Yankees could deal for Tigers' Granderson  —  CHICAGO — In a cost-cutting frame of mind, the Tigers have let teams now that Curtis Granderson could be had for the right package, an NL executive told The Post.  —  Granderson would be attractive to many teams, with the Yankees near the top of the list.

Wednesday's buzz from the GM meetings  —  The World Series may still be fresh in your mind, but MLB GMs are already focusing on next season.  Thankfully, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are on the ground in Chicago with all the latest gossip and buzz.  Note: All times listed are ET.  —  Wednesday

Mets Monitoring Safety of Prospect in Venezuela  —  CHICAGO — Amid kidnappings and war rhetoric in Venezuela, the Mets may recommend that the catching prospect Josh Thole return home from his winter league team there.  —  On Tuesday, the former Mets pitcher Victor Zambrano's mother …

Varitek exercises option for 2010  —  Jason Varitek has exercised his $3 million option for 2010.  —  “We're happy to have Jason back and we look forward to a good year from him in 2010,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said.  “He means an awful lot to the organization on and off the field.

Contract showdown looms for New York Yankees as Derek Jeter enters final year of deal  —  CHICAGO - If Brian Cashman thinks he's got his hands full figuring out what to do with free-agent fan favorites Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Andy Pettitte, imagine what he'll face next year when Derek Jeter's contract expires.

Cashman, Yankees aren't thinking about reworking Girardi's contract  —  CHICAGO - Joe Girardi couldn't have more job security spiritually than he does right now as the Yankees' manager.  He led the Yankees to their first World Series title since 2000, and his bosses are thrilled with him.

Fontenot awarded ‘Super Two’ status  —  Cubs infielder lands final spot to file for arbitration  —  Cubs infielder Mike Fontenot was awarded the final arbitration spot for players with between two and three years of major league service, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

3UP: Wang, Matsui and Holliday  —  1. As I wrote in this story, Chien-Ming Wang's agent, Alan Nero, said his client received a “very encouraging” report yesterday from Dr. James Andrews and can begin a throwing program on Dec. 1 and could be available for games post-shoulder surgery as early as mid-April.

O's lay groundwork for offseason  —  MacPhail leaves GM meetings, heads to Ariz. to discuss team's targets  —  Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail left baseball's general manager meetings in Chicago on Wednesday and headed to Arizona, where he will convene …

Inbox: How can Rangers keep Byrd?  —  Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers questions from fans  —  What will it take to get Marlon Byrd back?  Do you think Mike Cameron could be an option?  —  It will likely take a three-year contract from anywhere between $18-24 million to re-sign Byrd.

Yankees will inquire about Halladay … CHICAGO — The world champion Yankees will inquire about superstar pitcher Roy Halladay, setting up a potential bidding competition that didn't exist last summer when now-deposed Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi made it clear he wanted to avoid trading Halladay within the division.

Operation Panda  —  SCOTTSDALE — Pablo Sandoval strips down to his shorts and steps on the scale inside the gym at the Giants' minor-league complex.  It is Wednesday, weigh-in day.  —  “Five pounds!” he says, his face lighting up.  He high-fives Giants conditioning and strength coach Ben Potenziano …