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.

Barry Bonds is a Ham Sandwich  —  A grand jury, held open for nearly four years, handed down an indictment yesterday against Barry Bonds for perjury and obstruction.  Bonds is accused of lying to a grand jury in the government's case against BALCO, specifically saying that he did not knowingly use steroids …

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 …

Glavine offered contract to return to Braves  —  The Atlanta Braves offered Tom Glavine a contract Friday, the first attempt to reunite the free agent left-hander with the franchise he broke into the majors with 20 years ago.  —  Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, said Friday that Glavine would take less money to join the Braves.

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.

Dodgers looking at Rowand  —  The free-agent center fielder, who grew up in Southern California, hit .309 with 27 home runs and 89 runs batted in for the Phillies last season.  —  The Dodgers are one of about 10 teams that have had contact with free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand, according to Rowand's agent, Craig Landis.

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.

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.

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.