Alejo brought back as strength coach  —  First stint of nine years with A's ended with hire by Giambi  —  OAKLAND — Bob Alejo, best known for his ties to former A's slugger and current free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi, was hired Tuesday for a second tour of duty as Oakland's strength and conditioning coach.

Notebook: Busy Boras holds the cards  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - Scott Boras arrived in the St. Regis lobby around midday Tuesday, and well, it's best we just itemize the various pitches, agendas, trends and such.  Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira are this winter's towering clients …

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.

Peavy Deal Could Come Down to Location, Location, Location  —  The agent for pitcher Jake Peavy tried on Tuesday to soften comments made a day earlier by Kevin Towers, the San Diego Padres' general manager, who said the Yankees were among the teams to whom Peavy would accept a trade.

Florida Marlins talk to Rangers about catcher Max Ramirez  —  At a meeting of general managers, the Marlins have talked to Texas about getting catcher Max Ramirez in exchange for young pitching.  —  CSPENCER@MIAMIHERALD.COM  —  DANA POINT, Calif. — The Marlins have spoken to the Texas Rangers …

GM meetings produce lots of rumors involving Royals — but only rumors  —  Let's put the disclaimer up front before touching on some of the rumors and chatter circulating this week at the St. Regis Resort as baseball's 30 general managers hold their annual meetings.  —  Most rumors, even when valid, don't lead to anything.

Marlins unveil new park's dimensions  —  Outfield to resemble Dolphin Stadium's; site will be pitcher-friendly … MIAMI — Some of the characteristics of the old stadium will be incorporated into the Marlins' new ballpark.  —  Specifically, the field dimensions.

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.

An Open Letter to Larry Lucchino - from a Grounds Crew Member  —  The Red Sox have a problem with how they treat some of their people.  I'm writing so you're aware of the problem.  —  Let me start off by saying that I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan - an admirer of the success you and the Red Sox management have brought to the team.

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?

2009 Mariners: Players of interest  —  DANA POINT, Calif. — Jack Zduriencik was making small talk with some Seattle reporters Monday, and he earnestly promised, “I'll never tell you how to do your job.”  —  Unfortunately, much as I appreciated the sentiment, I couldn't reciprocate.

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 man himself today when Church told mlb.com …

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 …

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.