Winter meetings winners and losers  —  INDIANAPOLIS - The uncertain economy is the ultimate party-pooper, a real spoilsport.  We've all had to acknowledge it on some level.  Baseball did so this week at its annual winter meetings, often a time of frenzied spending on free agents …

About Jamie Hoffmann  —  The Rule 5 draft is a bit of a crapshoot.  The Yankees (essentially) had the first pick in today's draft and took Jamie Hoffmann, a guy who was generating absolutely no media buzz until 15 minutes before the selection.  I talked to another executive who said his team …

For Boras and Damon, it's strictly business with Yanks  —  INDIANAPOLIS - There's a fairly reliable axiom that's stood the test of time with baseball officials.  It goes like this: If one of your players is a Scott Boras client, always remember he's about the money.

Astros reach one-year deal with third baseman Feliz  —  INDIANAPOLIS — Heading to the winter meetings Sunday night, Ed Wade's ability to maneuver while trying to build the 2010 Astros revolved around Jose Valverde.  Once the star closer declined arbitration late Monday night and LaTroy Hawkins bolted …

Sox reach deal to trade Lowell to Rangers  —  The Red Sox have agreed in principle with the Rangers to a trade that will send popular third baseman Mike Lowell to Texas for catcher Max Ramirez, according to a baseball source.  A money issue has also been resolved, the source said.

Sox have a bridge to sell us  —  Fans shouldn't buy this approach  —  Storm the gates of Fenway Park.  Cancel your NESN package.  Stick your head out the window and say, “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!”  —  Do not buy the bill of goods the Red Sox are selling.

Braves trade reliever Soriano to Rays  —  Atlanta to receive righty Chavez; deal is pending physicals  —  INDIANAPOLIS — It appears that Braves general manager Frank Wren will be able to exit this year's Winter Meetings on Thursday without having to spend any more time focusing on trading Rafael Soriano.

Q&A With New Yankee Curtis Granderson  —  We had an opportunity this morning to briefly speak with the newest member of the New York Yankees, outfielder Curtis Granderson.  The loss of Granderson is a big blow to the Tigers.  Detroit fans have been lamenting the trade because not only is Granderson …

Ken Davidoff's baseball insider  —  Yankees, Mets, trade rumors and more MLB musings … Head home today, weather permitting.  It has been an extremely productive week for the Yankees, obviously, and not so much for the Mets.  —  Found out an interesting nugget about the Mets …

Cincinnati confirms Kelly to coach Notre Dame … CINCINNATI — Notre Dame has settled on Brian Kelly as the man who can restore its faded glory, just as he turned Cincinnati into a national title contender.  —  Just 10 days after Charlie Weis was fired, it's up to Kelly to revive the fortunes …

Taiwanese fans miss injured pitcher Wang  —  TAIPEI (Reuters) - A chain of injuries suffered by New York Yankees player Wang Chien-ming has thrust a pair of more obscure Taiwan-born Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers into the limelight as dejected fans in Taiwan seek someone else to support.

Nats act like they belong  —  At the winter meetings this week, the Nats signed a future Hall of Famer as a backup catcher for two years for an above-market price of $6 million.  They also traded for a reliever who throws 97 mph, had a 3.25 ERA over his last four years with the Yankees and just pitched in the World Series.

The Worst Signing Of The Winter  —  I'm one of those people who doesn't really enjoy Saturday Night Live sketches, because to me, the joke is made in the first 15 seconds and then just repeated over and over for the next several minutes.  You drive a Dodge Stratus and you think that makes you important - okay.

Sources: Phils, Angels lead chase for Halladay  —  To ink Harden?  —  • Sources: Brewers agree with Wolf |  Hawkins  —  • Sources: Astros nearing 3-year deal with Lyon

Rule 5 Draft, Pick By Pick  —  RULE 5 DRAFT  —  ROUND ONE  —  Pick  —  Selecting  —  Team  —  Player  —  Original Team  —  The Skinny  —  Physical grinder with big league experience could stick as extra outfielder.  —  No. 2  —  Pirates  —  John Raynor, of  —  Marlins