Move miffs Torres  —  Newly acquired reliever might retire  —  Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said Friday evening that he hoped newly acquired reliever Salomon Torres was not serious when he told a Pittsburgh newspaper that he might retire instead of reporting to the Brewers.

Gagne declines offer of arbitration  —  Decision likely ends right-hander's tenure with Boston  —  BOSTON — Eric Gagne's brief and frustrating run with the Boston Red Sox likely came to an end on Friday night, when the right-handed reliever declined the club's offer of salary arbitration.

Agent: Fukudome's move decision due next week … Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, a hot commodity on baseball's free agent market, plans to make a formal announcement early next week on whether he will remain in Japan in 2008 or pursue offers to play in the United States, his agent said.

Hank Steinbrenner: Door still open for Johan Santana to join Yankees  —  While Hank Steinbrenner acknowledges that he hasn't slammed the door on a potential blockbuster deal for Johan Santana, several possible trade chips the Twins might want are "as close to untouchable as you get," the Yankees' senior vice president said Friday.

Cubs could fit Roberts into plan  —  NASHVILLE — The latest name to crawl across the Cubs' radar screen is Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts, a two-time All-Star who would cost them a couple of top prospects in return.  —  General manager Jim Hendry met Tuesday with former Cubs president …

Marlins start searching for third baseman  —  NASHVILLE — Scott Rolen, Wes Helms and Abraham Nunez were just a few of the names on a wish list posted in the Marlins' suite at the Gaylord Opryland hotel, a rough draft of candidates Florida might target to replace third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Barrett to stay with Pads ... for now  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Free-agent catcher Michael Barrett has accepted the Padres' offer of salary arbitration, but that doesn't mean he will open next season in San Diego.  —  The Padres are exploring trade possibilities for Barrett …

Going, going Gagne  —  The Rangers have announced that they are dropping out of the bidding for free agent Eric Gagne.  While no specific reason was given, Jon Daniels said Thursday he hoped to have closure on some issues quickly.  The Rangers were not willing to give Gagne two guaranteed seasons.

Yankees showing interest in Japanese reliever  —  The Yankees, searching for affordable bullpen help, met with the representative for Japanese free agent Kazuo Fukumori during the winter meetings in Nashville.  —  Alan Nero, Fukumori's agent, told Newsday he met with Yankees assistant general manager Jean Afterman on Wednesday.

A's the hot pick to sign Bonds  —  (12-07) 04:00 PST Nashville — If they had decided to rebuild, the A's wouldn't have a spot for Barry Bonds.  —  However, the club is intact as the winter meetings end, and Oakland is considered the hot pick to sign the free-agent outfielder despite …

Chamberlain Says Prospect of Starting or Pitching Relief is 'Win-Win'  —  Pitcher Joba Chamberlain is reaping the rewards of his sensational first season with the Yankees.  He is doing nothing, or almost nothing.  —  "When the season ended, I took some time off," he said yesterday …

BBWAA rescinds strict resolution  —  Association willing to negotiate on player awards, bonuses  —  Retreating from the hardline it adopted at the recent Winter Meetings, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has decided on a moratorium on its resolution to disqualify from its awards players who can earn bonuses through them.