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 shopping for players that Meche  —  INDIANAPOLIS — The Mets intend to check in on the three top free agents — Jason Bay, Matt Holliday and John Lackey — during the Winter Meetings, with the strongest hope that Lackey's price falls into a range to make him their No. 2 starter behind Johan Santana.

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.

Mariners posing serious threat to Angels in Hot Stove season … INDIANAPOLIS — There's something wild happening out West, where the Mariners are establishing themselves a threat to the preeminent Angels — at least in wintertime.  Seattle stole the Angels' igniter Chone Figgins by outbidding …

Nationals Acquire Brian Bruney; Release Saul Rivera  —  12:51pm: The Nationals confirmed the deal via a press release.  They released Saul Rivera to make room for Bruney.  Rivera, 32 today, posted a 6.10 ERA in 38.3 innings for the Nats this year.  Releasing a man on his birthday...for shame!

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 …