Josh Hamilton meets with Mariners  —  Two weeks ago, Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik downplayed the possibility of the Mariners signing free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton, telling MLB.com, “You have to be realistic about how you're going to allocate your dollars.”

Dodgers check into acquiring Dickey  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Dodgers have talked to the Mets about a trade for National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, according to a baseball source.  —  Dickey not only would be a fallback if the Dodgers can't sign No. 1 target Zack Greinke …

Latest on OF Market: Jason Kubel drawing heavy trade interest  —  The Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Rangers, Rays and Mariners could all be in on a trade for Diamondbacks OF Jason Kubel (FOX Sports).  —  Speaking of the D-Backs, they met with the Mariners on Monday night, possibly to discuss Justin Upton (CBS Sports).

Source: Giants return Pagan with four-year deal  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Giants appeared poised Monday to re-sign Angel Pagan, their leadoff hitter and center fielder who commanded ample attention as a free agent.  —  A Giants official said that a deal was done, pending the required physical examination.

Espinosa not bothered by trade speculation  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa said Monday night that he is not bothered by the trade rumors that have him linked to the Rays.  —  Espinosa understands the Nationals are looking to get even better after winning their first National League East title.

Agent: Ricky Nolasco wants out  —  NASHVILLE — Pitcher Ricky Nolasco, the highest-paid player left on the Miami Marlins' roster after a series of moves that have gutted the team's payroll, wants to be traded, his agent told ESPN Monday.  —  Agent Matt Sosnick said that Nolasco reached …

Agent: Youkilis' options still open  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Much of the early buzz around the winter meetings involved the impact Alex Rodriguez's hip tear will have on the third base market.  —  But Joe Bick, the agent of Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis …

A's in talks regarding shortstop Escobar  —  The A's were interested in Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar before the trade deadline.  He was shipped to Miami, and he might be available again.  Photo: Abelimages, Getty Images / SF  —  Nashville —  The A's came to the winter meetings …

Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is going to play for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.  —  Cabrera was among the first 32 players — 12 major leaguers — to commit to playing in the tournament that begins March 2 with games hosted by two-time defending champion Japan and Taiwan.

Sources: Unlikely replay ready for Opening Day … NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It's been only a month and a half since commissioner Bud Selig told the Los Angeles Times that baseball will expand its use of replay “for sure” by next season.  But the sport has made so little headway since, it's not so “for sure” anymore.

Rangers To Sign Joakim Soria  —  Despite ranking as one of the best closers in baseball from 2007-10, Joakim Soria will try his hand at setting up Joe Nathan in 2013.  Soria, 28, agreed to a two-year deal with the Rangers today, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  The deal is worth $8MM, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.