Sports Illustrated, Newsday, and the New York Post are all reporting that Fransisco Rodriguez and the New York Mets are on the same page when it comes to contract talk.

The Mets offered the single season saves leader a contract believed to be worth 3 years at $37 million plus:

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."

According to the Associated Press and ESPN.com, former Yankee Joe Gordon was elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee:

Former second baseman Joe Gordon has been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

The late Gordon was a nine-time All-Star with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. He played on five World Series championship teams and retired in 1950.

Gordon was the only person elected Monday on a ballot of players who began their careers before 1943.

Here's Joe Gordon's lifetime stats, courtesy of Baseball-Almanac:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	GS	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SH	SF	HBP	GIDP	AVG	OBP	SLG
	1,566	5,707	914	1,530	264	52	253	6	975	759	-	702	41	-	29	159	.268	.357	.466

According to MSN's Ken Rosenthal, the Bombers are talking trade with the LA Dodgers, and Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera seem to be the topic of conversation:

As the Dodgers try to resolve their infield, they are again talking to the Yankees about a trade for second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams have resumed their discussions about Cano at the winter meetings, according to one source.

The Dodgers also are interested in Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, and the Yankees likely would want outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching in return.

The Dodgers' interest in Cabrera is a sign that they might not be confident of Andruw Jones making a strong return in 2009. The Dodgers also need to find a match for Juan Pierre, who has requested a trade.

Thanks to an overabundance of catchers in their organization, the Rangers were able to move catcher Gerald Laird to the Tigers in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The move frees up some money for the Rangers, with Laird expected to make around $3 million in salary arbitration.

According to ESPN.com, the Rangers acquired right-handers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo from the Tigers.

Moscoso, 25, was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 21 games at Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie last season. Melo, 17, played in the Dominican Republic's summer league.

The San Fransisco Giants have had a particularly busy week, signing two free agents to help bolster their horrific roster.

The Giants signed Edgar Renteria to a two year deal worth $18.5 million dollars. The short stop, according to ESPN.com, says he feels more comfortable returning to the National League, than he was in the American League.

The Giants also signed reliever Bobby Howry to a one year deal to help bolster the team's bullpen.

Renteria will replace long time great Omar Vizquel at short stop next season.

According to ESPN.com, the White Sox and Braves have worked out a trade that would send Javier Vazquez to the Braves in exchange for three players.

Vazquez, along with reliever Boone Logan, are headed to Atlanta today to complete physicals.

In return, the Braves would be sending Jo-Jo Reyes, Brett Lillibridge, and another prospect, currently not named.

Vazquez, 32, was 12-16 last season for the White Sox with a 4.67 ERA in 33 starts. He struck out 200 batters in 208 1/3 innings.

Logan, a left-handed reliever, was 4-4 with a 5.70 ERA and had a 2-3 record in 55 appearances.

Reyes was 3-11 with a 5.81 ERA last season for the Braves.

Lillibridge (infielder) appeared in 90 games at Triple-A Richmond in the Braves organization. He hit .220 with four home runs and 39 RBIs.

Coming this winter (1.26.09 to be exact) is 2K Sports newest leap into the world of video gaming baseball; "Front Office Manager".

You create a GM in your own likeness and take over a franchise's entire day to day operations; scouting, signing, trading, and budget details. Here's a quick peak:

Looks like Houston has taken a big risk for their rotation next season, signing free agent lefty Mike Hampton to a one year deal.

The deal is approved with the condition of Hampton passing a physical.

Hampton is only the second free agent to sign a deal in what's been a quiet offseason.

According to ESPN.com and the Elias Sports Bureau, Hampton failed to qualify as a type A or type B free agent, therefor Atlanta does not receive a compensation pick from Houston in next year's amateur draft.