Santana passes his physical  —  Mets to announce deal at 4:30 p.m. ET news conference  —  NEW YORK — Johan Santana was left on the Mets' doorstep on Tuesday by a trade and nudged closer on Friday, when he agreed to a $137.5 million contract extension and approved the trade, and he is now past the threshold.

Mets agree to deal with pitcher Sosa  —  Organization continues to avoid going to arbitration hearings  —  NEW YORK — With so much of their attention focused on Johan Santana, the Mets still were able to negotiate a contract with another player on Saturday.

Padres close in on deal with Greene  —  Two-year deal for reported $11 million would avoid arbitration  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres are close to reaching an agreement on a contract with shortstop Khalil Greene.  —  A baseball source said Saturday that the Padres are nearing a contract with Greene on a two-year contract.

Lefty Perez hopes to catch on with Phils  —  Veteran hurler tried out for club in Dominican on Saturday  —  Pitcher Odalis Perez was found in the stands at the Caribbean Series in Santiago on Saturday and next could be spotted in a Major League uniform.  —  Perez, 30, had a tryout …

Rauch, Nationals agree to contract  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Reliever Jon Rauch and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $3.2 million, two-year contract Saturday, avoiding arbitration.  —  The right-hander will make $1.2 million in 2008 and $2 million in 2009.

Twins are building a contender — for 2010  —  Minnesota has a nice collection of young players who could turn into stars.  But that won't happen for a couple of years.  —  This is the year to expect big things from the Twins.  —  This is the year Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer …

Kinsler, Rangers talk about long-term deal  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler hopes he and the club can come to an agreement on a new, long-term contract.  —  There's still work to be done in getting there.  —  “It's a matter of coming to an agreement and trying to reach the right number …

Pirates, Sanchez close to agreement on three-year deal  —  Burnett taken off roster but likely to stay in system  —  The Pirates and Freddy Sanchez are close to agreement on a three-year contract and could have a deal early next week.  —  Such a contract would allow the team …

Sean Casey a Sox!  —  I heard yesterday that we signed Sean Casey.  To have someone of his talent come here as a potential platoon player and role filler is huge.  —  I've known Sean and competed against him for a long time.  I think he's gotten the best of me more than I on him.

PECOTA's Back  —  Just a very quick note: the 2008 PECOTA weighted means spreadsheets are available for download here.  We've already run almost 1,900 forecasts, including (for the first time) players selected in last June's amateur draft.  —  The PECOTA cards themselves are still …

Yankees Spring Training quick hits  —  2007 record  —  Projected batting order  —  1. LF Johnny Damon:  —  .270 BA, .351 OBP, .396 SLG, 12 HRs, 63 RBIs in 2007  —  2. SS Derek Jeter:  —  .322 BA, .388 OBP, .452 SLG, 12 HRs, 73 RBIs in 2007  —  3. RF Bobby Abreu:

Stark's Latest  —  Another round of odds ‘n’ ends from Jayson Stark.  — 150 players as of Friday morning can still call themselves free-agents.  Sean Casey as a catcher?  Morgan Ensberg working at Home Depot?  Both have recently signed, but there are some desperate players out there now that the calendar's turned to February.

AP INTERVIEW: Red Sox manager glad Santana headed out of AL  —  BOSTON—Terry Francona sat in Fenway Park's quiet visitors clubhouse, a room where Johan Santana won't be sitting unless the Red Sox and Mets meet in the World Series.  —  No wonder Boston's skipper smiled.