Santana talks with Red Sox heat up again  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Boston Red Sox reaffirmed their status as the favorites to acquire Johan Santana as the team's top executives Wednesday evening warmed to the idea of trading for the Minnesota Twins ace mere hours after questioning the merits of the deal …

Brewers ink Riske to three-year deal  —  Right-handed reliever could be in the mix to be team's closer  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Over the next five days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, new Brewers right-hander David Riske has plenty to celebrate.  —  While Riske and his family began a vacation …

Cards continue search for starters  —  Club unlikely to make deal before end of Winter Meetings  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After spending two days evaluating trade possibilities, the Cardinals turned their focus to the free-agent market at baseball's annual Winter Meetings on Wednesday.

Cubs turn focus to Roberts  —  After they were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Kazuo Matsui, the Cubs have turned their attention to Baltimore's All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts.  —  Roberts hit .290 with 12 homers, 57 RBIs and a .377 on-base percentage during the 2007 season.

Santana/Reyes/Haren Rumor Quashed  —  UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:45pm: Billy Beane, who rarely comments on trade rumors, actually went out of his way to call mine below a "total fabrication."  I guess I should be proud, right?  I was the subject of an elaborate hoax/impersonated sportswriter (thanks, Fake John Delcos!).

Obstacles to Bedard trade  —  Clubs line up to bid on Baltimore's stud left-hander  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Teams are starting to salivate over the prospect of trading for Orioles ace Erik Bedard, who has wisely refused to sign Baltimore's three-year offer to remain with baseball's messiest organization.

Rangers acquire Shelton from Tigers  —  Texas deals Guzman to Detroit for righty-hitting first baseman  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rangers are leaving the Winter Meetings with at least one first baseman in their pocket, acquiring rigtt-handed-hitting Chris Shelton from the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

BBWAA takes stand on bonuses  —  Issues resolution to disqualify players who profit from awards  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A resolution passed Wednesday morning by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America to disqualify from its awards players who would profit from them is drawing mixed reactions at the Winter Meetings.

Yankees reach out to relievers  —  Offer to lefty Mahay in works; agent for Vizcaino contacted  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Backing away from the blockbuster neighborhood at the Winter Meetings, the Yankees hope to at least upgrade part of their bullpen before checking out.

Marlins latest sale not a good sign  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The first blockbuster trade of the 2007 Winter Meetings is done.  —  Said blockbuster has third baseman Miguel Cabrera and lefty Dontrelle Willis going from the Florida Marlins to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for lefty Andrew Miller …

Sources: HGH suspension in works for Jose Guillen  —  The Major League Baseball Players Association is negotiating with MLB officials on a possible 10- to 15-day suspension for outfielder Jose Guillen for his reported involvement in the purchase of steroids and human growth hormone …

Dodgers, Jones reach an agreement  —  Deal calls for two years and $36 million, per a baseball official  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Dodgers landed the bat they've been seeking, reaching agreement on Wednesday night with free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones on a two-year, $36 million contract, according to a baseball official.

Dontrelle to the Mets?  No, that's not happening  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — How rumors get out of hand:  —  While they were negotiating the Miguel Cabrera-Dontrelle Willis trade with Florida, it appears that the Tigers did briefly consider turning it into a three-way deal in which Willis …

Ten weeks until the four magic words....  Almost all of the Braves' moves have already been made, and we still have 10 weeks left until we head toward Dark Star and the most splendid four-word phrase: Pitchers and catchers report.  —  Ten weeks to pick apart, praise, criticize, bitch, moan and project.