MARKET LOOKS SET TO DELIVER RELIEF TO 'PEN  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - Now is one time the Mets are happy the Yankees have Mariano Rivera.  —  And that the Red Sox have Jonathan Papelbon and the White Sox Bobby Jenks and pretty much every other big-market team has an in-house closing option.

Yankees chances at getting Mike Cameron slim  —  The Yankees have held talks with the Brewers about acquiring centerfielder Mike Cameron, but as the general managers' meetings wrapped up Thursday in Dana Point, Calif., they were not optimistic about landing him.

Bidder pill for fans: No Cuban for Cubs  —  DANA POINT, Calif. — Throw out Sam Zell's idea of selling the Cubs by the end of the year because he still hasn't reached his goal of narrowing the field from five bidders to two.  And sources close to commissioner Bud Selig sounded an alarm …

Minor League Free Agents  —  A total of 561 minor league players were declared free agents on Nov. 6.  Major League Baseball and the players' union negotiated a later minor league free agency declaration date as part of the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Girardi: Moose wants to retire  —  A little bit of news out of the Joe Torre charity event tonight in Manhattan:  —  Joe Girardi revealed for the first time that Mike Mussina told him after the season that he planned to retire.  He has not heard from Moose since.

Rangers exercise 2009 option on infielder Hank Blalock  —  ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers announced today that the organization has exercised its club option on infielder Hank Blalock for the 2009 season.  Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

St. Louis Cardinals in the hunt for Holliday  —  DANA POINT, CALIF. — The Cardinals left a meeting of Major League Baseball general managers Thursday apparently willing to reorder their offseason checklist.  —  After already discussing parlaying an outfield surplus for middle infield help …

Hawkins inks 1-year, $3.5M deal with Houston  —  The Houston Astros have signed right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins to a one-year contract for $3.5 million.  The Astros acquired Hawkins from the New York Yankees on July 30.  The 35-year-old pitcher did not allow a run in his first 22 games.

Boston Red Sox  —  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.

Closer Cordero drawing interest  —  Right-hander rumored to be targeted by handful of clubs  —  WASHINGTON — A week after becoming a free agent, former Nationals closer Chad Cordero is drawing interest from several Major League clubs.  According to a baseball source, the Angels, Mets …

Astros sign Taiwanese closer Lo  —  Young right-hander pitched for national team in Olympics  —  HOUSTON — One year ago, general manager Ed Wade appointed Glen Barker as the Astros' director of Pacific Rim scouting, a brand new position that signaled the club's desire to scour talent …

PEAVY HEADING FOR ...  CONTINUED  —  Yankee GM Brian Cashman had dinner Wednesday night with Scott Boras (the agent picked up the tab), and discussed four clients in particular: Derek Lowe, Mark Teixeira, Oliver Perez and Manny Ramirez.  It is probably in that order that the Yanks have interest.

Opinion: The Value of Chemistry  —  There is an intangible that Omar Minaya has to take into consideration this offseason: Team chemistry.  —  The 2008 Rays had it.  The Red Sox of recent years had it.  In fact, any great dynasty, such as the Yankees, Chicago Bulls, or Dallas Cowboys had it.

Save Oliver Perez!  —  As the Mets assess ways to improve their pitching staff this offseason, Oliver Perez, who has been a mainstay of the starting rotation, is mentioned as one of several options.  But if the Mets are serious about consolidating 2008's gains, they have no choice but to sign Perez …

Future Shock  —  Braves Top 11 Prospects  —  Five-Star Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Two-Star Prospects  —  Just Missed: John Gilmore, 3B; Craig Kimbrell, RHP; Jeff Locke, LHP  —  Ranking Challenges: There was a lot of flip-flopping from top to bottom during the ranking process.