Sox see Yankees outfielder as leadoff man  —  INDIANAPOLIS — White Sox general manager Ken Williams has said it before, and he said it again.  —  “We don't have any money,” Williams said Wednesday during his meeting with the media.  “We're close to our budget right now …

Bay Over Holliday?  Not So Fast.  —  I've come out of the woodwork for a brand new blog, because I've come across some interesting data, and I think it'd be just plain selfish of me not to share it with my Mets brethren.  —  While the media is busy debating whether or not the Mets less …

Chicago White Sox sign reliever J.J. Putz to 1-year deal  —  The White Sox signed relief pitcher J.J. Putz to a one-year, $3 million contract on Friday.  —  Putz can make another $3.25 million in incentives, but that figure is based on him closing games all season.

Phillies boldly raising the bar in NL … INDIANAPOLIS — After Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin just spent $37.25 million to get veteran pitchers Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins, he had an interesting take on what has happened to the level of competition in the National League.

Buzz: Latest Hot Stove news  —  The winer meetings are over, but the news never stops.  Follow along as Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi keep you up to date on the latest buzz.  Note: all times ET.

Sox Will Tender a Contract to Kotchman  —  While there had been some speculation that the Red Sox might choose not to tender a contract to Casey Kotchman by Saturday's deadline to do so, multiple major-league sources say that the Red Sox have absolutely no plans to part ways with the first baseman.

Torrealba, Rockies now $400,000 apart in talks  —  DENVER — Pudge Rodriguez has never played an inning for the Rockies.  Neither has Ramon Hernandez.  But in many ways, they hold the key to Yorvit Torrealba's return to the Rockies.  —  According to information obtained this morning …

The New York Mets Respond To My Letter  —  Last week I sent a letter to Fred Wilpon explaining why I was not going to renew my ticket plan in 2010.  I also copied several members of Mets management and a few members of the media.  (You can read my letter here).

Cubs land Minors righty Mota from Nats  —  Chicago sends cash considerations for Rule 5 Draft pick  —  CHICAGO — The Cubs made a trade Friday, but not the much-publicized one talked about all week at the Winter Meetings.  —  Chicago acquired Minor League right-handed pitcher Arismendy Mota from Washington for cash considerations.

New York Yankees negotiating to re-sign Johnny Damon, sources say  —  The New York Yankees have begun contract negotiations with free agent outfielder Johnny Damon, major league sources tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.  —  If the Yankees are unable to re-sign Damon …