Mets Are Close to a 3-Year Deal With Torrealba  —  One of the trademarks of Omar Minaya's three seasons as the Mets general manager has been his relentlessness in the free-agent market.  He isolates an area of need, locks onto a player and does not move on until a deal is completed.

Bonds: The path to indictment … Late on the morning of Dec. 4, 2003, Barry Bonds arrived at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco and was ushered into the courthouse by the lead investigator in the BALCO steroids case.  Bonds was flanked by his lawyer and a bodyguard …

Tax dispute could cost Jeter millions  —  Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, known for making the rounds at the city's hot spots, is on the hot seat with New York State, which says he owes back taxes because he claimed he lived in Florida when he was really a resident of the Big Apple.

Arizona Fall League Top 20 Prospects  —  That wasn't exactly how things ended up however.  —  Last year, the league boasted such names as Royals righthander Luke Hochevar, Mets righthanders Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey, as well as Devil Rays righthander Jeff Niemann.

Mariano Rivera holding out for fourth year  —  Having seen the Yankees hand out a four-year contract to Jorge Posada and a 10-year deal to Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera has apparently decided that three years are not enough for him.  —  According to sources, the All-Star closer is now demanding …

Hot Stove: Iguchi to test free agency  —  Second baseman to try his options after release from Phils  —  Teams searching for help at second base will have another potential option as Tadahito Iguchi is officially a free agent.  —  Philadelphia released Iguchi, who batted .301 while filling …

Lowell and behold, decision looms … Decision time is coming for Mike Lowell.  —  Although it is believed that the Red Sox [team stats]' current offer to the third baseman is more lucrative than the three-year, $ 36 million deal first put on the table at the GM meetings last week in Orlando …

Notes: Izturis' option declined  —  Veteran shortstop joins free agent market  —  PITTSBURGH — As expected, the Pirates declined to pick up the 2008 option on Cesar Izturis' contract, officially making the infielder the third member of the 2007 club to file for free agency.

East Windup Breakdown: Fukumori Kazuo (.. å'Œ.)  —  Fukumori Kazuo drew a few raised eyebrows when he announced he would challenge the major leagues and opt for free agency following the 2007 season.  The past year was a frustrating one for Fukumori, as he suffered a season ending right (throwing) elbow in late July.

YES benches SI's Tom Verducci  —  Tom Verducci is out as an analyst on YES's "Yankees Hot Stove.''  —  Why?  His recent, scathing column on SI.com regarding Joe Torre's departure might have had something to do with it.  Actually . . . it had pretty much everything to do with it.

Nuxhall, youngest player in MLB history, dies at 79  —  CINCINNATI — Joe Nuxhall, who was the youngest player in major league history and the beloved "old left-hander" on Cincinnati Reds radio broadcasts, died overnight following a bout with cancer, the team said Friday.  He was 79.

Gillick: No Lowell  —  Pat Gillick said today the Phillies are not in the market for a third baseman.  —  His word comes after an espn.com report said the Phillies plan to make a lucrative multiyear offer to free agent third baseman Mike Lowell.  —  "We're concentrating on pitching right now …

Rogers voices desire to stay with Tigers  —  Free-agent southpaw indicates Detroit remains first choice  —  DETROIT — While Kenny Rogers and his agent gauge interest from other clubs in free agency, including a potential return to the Rangers, the free-agent pitcher still sounds …

Odds and Ends: Kendall, Matsui, Fukumori  —  Here are some non A-Rod/Lowell rumors from today...  - MLB.com's Adam McCalvy says the Brewers are interested in Jason Kendall.  Kendall is somehow seeking a two-year deal.  The Rockies are in on him as well.  The Brewers still have Johnny Estrada, but they're not happy with him.