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.

Rival executives: Cubs are willing to trade Prior … Four years ago, Mark Prior had the kind of stature that Johan Santana has now, as the pitcher that everybody would love to have.  But now the Chicago Cubs have made it known that they are willing to trade the former All-Star pitcher, rival executives say.

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.

Former Marlins trainer watches steroids debate with great interest  —  With a federal indictment looming over Barry Bonds, the steroids issue casts a cloud over the game that continues to grow darker with each passing home run.  —  Was it real, or was it enhancements?

Tom McCarthy rejoins Phillies broadcast team  —  Tom McCarthy, who spent the last two seasons as a play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets on WFAN, is returning to his roots as a member of the Phillies broadcasting team, Rob Brooks, Manager, Broadcasting announced today.

Cardinals are in familiar situation  —  Four years ago, the Cardinals reached baseball's winter meetings following a disappointing third-place season in which an incomplete pitching staff fed a frustrating summer and ultimately a collapse in September.  —  The Redbirds' entourage departed …

Omar watching winter ball in Dominican Republic  —  Omar Minaya spent the past several days in the Dominican Republic.  Here's a message I just received from a source in that country:  —  "Omar Minaya has been here since last Wednesday and he was seen at several winter baseball games.

Pirates, new hitting coach reach agreement  —  Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates this morning reached a contract agreement with Don Long to become their new hitting coach.  —  Long, 45, had been the Philadelphia Phillies' minor-league hitting coordinator since 1999 …

Indians' Lara suffered brain damage, spinal injury  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Doctors examining Cleveland Indians reliever Juan Lara found he had a spinal fracture, plus severe brain trauma fraom a weekend car accident.  —  Lara, who pitched in one game for Cleveland last season …

ROYALS NOTES: Guillen report denied  —  The Royals are dismissing reports from the Dominican Republic that say they are close to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Jose Guillen.  —  General manager Dayton Moore declined to comment on the matter, but indications suggest the Baltimore Orioles …

Tom Verducci: Six losing teams poised to break out in 2008  —  It's been many years since the phrase "five-year plan" has been heard around baseball.  Fans won't buy such talk any more because they so often see losing teams become playoff teams from one year to the next.