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 …

Hacker, De La Rosa Added to 40-Man Roster  —  (PR) The New York Yankees announced today they have added left-handed pitcher Wilkin De La Rosa and right-handed pitcher Eric Hacker to the 40-man roster.  —  De La Rosa, 23, was 9-4 with a 2.11 ERA (106.2IP, 72H, 35R, 25ER, 44BB, 125K) …

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 …

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 …

Hank: Yanks mulling all options, including Manny  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Manny Ramirez in pinstripes?  —  Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees will explore all options during the offseason, including the possibility of making an offer to the free-agent slugger.  —  “There's nothing we are not looking at …

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.

The Mike Jacobs Trade  —  Yesterday, the Kansas City Royals acquired Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins for reliever Leo Nunez.  The Marlins, always in cost-cutting mode, weren't particularly interested in taking Jacobs to arbitration this winter, and with a team full of bad defenders …

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 …

Brewers' offer to Sabathia imminent, Melvin says  —  MILWAUKEE — CC Sabathia will soon be receiving a contract offer from the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  “We're prepared to do something with him here very shortly.  He'll probably be getting ready to file for free agency but I don't expect an answer real soon …

SAYONARA TAGUCHI, GORDON  —  Well, that didn't take long.  —  The Phillies came off the field a few minutes ago, and they already have announced that they declined their 2009 club options on outfielder So Taguchi and reliever Tom Gordon.  Neither move is a surprise.

Jays exercise $2.5M option on C Barajas  —  TORONTO (AP)—The Blue Jays exercised a $2.5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas Friday, rewarding the 33-year-old after he batted .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs.  —  Barajas agreed to a one-year deal with Toronto last January after one season …

Rays planning to work on new deal for Baldelli  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays hope to start talks soon on a new contract with right fielder-designated hitter Rocco Baldelli.  —  Baldelli, who hit a solo homer in Game 5 of the World Series, was one of this season's inspirational stories.