The Braves, finally scoring a victory in a tumultuous offseason, are on the verge of reaching agreement with Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami on a three-year free-agent contract, according to major-league sources. 

For nearly a month now, the Mets have been focused on replacing Oliver Perez in their starting rotation, with Derek Lowe, Perez himself and Randy Wolf their top options in the free-agent market. 

The Yankees are a success 

While the Mets have revamped their bullpen, questions linger as the Feb. 

--Agent Scott Boras, already in New York for client Mark Teixeira's press conference with the Yankees, met with Mets officials on Jan. 

The Mets' relief staff helped cause a late-season meltdown in 2008, so a revamping of the bullpen was in order. 

While the Mets have revamped their bullpen, questions linger as the Feb. 

--Agent Scott Boras, already in New York for client Mark Teixeira's press conference with the Yankees, met with Mets officials on Jan. 

The Mets' relief staff helped cause a late-season meltdown in 2008, so a revamping of the bullpen was in order. 

While the Mets have revamped their bullpen, questions linger as the Feb. 

--Agent Scott Boras, already in New York for client Mark Teixeira's press conference with the Yankees, met with Mets officials on Jan. 

The Mets' relief staff helped cause a late-season meltdown in 2008, so a revamping of the bullpen was in order. 

The New York Mets moved to add a pitcher while still negotiating with higher-profile free agents, reaching a preliminary agreement with Tim Redding on a $2. 

The New York Mets moved to add a pitcher while still negotiating with higher-profile free agents, reaching a preliminary agreement with Tim Redding on a $2. 

The Mets are on the verge of adding a free-agent pitcher, but it is not right-hander Derek Lowe or lefty Oliver Perez.