BASEBALL Trades under way as league's brass conduct business

The Yankees are sure to make a pitch for Boston's Pedro Martinez.
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) -- Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano might all wind up pitching in new places next season, possibly in pinstripes.
And longtime New York lefty John Franco could get a job offer, too -- one that would leave him in the Mets' bullpen, just in a different role.
This is the week of the annual general managers' meetings, and quickly, the baseball folks got down to business.
In the first trade of the off-season, San Diego sent outfielder Terrence Long and pitcher Dennis Tankersley to Kansas City for pitchers Darrell May and Ryan Bukvich.
Franchise active
Also, the Montreal Expos -- still operating under that name, but expected to become the Washington Nationals real soon -- cut reliever Rocky Biddle. Count the San Francisco Giants among the teams that came to Florida looking for a closer.
Beaten in the playoffs by the eventual World Series champion Red Sox, the Yankees are sure to make a pitch for Martinez, Johnson and Pavano. Boston also is thinking about Pavano, 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA with Florida last season and possibly now out of the Marlins' financial range.
The New York Mets might have an interesting offer for Franco.
"He's someone we're interested in interviewing to be our bullpen coach," GM Omar Minaya said.
Franco, 44, was 2-7 with a 5.28 ERA in 52 games last season. He's aware the Mets might want him to coach, though he'd like to pitch a little longer.
Other items
Besides deals, there are other things to talk about during these five days. There will be a discussion about moving the July 31 trade deadline, and the topic of instant replay also was listed on the agenda.
"I think people want to see that the umpires get it right," said Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations. "I think the postseason proved they could do it without instant replay."
Plus, there might be a debate about post-series hugs and handshakes, such as what took place between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers after their first-round NL matchup. Fact is, a lot of old school executives didn't like it too much.
Along with the GMs, there was at least one prime player in town. Scott Boras, who represents free agents Carlos Beltran, Adrian Beltre, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, Magglio Ordonez, J.D. Drew and Kevin Millwood, breezed through the lobby.
"I'm late for another meeting," he said.
Meeting meaning
Traditionally, the GM gathering serves as a precursor for the winter meetings, to be held Dec. 10-13 in Anaheim, Calif.
"This is where you can lay the groundwork," Atlanta GM John Schuerholz said. "I don't think you'll see a lot of action here because there are too many dynamic free agents still out there."
Carlos Delgado, Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Glaus and Martinez are among the elite players eligible. Only their former teams can talk money with free agents until Friday. Just to be sure, baseball sent out a two-page memo to clubs last week reminding them no collusion is allowed on offers.
The Yankees figure to make an impact sometime before opening day. That could mean trying to lure Martinez away from the Red Sox and perhaps making a trade to get Johnson from Arizona.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he'd spoken to most teams before flying south, with talks in the initial stages.
"The way these winters have gone, things don't move too swiftly," he said.
Before tinkering with the roster, the Yankees might solidify their coaching staff. Don Mattingly plans to return and it looks as if pitching guru Mel Stottlemyre might also be back. Former big league reliever Neil Allen could become their bullpen coach and Joe Girardi would become the bench coach, taking over for new Mets manager Willie Randolph.
Sosa speculation
Speculation kept swirling about a blockbuster trade that would send Sammy Sosa from the Chicago Cubs to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Shawn Green in a swap of big hitters.
But Sosa's contract is complex, and his agent did not foresee the slugger going anywhere.
"I just think it's unlikely," Adam Katz said. "There are too many intricacies involved. And besides that, no one has called me. No one. I think I would've heard by now."