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Dodgers reached agreement with Andruw Jones on a two-year, $36 million contract pending a physical, according to a baseball source.

Joe Torre wasn't able to attend the Winter Meetings because he underwent knee replacement surgery back East. But don't worry, Don Mattingly was here.

Most interesting thing that came out of it was that Jonathan Meloan, the team's top relief pitching prospect, could possibly enter spring training as a starting pitcher and compete for a spot on the team there. Meloan spent September with the team out of the bullpen, but on the day he arrived, announced his interest in eventually starting, something he hadn't done full-time since pitching for the University of Arizona.

In other news, the Dodgers exchanged phone calls with the A's and did speak with the Cardinals, but everything seems to be at a preliminary or no-go stage at this point. "It's a real long shot we leave tomorrow with anything different," Colletti said. "There was a big rush coming in here. The anticipation was greater than the reality." He went on. "We are not an organization without options. We are an organization that is becoming more and more homegrown."

- The Dodgers and A's are expected to meet tonight, presumably to discuss a trade involving Dan Haren and/or Joe Blanton, who the Dodgers took a look at before last season's trading deadline.

- Any potential trade talk about Baltimore's Erik Bedard or Miguel Tejada is only at an early stage. Also, there's this: "I don't have any interest in trading (Jonathan) Broxton," Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said.

- Regarding last year's clubhouse troubles, Colletti said, "I know why it occurred. It's been addressed." Speaking of which, a source today recounted an incident between Jeff Kent and James Loney after a September loss last season that underscores the divide. Loney untucked his jersey after the game in the near-empty dugout, and Kent ordered him to tuck his shirt back in. Loney was in the middle of something and said alright, he'd do it. Kent shook his head and walked off in a huff and later let Loney know how unprofessional the kid was being. It was at the end of the series that Kent criticized the team's young players.

- Oh, and back to Nomar, he basically wanted to know where he stood as far as next season since the Dodgers had been rumored to be looking at Miguel Cabrera at third base. Colletti said Nomar and Andy LaRoche will battle for the job this spring, and that's looking like a good bet given that Cabrera is now off the board.

The Dodgers are so far away in terms of years and money with Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand that they have not made offers.

Hiroki Kuroda, on the other hand, has been offered a contract.

Mike Lieberthal, Rudy Seanez and Mark Sweeney remain possibilities for being re-signed. Seanez is considered the most likely of the group.

The Miguel Cabrera trade won't happen unless someone budges.

Ned Colletti met with the Arn Tellem, the agent for Nomar Garciaparra. "I didn't have to say anything," Colletti said. "He told me Nomar just wants to know."

Nothing earth-shattering, but the Dodgers did make its first amateur signing from Japan, getting RHP Robert Boothe from Asia University to come to the US on a minor-league deal. Boothe has siblings that reside in the US, as he was born to an American father and a Japanese mother.

"Robert is a quality athlete with a nice delivery, good arm action and a sound mix of breaking pitches which gives him a chance to become a future Major Leaguer," assistant general manager of scouting Logan White said in a statement.

One player who's busy in the Opryland lobby looking for a job is Steve Finley. Naturally, he's open to returning to the Dodgers. "It'd be a good fit," he said. Finley, by the way, is 42.

Former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley has been chosen for induction into the Hall of Fame. He appeared on nine of 12 ballots.

The Dodgers declined to offer arbitration to any of their free agents. Luis Gonzalez was a Type B free agent and if offered arbitration and signed elsewhere, would have garnered the Dodgers a compensatory draft pick. Then again, you run the risk of Gonzalez accepting arbitration.

The Dodgers signed infielder Terry Tiffee to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Tiffee played in parts of three major league seasons and spent 2007 in Class AAA with the Baltimore Orioles organization.

The Dodgers hired Rodney McCray as their roving baserunning and outfield coach. Video evidence of his prowess can be found here.

I'm thankful for surviving a Thanksgiving eve that went from reporting this earlier yesterday to nailing down this for today. The Dodgers thought they'd be meeting with Hunter on Saturday, but never offered, and the Angels came through with a huge deal so close to newspaper deadline that I darn near ended up a turkey...

The Dodgers signed minor league free agent catcher Rene Rivera and made him a non-roster invitee to spring training. Rivera, 24, has played in parts of three seasons with the Seattle Mariners and spent 2007 in Class AA West Tenn.

The Dodges have added Xavier Paul, Lucas May, James McDonald, Ramon Troncoso, Justin Orenduff, Mario Alvarez and Cory Wade to their 40-man roster. Pitcher Mike Megrew was outrighted and became a free agent.

Also, the Padres have signed former Dodger minor leaguer Marshall McDougall.

The minor league deal to bring back pitcher Chan Ho Park is on hold due to his scheduled participation in the upcoming Asian Baseball Championships for South Korea, according to The Korea Times.

Free agent center fielder Torii Hunter is interested in signing with the Dodgers.

"The Dodgers are definitely near the top," Hunter told Yahoo! Sports. "With Joe Torre there, things have got to change. He's bringing his history with them. I'm telling you, they're going to start winning."

Hunter, 32, hit .287 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI during an All-Star season with Minnesota Twins. He also stole 18 bases and won a Gold Glove.

My condolences to Scott Boras, who has had as tough a week as a guy can have putting the final touches on a $275 million contract. To him, I offer this pick-me-up. Saved it for someone in baseball down on his luck. Didn't ever think Boras would be that guy.

Speaking of misreading the situation, less-costly client Chin-hui Tsao, who recently elected to become a free agent over taking a minor league assignment with the Dodgers, reportedly said at a press conference in Taiwan that he'd like to possibly come back as a starting pitcher. Could be the medicine talking there. Tsao also claimed that he could have come off the disabled list quicker if the Dodgers had allowed him to use some Chinese medicine that had previously worked for his shoulder.

Rick Ragazzo, previously the Giants' director of international operations, has been hired as a special assistant to Ned Colletti.

Pitching coach - Rick Honeycutt
First base coach - Mariano Duncan
Third base coach - Larry Bowa
Hitting coach - Don Mattingly
Bench coach - Bob Schaefer
Bullpen coach - Ken Howell

Jason Schmidt was cleared today to begin throwing, and he'll likely start with tossing next week in Arizona.

Peavy, Webb, Penny was my ballot and the eventual 1-2-3 in the overall voting.