Angels expect to make offer to Mark Teixeira soon  —  General Manager Tony Reagins says the club might submit a bid and ask for a prompt response ‘over the course of the next couple of weeks.’  —  The Angels started and finished negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero within 48 hours.

Greg Maddux adds to record with 18th Gold Glove  —  NEW YORK — Age is no issue for Greg Maddux when it comes to fielding his position.  The 42-year-old pitcher won his record 18th Gold Glove on Wednesday while outfielder Shane Victorino of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies …

Morning at the St. Regis - and rumors keep popping up  —  Before heading into another mass meeting, baseball GMs and their assistants talked about rumors in the same way fans do - all wondering which were true and where some came from.  —  Among those floating here this morning:

Not so fast on Jason Varitek  —  Agent Scott Boras uses Jorge Posada deal as catcher's benchmark  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - If the Red Sox [team stats] were entertaining thoughts that their efforts to re-sign free agent catcher Jason Varitek [stats] were going to be easy, they learned otherwise yesterday.

Yankees open discussions with Sabathia's agent  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - The Yankees have taken the next logical step in their pursuit of CC Sabathia.  They met on Monday with the representatives of the free-agent lefthander here at the general managers' meetings.

Dessens files for free agency  —  Journeyman righty had tough tenure with Braves in 2008  —  ATLANTA — Elmer Dessens' latest attempt to prove he can still pitch in the Majors was disappointing.  But the veteran right-hander, who essentially remained idle throughout September with the Braves …

Baltimore Orioles  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Sox interested in Japan hurlers  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - The Red Sox have strong interest in a pair of Japanese righthanders, but general manager Theo Epstein would not comment on the extent of it, saying international negotiations are confidential.  —  The Sox are heavily involved …

Dodgers Decline Option on Penny  —  The Dodgers declined the $9.25 million option for 2009 on pitcher Brad Penny and paid him a $2 million buyout, allowing the 30-year-old right-hander to become a free agent.  After winning 16 games in both 2006 and 2007, Penny went 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 2008 …

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.

Burnett leaves $24-million on table  —  Pitcher opts out of Blue Jays contract to become free agent  —  Now that A.J. Burnett has taken the first step toward divorcing himself from the Toronto Blue Jays, it is left to general manager J.P. Ricciardi to try to pick up the pieces of what was once a formidable pitching staff.

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 …