sent outfielder Michael Bourn, pitcher Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo to Houston …

Red Sox sit down with Boras  —  Agent pitches Rodriguez to Epstein at meetings  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and his staff headed into a meeting with agent Scott Boras last night as good listeners.  —  There was no need to jump feetfirst into the Alex Rodriguez sweepstakes.

Florida Sun Doesn't Shine on Baseball  —  Here they go again.  The Florida Marlins, who have dismantled more World Series championship teams in the last 10 years than 27 other teams have had championships, are unloading their stars again.  —  The Marlins won't admit it publicly …

Cabrera's status a hot topic at meetings  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - The Marlins are almost certain to trade third baseman Miguel Cabrera.  The question is where.  —  The Cabrera talks intensified at the general managers' meetings on Wednesday, with the Angels emerging as a particularly intriguing possibility.

Yankees reportedly interested in Tejada  —  O's shortstop could be fallback for New York if they strike out on Miguel Cabrera  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - Though it's much too early to fit Miguel Tejada for pinstripes, it's not entirely out of the question either.

Damon meets with Girardi, Cashman, likely will stay  —  Johnny Damon waits for a decision by the umpires about his first inning home run.  (Newsday/Paul J. Bereswill / October 4, 2007)  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - With the general managers' meetings here a "12-minute" drive from his house, Johnny Damon met Joe Girardi for breakfast yesterday.

Clemens to work for Astros, may be done playing  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Roger Clemens is ready to join the Houston Astros — as a consultant.  —  In a sign that Clemens' pitching career could be over, his agent told the Astros on Wednesday that the seven-time Cy Young winner is set to start his personal-services contract with the team.

Cubs picking up Japanese  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — A year after beefing up their Far East scouting, the Cubs seem poised to make a big splash this offseason in the Japanese free-agent market.  —  During their recent organizational meetings, sources say, the Cubs focused much of their attention …

Nationals target Gomez, Pelfrey  —  Outfielder, righty would help add youth to roster  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are not close to making any deals at the General Managers Meetings in Orlando, Fla., but, according to a baseball source, the team has its sights on Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-hander Mike Pelfrey.

Beinfest an A1 dealer  —  Sure, it's depressing to see Miguel Cabrera's name out there on the trading block, but at least Larry Beinfest has been here before.  —  If nothing else, Marlins fans (both of them) should take solace in that.  They also should trust Beinfest's track record …

Runner's Reluctance - Part One  —  Sometimes I think most baseball strategy has been figured out thanks to sabermetricians like you and me.  Then I discover that a major facet of the game is being mismanaged at a shocking rate.  —  Let me explain.  I recently undertook a study to analyze …

If Rodriguez Price Falls, Mets Might Be Interested  —  The Mets had a meeting Wednesday with Scott Boras, the agent for third baseman Alex Rodriguez, staying on the fringes of negotiations for the marquee free agent of the off-season.  —  There are no indications that the Mets …

Brian Cashman: Jason Giambi will play some first base  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Brian Cashman has been hard at work trying to figure out what to do at third base next season.  First base, however, is not taking up much of his time.  —  The Yankees' GM said yesterday that he expects Jason Giambi …