Mets meet with Francisco Rodriguez

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Baseball’s annual winter meetings don’t officially begin until Monday morning but some clubs are already at work.

The New York Mets, with money to spend and a hole at the back of their bullpen, met Sunday with Angels record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez, who is a free agent.

But left-handed reliever Darren Oliver will be returning to Anaheim after accepting the club’s offer of salary arbitration. As expected, the Dodgers’ three big free agents, outfielder Manny Ramirez, pitcher Derek Lowe and third baseman Casey Blake, did not accept salary arbitration. The Dodgers will receive two draft picks if another team signs Ramirez or Lowe and one draft choice if they lose Blake.

-- Kevin Baxter