Let's try to catch you on some of the top storylines from the first 24+ hours of the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas...

REDS
Mixed Signals on Dye - There have been conflicting reports, but Reds' GM Walt Jocketty said on Monday that no deal had been reached or was anything even remotely close.  “We’re not close to a deal and while we have talked to the White Sox, there hasn’t been anything this month,” Jocketty said. SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Dye trade talks are dead and lists the Rays, Braves, and Reds were among ten teams to to express interest.  He adds that Homer Bailey alone would not have been enough.

With Laird Gone, Reds Looking At Hernandez - The Reds missed out on getting one of Texas' young cathchers as the Rangers sent George Laird to Detroit over the weekend. Now there is talks about sending utilityman to Batlimore for veteran Ramon Hernandez. The deal is contingent on the Orioles eating a portion of Hernandez’s $8 million contract for 2008. If they’d do that, the Reds would send them outfielder-infielder Ryan Freel, according to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News. Hernandez hit .257 last year with 15 homers and 65 RBIs.

Dusty Not Sold On Dickerson in centefield - I found it interesting how the Reds' manager responded to the idea of Chris Dickerson as his everyday centerfielder during his press conference. He indicated that he doesn't feel comfortable heading into the season with him penciled in as the starting center fielder because "his track record and injuries … makes you a little apprehensive."

Weathers Accepts Arbritration - According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, reliever David Weathers accepted the Reds' offer of arbitration. He's Reds property for '09 now, and he'll get a raise beyond this year's $2.75MM salary.

OTHER HEADLINES

• Putz on the block for Mariners - Seattle Times
  
• Four-team deal in the works involving Peavy - Chicago Tribune
  
• Francoeur for Greinke being discussed - Boston Globe
• Mets, K-Rod to do three-year deal - SI.com
• Rangers shop SS Young - Yahoo! Sports
  

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