Brewers haven't talked with Dodgers about Sheets  —  Nashville - USA Today reported this morning that the Brewers and Dodgers are talking about a deal that would send right-hander Ben Sheets and centerfielder Bill Hall to Los Angeles in exchange for outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.

Phillies singing a sad song in Nashville  —  Their search for a pitcher is stalled.  "It's been a frustrating few days," Mike Arbuckle said.  —  NASHVILLE - The frustration is evident at the Opryland Hotel.  —  The Phillies desperately need more pitching, but they still can't find any at what they consider a reasonable price.

Nats sign Boone, avoid arbitration with WMP  —  I fell down on pursuing this one, but the Nationals signed infielder Aaron Boone to a one-year, $1 million contract that includes incentives.  —  They also agreed to the aforementioned extension with outfielder Wily Mo Pena …

Could Matsui be on the market?  —  Some Japanese reporters asked Brian Cashman if Hideki Matsui could be traded and he gave them a "no comment."  —  There was a time such a question would have been dismissed.  But Matsui is signed to a reasonable contract ($26 million over the next two seasons) …

Major League Rule 5 Observations  —  Observations and (often irreverent) notes from the major league portion of Thursday's Rule 5 draft.  —  • Lefthander Wesley Wright was the odd man out of the Dodgers 40-man roster crunch, and it was no surprise that he was drafted in the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

Padres set to bring back Bradley  —  Outfielder will receive one-year deal to stay in San Diego  —  NASHVILLE — Who said there are no bargains to be had in free agency?  —  The San Diego Padres apparently have found one, and they didn't have to look very hard to find it.

Mine over matter  —  Beckett not concerned with Santana … NASHVILLE, Tenn. - What would Josh Beckett [stats] think?  —  It's the question that some in baseball circles have brought to light when talking about the potential acquisition of Johan Santana, and the contract extension …

News: Mets select two in Rule V Draft  —  The Mets have selected RHP Steven Register during the Major League Phase of today's Rule V Draft.  —  The 24-year-old Register was drafted by the Rockies in 2004.  —  Last season, in 60 relief appearances for Colorado's Double-A team …

For Now, Yanks Stick With Their Farm Plan  —  Hank Steinbrenner has not attended the winter meetings, but his voice is among the most powerful here.  Absent from the Yankees' media guide a year ago, he is now the final authority on matters related to the marquee team in the major leagues.

D-backs still searching for a starter  —  General manager Byrnes to continue pursuit of Haren, Kuroda  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the D-backs front office headed back to Phoenix on Thursday afternoon, they did so with bags under their eyes from a lack of sleep, but not with a starting pitcher …

Reyes Is Back Home, and Not Going Anywhere  —  Drive along the dusty, pothole-filled road, careful not to strike the roosters or stray dogs, until it dead-ends beside a stone staircase.  Run up the steps, climb over the aqua-colored fence — or, for the less adventurous, slip through an open gate …

A's future may be more clear  —  (12-06) 04:00 PST Nashville — With no deals on the last full day of the winter meetings, A's general manager Billy Beane might have an answer at last to which direction his team is heading.  —  Beane had said since the end of the season that he wasn't sure …

Lefties Johan Santana, Dontrelle Willis are on Mets' radar  —  The Shea faithful may be giving up on Omar Minaya's ability to land Johan Santana.  But the Mets GM isn't giving up on landing the Twins' ace.  And failing that, newly dealt lefty Dontrelle Willis may soon be available.

Eckstein could fill Rox void at second  —  Colorado talks to Loretta, might still turn to in-house candidates  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — David Eckstein, the 2006 World Series Most Valuable Player while with the Cardinals, has emerged as a veteran candidate for the Rockies' second-base opening.