Agent: Nationals still pursuing Carl Pavano  —  After twice meeting with Carl Pavano's representative this week, the Nationals “are still in the mix” to sign the veteran right-hander, agent Tom O'Connell said this morning.  Pavano, who will turn 35 in January, arrived yesterday at the winter meetings …

Rangers looking to clear payroll  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  Follow him on Twitter.  —  Jon Paul Morosi  —  This is getting interesting.  —  The Rangers are listening to trade offers …

Cubs Reach Agreement With Carlos Pena  —  Carlos Pena and the Cubs have agreed to terms on a one-year deal believed to be worth $10MM.  —  Pena, 33 next May, saw his average slip below the Mendoza Line in 2010, totaling a line of .196/.325/.407.  While the average and strikeout rate (32.6%) …

Sox have more shopping left  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — After the huge splash that was the Adrian Gonzalez trade, do not be surprised if the Red Sox stand pat through the end of the winter meetings tomorrow, while carefully plotting their next move.  —  What we know is that the Sox …

Mets add DJ Carrasco and Ronny Paulino, but under Sandy Alderson club is viewed as hot-stove joke  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - On the day that a trustee seeking to recover money on behalf of Bernie Madoff's victims sued Fred Wilpon, a National League executive who met with the Mets this week smirked …

Public Sniping in Talks Left Jeter Feeling Angry  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The news conference had just ended.  Television spotlights fell dark, and reporters dispersed.  Derek Jeter still lingered behind a podium, where Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, a general partner of the Yankees, wrapped him in a lengthy embrace.

Sources: Dodgers, Tony Gwynn agree  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms on a new contract with free-agent outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., two sources confirmed Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.  —  The two sides agreed to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports.

Gary Sheffield, Johnny Damon say they'd like to play for Tampa Bay Rays  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Rays are looking for a couple of hitters, and there's a pair of proven veterans looking to join them.  —  Both Johnny Damon and Gary Sheffield said Tuesday night they are interested in signing with the Rays.

Setting the record straight on Hall of Fame vote for Miller … (Editor's note: The following story by Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci is a response to the erroneous report about yesterday's Hall of Fame Expansion Era voting.)  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. …

Sabathia won't opt out  —  Tweet  —  TAMPA — CC Sabathia said whatever Cliff Lee pulls down won't lead to the Yankees' ace exercising an opt out clause in his contract after next year.  —  “It has no effect on me at all,” Sabathia told The Post yesterday when asked if Lee's projected windfall …

Iwakuma's agent says A's were ‘insincere’ with client  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  SENDAI, Japan — The agent for Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma says the Oakland Athletics were insincere after his client was unable to reach an agreement with the major-league team.

Deferred money in Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo's contract  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - It's becoming clear that the Reds are operating with a tight budget.  —  A good portion of Bronson Arroyo's salary for 2011 is deferred.  —  Arroyo was set to make $13 million under the option that the club picked up.

White Sox Reach Agreement With Paul Konerko  —  The White Sox reached an agreement with first baseman Paul Konerko on a three-year deal, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.  The deal is worth $37.5MM, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.  The contract includes deferred money, as outlined by MLB.com's Scott Merkin.