Rangers boost offer, stay in the Cliff Lee game  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The end didn't arrive Thursday for the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of free agent Cliff Lee, as some club officials had expected it would.  —  Instead, there is renewed optimism that they have made the left-hander's decision …

Recap: Sandy Alderson Conf.  Call with Bloggers  —  Tonight on a conference call with Mets bloggers, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said the team has identified the final coaching staff, but, due to some administrative issues, he will make the formal announcement either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Angels Reach Agreement With Scott Downs  —  The Angels have agreed to terms on a three-year, $15MM contract with Scott Downs.  Peter Gammons was the first to report the numbers of the deal, while FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal adds that the deal is pending a physical and Downs can earn …

On the Mets beat  —  Winter Meetings Post-Mortem: Alderson, Reyes and Boof  —  Just a few finishing thoughts on the Mets' week at the winter meetings:  — Being in Orlando, I missed the talk-radio outrage over the Mets' relative inactivity at the winter meetings.

Could Gregg unseat Koji as O's closer?  —  The Orioles made a two-year offer worth between $8 to $10 million to free agent Kevin Gregg at this week's winter meetings.  As far as I know, the two sides remain in negotiations and the Orioles still think they have a shot at Gregg …

Nationals still in on Carl Pavano  —  While the Nationals would be reluctant to offer free agent starting pitcher Carl Pavano a multiple-year contract, they remain in touch with agent Tom O'Connell.  General Manager Mike Rizzo spoke with O'Connell yesterday before leaving the winter meetings.

Orioles To Re-Sign Cesar Izturis, Not Nick Green  —  6:52pm: The Orioles say that Green has not agreed to a contract, tweets Connolly.  —  4:35pm: The Orioles have re-signed Cesar Izturis to a one-year deal worth $1.5MM, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links).

Hall of Fame pitcher born 30,000 days ago . . .  Happy “anniversary” (of a sorts) to Yankees legend Whitey Ford.  Today marks 30,000 days since his birth.  —  By and large, Yankee legends don't live that long.  Ford is 82 years and almost two months.  —  He's seventh all-time in franchise WAR, with 55.3.

A very different Colby Rasmus coming in 2011  —  The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly remaking Colby Rasmus into a 175-pound opposite-field slash-and-run hitter.  —  Last time, I presented a potential batting order for the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals based on the manager's comments, past behavior and of course, supposition.

The New York Mets and the curse of Santa Claus  —  Beware, Mets fans: the team revealed Tuesday that David Wright will play the role of Santa Claus at next Tuesday's holiday party, one of the club's most popular annual charitable endeavors.  But like an action shot on the cover of Sports Illustrated …

Source: Reds, Jay Bruce agree to deal  —  The Cincinnati Reds have reached agreement on a six-year, guaranteed $51 million contract with outfielder Jay Bruce, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  Bruce  —  The deal includes a club option for a seventh year that could bring the overall value …

Nats trying to foster good will in D.C.  —  Jayson Werth is one of three big contracts the Nats have ponied up for over the past year.  —  Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer.  He is in his 35th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America …

Potent lineup back to future  —  With Dunn addition, Sox could have power group much like their 2008 AL Central champs  —  White Sox introduce new slugger Adam Dunn at U.S. Cellular Field.  (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / December 3, 2010)  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Now that the White Sox …