GMs' meetings: The Yankees met yesterday with CC Sabathia's agents  —  Not a shocker, but the next step: Two of Sabathia's agents, Greg Genske and Brian Peters - Scott Parker also works with LS Legacy Sports Group - said that the Yankees were one of several teams with whom they met yesterday.

YANKEES SET TO FINALIZE STAFF  —  PENA TO JOIN GIRARDI AS BENCH COACH  —  The Yankees are set to finalize their coaching staff with the slight surprise that Tony Pena is going to become Joe Girardi's bench coach, The Post has learned.  —  The moves were not finalized …

Braves serious about Japanese pitcher  —  Dana Point, Calif. — While Braves officials continue their pursuit of Jake Peavy, they're also moving forward on other pitching fronts.  Namely one on the other side of the Pacific Rim.  —  I'm told the Braves have already offered a major league contract …

Padres narrow field for Jake Peavy trade talks  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - The San Diego Padres have narrowed the field of suitors for ace pitcher Jake Peavy, focusing on three National League teams.  —  Peavy has $63 million in guaranteed money remaining on his deal, which runs through 2012 and contains a club option for 2013.

More surgery for Carpenter  —  Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  DANA POINT, Calif. — Chris Carpenter's long road back encountered another hairpin curve Tuesday when the Cardinals' ace and 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner required surgery to relocate a nerve near his surgically repaired right elbow.

Mets to build around core players  —  The Mets don't have the kind of money everyone thinks, especially having to pay Billy Wagner $10M next season.  They will spend to get a starter, a reliever and a bat to supplement Ryan Church in right and the Daniel Murphy/Fernando Tatis platoon in left.

White Sox GM Ken Williams wants more team speed; Javier Vazquez and Nick Swisher trade bait  —  Williams' wish list: Upgrade speed, find takers for veterans  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - Could the White Sox trade Javier Vazquez and Nick Swisher, their two biggest disappointments last season?

Church is no fan of Francesa  —  We knew all along (and from personal experience) that Mike Francesa's talk-radio blather last month about Mets right fielder Ryan Church hating it in New York was a bunch of nonsense.  —  Well, that was confirmed from the source today when Church told mlb.com …

Pettitte: Bring me back, y'all  —  Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in ...  Andy Pettitte told a Houston television station that he wants to return to the Yankees in 2009.  “I'd like to play again,” he said.  “My thoughts are there.”  —  This comes as no surprise, as Pettitte said much the same during the season.

Pirates announce season ticket pricing for 2009 season  —  Club introduces four new value-priced full season plans and extended payment plan  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today a series of fan-friendly initiatives for their season ticket holders in 2009.

Phillies let third-base coach go  —  Smith had been with organization for two seasons  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel made his first and only change to his staff in two seasons, when he opted not to bring back third-base coach Steve Smith.