Ichiro, Hunter win ninth Gold Gloves  —  Jeter returns to winning award for first time since 2006  —  The American League Gold Glove winners, unveiled on Tuesday, showcase the cream of the league's defensive excellence, the ooh-and-aah squad.  —  The dive-and-spin, dirty-uniform parade began …

Mets hope Santana strategy will work with Halladay  —  The Mets' farm system is mediocre at best, but then again, it wasn't very good two years ago, either, and they wound up acquiring Santana from the Twins.  —  CHICAGO - The Mets' farm  —  system is mediocre at best, but then again …

Yankees intend to keep Mitre  —  CHICAGO — The Yankees have until a week from Thursday to pick up Sergio Mitre's $1.25 million option for 2010.  But even if they do not pick up the option, Mitre is arbitration eligible and the Yankees intend to keep him, sources tell The Post.

Kendall may not return to Brewers  —  Melvin hints that prospect Lucroy could catch in 2010  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin made more comments on Tuesday hinting that Jason Kendall won't be back with the Brewers in 2010.  —  For the second time in five days …

Sources: Tigers open to trading All-Star Jackson  —  CHICAGO - Edwin Jackson was an All-Star pitcher for the Tigers this year.  He looked like one of the great acquisitions in baseball for most of the season — a starter who pitched deep into games and wouldn't become a free agent until 2011.

Agent Scott Boras warns New York Yankees, suitors that age not a factor with Johnny Damon  —  CHICAGO - Johnny Damon wants to return to the Yankees, but it remains to be seen whether they want him back - and if they do, how many years they want to commit to the 36-year-old.

Branyan rejects Mariners' one-year offer  —  Slugger wants at least a two-year deal, hopes to be back  —  Free-agent first baseman Russell Branyan has rejected a one-year offer from the Mariners and though he still hopes to return to Seattle next season, he said he would rather test the market …

Mets could have interest in Varitek  —  CHICAGO — Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has until Friday to accept or reject a $3 million player option.  —  Boston rejected its $5 million option and clearly signalled that Victor Martinez will be the starting catcher next season.

Vin Scully on McCourts and other things  —  During the question-and-answer portion of the Newsmaker Luncheon, hosted by the Hollywood Radio & Television Society at the Beverly Wilshire hotel, Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully addressed the situation between Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie McCourt.

Mark McGwire: St. Louis Cardinals working on how they will re-introduce new hitting coach  —  The St. Louis Cardinals are still figuring out how hitting coach Mark McGwire will eventually meet with the media and whether he will end his long silence on questions about his alleged connection to performance-enhancing drugs.

Putting things in perspective: 3B, No. 7 and the GM Meetings  —  Got a text from a friend last night.  Told her I was in Chicago.  She said “awesome.”  And I really can't blame her.  Chicago, after all, is awesome.  Belushi, Second City, Oprah, the Lake, every good-looking Midwestern girl …

Character guys like Alex Cora  —  Adam Rubin wrote today that the Mets hope to re-sign Alex Cora, a player who probably inspires five times as much debate around this office as anyone else.  —  This debate, I should mention, almost always features me.  —  So much was made about what Alex Cora brought …