Mets pick up Delgado's option  —  First baseman under New York's control in '09 for $12 million  —  NEW YORK — The Mets have taken a procedural step that four months ago appeared to be beyond improbable and one month ago seemed to be a foregone conclusion: They have exercised their option on the contract of Carlos Delgado.

ABREU, PEREZ BECOME FREE AGENTS  —  Bobby Abreu took the first step toward possibly leaving The Bronx yesterday when the Yankees' right fielder and third-place hitter filed for free agency.  —  The Yankees have discussed internally about retaining the left-handed hitter who will be 35 …

Tim Wakefield set to return  —  Sox to exercise option  —  Tim Wakefield spent the last 14 seasons with the Red Sox [team stats].  Today, the Sox are expected to officially invite him back for a 15th year.  —  Wakefield recently completed an end-of-year physical and MRI …

Vazquez has role as Sox trade bait  —  Right-hander Javier Vazquez had stood by his locker during the final days of the White Sox' postseason collapse, answering the same question over and over again without a hint of emotion or a sign of hesitation.  —  Did he want to be traded?  —  “No,” Vazquez said.

Cards act quickly to bring back LaRue  —  Backup catcher re-signs a day after filing for free agency  —  ST. LOUIS — Jason LaRue's time on the open market lasted barely 24 hours.  —  A day after filing for free agency, LaRue re-signed with St. Louis.  The catcher inked a one-year deal …

Expect Blanco back with Cubs in 2009  —  Although the Cubs on Friday declined to exercise Henry Blanco's $3 million contract option for 2009, the team anticipates re-signing the backup catcher as a free agent for a lower guaranteed salary.  —  Blanco, who turns 38 next summer …

Starting pitching targeted at GM summit  —  Rangers draw from abundance of catchers for possible deal  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers will explore two specific avenues of trades when Major League general mangers hold their annual meetings Monday-Thursday in Dana Point, Calif., next week.

Brewers prepare offer for Sabathia  —  Deal to be presented Friday; Sheets one of five to test market  —  MILWAUKEE — Five Brewers formally filed for free agency on Thursday as the team prepared a first offer for one who did not.  —  General manager Doug Melvin planned to submit …

End of year means Baldelli a free agent  —  Outfielder thanks Rays for sticking with him during illness  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Rocco Baldelli is a free agent now that the season is over, and on Thursday afternoon, the veteran outfielder said he did not know what to expect heading into the offseason.

Omar Minaya gears up for busy winter, inks Fernando Tatis  —  With the World Series finally out of the way, GM Omar Minaya officially can get to work retooling the Mets to compete with the world champion Phillies.  He has his work cut out.  —  Minaya's first order of business came Thursday …

65 file on first day of free agency  —  Manny, Sheets, Teixeira biggest names to test early market  —  All-Stars Manny Ramirez, Ryan Dempster, Ben Sheets, Milton Bradley, Jason Varitek and Joe Crede were among the 65 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first day of MLB's 15-day filing period for eligible players.

It's never too early to start looking at 2009 Phillies season  —  The offseason technically began the moment Eric Hinske swung and missed.  —  For those who root, root, root for the Phillies, that means a hearty celebration that will gradually give way to a gentle afterglow that should warm …

Mets face harsh reality with Phillies' win  —  Rivalry grows with World Series championship in Philadelphia  —  NEW YORK — It was the morning after the night before, and echoes from downtown Philadelphia still were audible — even in Kansas.  Mike Pelfrey heard them Thursday, he considered the source and said, “OK, good for them.”