Mets talk to pitcher Derek Lowe

With Mark Teixeira finally signed, agent Scott Boras can move on to getting deals for his other clients, and Derek Lowe Mets' top target among starting pitchers all along, and a club source said Tuesday that GM Omar Minaya is far enough along in negotiations for the righthander that a conclusion could be reached "between Christmas and New Year's."

Meanwhile, a club source said the Mets still are not likely to pursue Manny Ramirez, even if he seems to have precious few pursuers now that theYankees have Teixeira and the Angels are telling people they won't sign him. Continue