MLB winter meetings: Veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte to return in 2010, sources say  —  INDIANAPOLIS — The first step is complete for free agent left-hander Andy Pettitte's return to the world champion New York Yankees next season as they seek to repeat.  —  Pettitte

Mets GM Omar Minaya needs to focus on real issues at winter meetings, like dumping Luis Castillo  —  Oh, Omar.  The Mets re-signed Alex Cora for $2 million, but now the GM has big issues to handle at the winter meetings.  —  Backup infielder?  Check.  The Mets have re-signed Alex Cora for $2 million, with a vesting option for 2011.

Omar hits Indy  —  Omar Minaya arrived at the Winter Meetings at 9 p.m. on Sunday night and gave a brief interview on his way to his hotel room.  Here's what he said ...  What's your feeling coming into the meetings?  Do you have the expectation of getting a lot of things done?

Nationals Acquire Brian Bruney  —  The Nationals acquired reliever Brian Bruney from the Yankees for a player to be named later, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Bruney, who is arbitration-eligible, is due a small raise on this year's $1.25MM salary.  He's under team control through 2011.

Brian Bruney Braves Rumor  —  George A. King III of the New York Post talked to an official from a team interested in Yankees reliever Brian Bruney, and was told, “We asked about him but hear he is going to the Braves.”  The Braves would seem an odd match for Bruney, who is arbitration-eligible …