METS AIMING FOR SOME HELP ON THE MOUND  —  The Mets won't make a trade with the Twins simply to rent ace left-hander Johan Santana.  For the Mets to trade for Santana, they would require a window to discuss a new contract, a person with knowledge of the club's thinking said yesterday.

Seeking relief: Bullpen aces prime targets in free agency  —  Relief pitchers are beginning to make their mark on the free agent market again this winter, but how much value remains is the difficult call for teams looking to beef up their bullpens.  The recent lesson is money might not be the answer.

Loyalty not an act for this Red Sox fan  —  Homeboy Matt Damon, who narrates the 2007 World Series DVD that had its premiere last night at the Wang Center, is proud of his bona fides as a Red Sox fan, one who showed up on David Letterman's show last summer wearing a Sox jersey to diss the Yankees his entire interview.

Hampton hurt again; whither Andruw?  —  A quick one, before he's away at the Winter Meetings (OK, that was fairly lame paraphrasing of the The Who's rockin' second album title).  —  If it seems like negotiation wheels are grinding slowly for free agents such as the Braves' Andruw Jones, Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel, well, they are.

D-Backs waiting for Kuroda on offer  —  The Diamondbacks have extended an offer to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda and are waiting to hear back from the Japanese free agent.  —  General Manager Josh Byrnes would not divulge details of the offer, but Kuroda could command a deal worth up to $10 million a year for at least three years.

Report: Brocail, Astros agree on terms  —  Right-handed reliever last pitched for Houston in 1996  —  HOUSTON — The Astros and free-agent right-hander Doug Brocail have agreed to terms on a contract, a Houston television station reported on Monday night.  —  KRIV-TV, citing Major League …

Mailbag: Who's on third?  —  Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers Phils fans' questions  —  Who is the best possibility at third base for the Phillies?  Since Mike Lowell has re-signed with Boston and Abraham Nunez is gone, who could they sign to fill the spot?

Astros bring in five new scouts  —  Club appoints Bratton as Midwest scouting supervisor  —  HOUSTON — The Astros, as part of their ongoing efforts to upgrade the club's player development pipeline, on Monday added five new scouts to the organization and named longtime scout Ralph Bratton as Midwest scouting supervisor.

Mailbag: More offense at catcher?  —  Team reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' burning questions … How expendable is Brian Schneider?  I really like him, but there are many catchers with more offensive output that could potentially replace him.  —  I would not say that Schneider is expendable …

Sean Taylor Dies in Miami  —  Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor died early Tuesday from the gunshot wound he suffered a day earlier in his Miami home.  —  "He did not make it through the night," said Taylor's attorney, Richard Sharpstein, who called the incident "a ridiculous, unnecessary tragedy."

Notes: Bannister earns honor  —  Right-hander named to Topps Rookie All-Star team  —  KANSAS CITY — Right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister was named to the 49th Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team in balloting by managers.  —  Bannister led the Royals' staff in victories …

Wood welcomes closer's role  —  Kerry Wood called it a "pretty easy decision" to return to the Cubs, and left no doubt he's psyched about the opportunity to replace Ryan Dempster as the closer in 2008.  —  "I would think anybody that plays this game wants to be in that position," …