Mets acquire catcher Johnny Estrada  —  The New York Mets announced today that they have acquired catcher Johnny Estrada from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for righthanded pitcher Guillermo Mota.  —  "Johnny adds depth to our catching situation," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya.

Rollins nabs NL MVP Award  —  Shortstop backed up talk this season with big performance  —  PHILADELPHIA — Considering the amazing streaks for the teams whose uniforms they wore, the National League MVP race had to be this close.  —  There could be no other finish.

White Sox designate Scott Podsednik for assignment  —  Add four players to roster  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have designated outfielder Scott Podsednik for assignment and have purchased the contracts of catcher Cole Armstrong and right-handed pitchers Jack Egbert, Lucas Harrell and Adam Russell.

Sources: Tribe near deal with Kobayashi  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Indians, continuing the run on Japanese relievers, are close to an agreement with right-hander Masahide Kobayashi, according to major-league sources.  —  Kobayashi was already taking his physical for the team Tuesday.

Mariano Rivera takes 3-year deal for $45 million from Yankees  —  Mariano Rivera did what he does best Monday: He closed the deal.  —  Rivera, the team's All-Star closer, agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract, remaining in the only big-league uniform he has ever worn.

Lowell Opts for Comfort and Stays With Red Sox  —  Mike Lowell wanted to keep playing third base for the Boston Red Sox, but he also wanted a four-year deal.  The Red Sox wanted to re-sign Lowell, but they did not want to give him a contract for more than three years.

Notes: Pettitte watch begins  —  Following holiday break, Girardi looks to talk to lefty about '08  —  NEW YORK — If Joe Girardi's reasoning is correct, Andy Pettitte may be getting to a point where the baseball bug is biting, where thoughts of retirement can be put off for one more World Series pursuit.

Yankees sign RHP Scott Patterson; Add three others to roster  —  The New York Yankees announced today they have signed right-handed pitcher Scott Patterson to a Major League contract and added catcher Francisco Cervelli and right-handed pitchers Jeffrey Marquez and Steven White to the 40-man roster.

Padres sign Adrian Gonzalez's brother to minor league deal  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) -The Padres agreed to terms Tuesday with four minor league free agents, including infielder Edgar Gonzalez, the older brother of San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  —  Gonzalez played in 126 games for Triple …

Phillies acquire OF Chris Snelling from Rays for cash  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies acquired outfielder Chris Snelling from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash on Tuesday.  —  Snelling hit a combined .246 with one home run and seven RBIs in 30 games with Washington and Oakland this year.

Nick Cafardo Red Sox chat transcript  —  Nick, do you think the Sox will make a serious attempt to obtain Johan Santana?  What kind of players would it take?  —  Nick_Cafardo  —  Hard to read.  I think they'll explore it.  It seems to me they won't give up both Lester and Buchholz and certainly not Ellsbury.

Sources: Dodgers lead race for Cabrera  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Angels no longer are the front-runners for Miguel Cabrera.  —  The Dodgers stand a better chance of acquiring Cabrera from the Marlins, major-league sources say, if they part with outfielder Matt Kemp along …

Royals announce 40-man roster  —  KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals have set their winter 40-man roster.  The Royals have selected catcher Matt Tupman, infielder Mario Lisson, left-handed pitcher Tyler Lumsden and right-handed pitcher Julio Pimentel to the Major League 40-man roster.

Boras: Jones isn't going to settle for one-year deal  —  Despite Andruw Jones' struggles, agent Scott Boras said Tuesday that he does not expect Jones to sign a one-year contract in an effort to rehabilitate his numbers and file for free agency again next winter.  —  Jones hit .222 last season.

John McDonough resigns as President of the Chicago Cubs  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs today announced John McDonough resigned as president of the Chicago Cubs to accept a position as president of the Chicago Blackhawks.  Crane Kenney, to whom McDonough reported, will continue overseeing …

WFAN lands Heyman, Girardi  —  It's always baseball season on WFAN, so it's no surprise that when it made two announcements in recent days, both involved the New York pastime.  —  Friday, the station revealed it had hired Jon Heyman away from ESPN 1050, for whom he had spent the past five years offering insights and information.

Prospectus Today  —  NL MVP  —  Who is the National League Most Valuable Player?  —  I have no idea.  I'm going to research this article as I write it, in the hopes of having an answer by the end of it, in advance of today's announcement of the BBWAA's choice.