Winter Meetings Report 1 - Day 2

- The New York Mets are reportedly closing in on a three-year deal for free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez.

Sports Illustrated, the New York Post and Newsday reported that the team has offered K-Rod a three-year deal. It is a one-year increase over the two years and $24 million the team is said to have initially offered Rodriguez, who broke the major league single-season saves record last season with 62.

Sports Illustrated and Newsday reported that the deal is worth about $37 million. "It's going to get done,'' a person familiar with the talks said, according to SI.com.

Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said, "I am more optimistic than I have ever been" about finalizing a deal between K-Rod and the Mets, according to the Post. "We will know more in the next 24 hours, but so far everything has been positive."

FoxSports.com previously had reported that the Mets had offered Rodriguez a third year.

The Mets, whose bullpen was a major culprit in the team's September collapse, are in need of a front-line closer to replace the injured Billy Wagner, who likely will miss all of 2009 following elbow surgery.

The contract would pay Rodriguez about $3 million more than he was offered by the Los Angeles Angels in spring training and $6 million less than Wagner's deal with the Mets, according to SI.com.

- WFAN's Sweeney Murti says the Braves are in serious discussions with the White Sox regarding Jermaine Dye.

It had been previously reported that the Braves had interest, so this is believable. Obviously, a Dye acquisition would clear the way for the Braves to trade Jeff Francoeur to the Royals for Zack Greinke, Joakim Soria and 1,000,000 shares of Walmart stock.

- Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune writes that it would "be a stunner" if the Cubs don't acquire Jake Peavy by the end of this week's winter meetings.

A four-team deal could be in the works with Peavy heading to Chicago, Mark DeRosa to Philadelphia, and Felix Pie to Baltimore. The Padres would receive Garrett Olson, J.A. Happ and Sean Marshall. The Cubs would also like to unload Jason Marquis and some of his $9.5 million 2009 salary on either the Orioles or Phillies. It seems like an excellent deal for the Cubs, who would open the '09 season with a rotation of Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden and Ted Lilly.

- The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to announce the signings of Casey Blake and Mark Loretta on Tuesday.

Blake has agreed to a three-year deal worth slightly more than $17.1 million. It's believed the Minnesota Twins had offered him a two-year contract in the neighborhood of $14 million.

Loretta has agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal. He figures to be the Dodgers' primary backup at all four infield positions.


- Yahoo's Tim Brown talked to an AL exec whose team is in the market for a shortstop, and learned that the Rangers are quietly shopping Michael Young. Young's five-year, $80MM extension will begin next year. He's got no-trade protection to deal with. The Rangers would want young pitching back for Young. It will be hard to find a team willing to take on that contract.

SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals inquired on Young. He says the Rangers are not shopping Young but will listen. The Mets might have to move Luis Castillo before they could slot Young in at second base.

- Joel Sherman says the "Blue Jays have now acknowledged there is almost no way Burnett is returning," which J.P. Ricciardi pretty much said publicly a few days ago. Sherman notes that they hope to sign Carl Pavano to a minor league deal.

- Young is not as pricey as we thought - Ken Rosenthal says he's already been paid $20MM in bonus money from his new deal, leaving $60MM or so over five years (Heyman said something similar). But, Rosenthal says the Rangers are unlikely to seriously consider trading him.

- According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the Yankees are preparing an offer for Ben Sheets to be made within 72 hours. Feinsand believes it will be in the two-year, $26MM range.

- The Dodgers have made re-signing Furcal their top priority, says Tom Verducci.

Though Furcal reportedly rejected an Oakland offer of four years for $35-40MM, GM Billy Beane would not say his pursuit is over.

- According to Ken Rosenthal, the Giants intend to meet with C.C. Sabathia, perhaps in San Francisco this weekend. They weren't able to get together while Sabathia was in Vegas.

- Yahoo's Gordon Edes surveyed several club officials, and they believe the Red Sox will sign Mark Teixeira. They have the money and a strong relationship with Scott Boras. However, the Yankees are heavily interested even if they've yet to make an offer. And the Angels are said to be "desperate" to retain Tex. As far as we know, no one's made an offer. Edes sees the Orioles and Nationals on the periphery, though both clubs are serious about Teixeira.