Sources: Rays, Twins close to Young-Garza swap  —  The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are close to a swap of two potential future stars.  —  The Twins would acquire outfielder Delmon Young in exchange for right-hander Matt Garza, sources told ESPN.com's Keith Law.

Source: Don't count out Mets in Johan trade derby  —  A major league executive with knowledge of the Twins' trade talks told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand that the Mets should not be counted out of the Johan Santana Sweepstakes.  Mets general manager Omar Minaya has had talks with Twins GM Bill Smith.

Mets make no bones about their needs  —  Minaya and staff head to Winter Meetings seeking pitching  —  NEW YORK — If the Mets' "next year" were to begin today, their starting rotation would have a certain translucent quality.  It is that thin — thinner than it was when their 2007 season ended …

Rangers seeking three areas of need  —  Veteran bullpen help, center fielder and impact bat wanted  —  ARLINGTON — By the time the Rangers assemble in Nashville, Tenn., for baseball's Winter Meetings on Monday, their offseason will be two months old.  —  In that time, nothing has changed.

Moreno frustrated over Cabrera talks  —  Owner says Marlins trying to play Angels vs. Dodgers  —  ANAHEIM — Club owner Arte Moreno made it crystal clear on Wednesday where the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim stand with regard to Florida Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera, the biggest fish in the Major League marketplace.

Rox: Herges, Torrealba deals expected  —  Rockies catcher, Yorvit Torrealba, warms up during batting practice before game four of the World Series.  Torrealba may be nearing a return to Colorado next season.  (THE DENVER POST |  ANDY CROSS)  —  Yorvit Torrealba and Matt Herges returned …

Early Rule 5 Preview  —  Buckle your seatbelts.  This year's Rule 5 draft will likely be more exciting than 2006, thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.  —  Included in the new CBA, which went into effect last October, was an alteration to the Rule 5, giving teams an extra year …

Don't believe those rumors  —  Don't believe the rumors you read and hear that suggest the Brewers might trade for Minnesota closer Joe Nathan or Washington's Chad Cordero, in the wake of losing free agent Francisco Cordero to Cincinnati.  —  General manager Doug Melvin said today it is unlikely …

Cards weigh options at short  —  Properly modifying the Cardinals is as much about timing as it is about money, according to general manager John Mozeliak.  —  His search for a starting shortstop offers an intriguing first example.  —  Three days away from formally extending …