Dec. 10 -- THE LOWE-DOWN

BY SCOTT LAUBER

LAS VEGAS -- Scott Boras has surfaced in the lobby, and we're hearing that he intends to talk to reporters later today.

While we wait, we believe the Yankees remain interest in signing Derek Lowe, a Boras client (he also has Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez and Oliver Perez, among others). If any team can drive up the price for Lowe, it's the Yankees, and Lowe is believed to be asking for three to five years at $15 to $18 million per year. Hard to imagine the Phillies going to those lengths for Lowe, although Ruben Amaro Jr. left open the possibility yesterday. Amaro did say that the Phils have interest in other free-agent pitchers, too. Sources with knowledge of the Mets' needs/wants say they also may be interested in Lowe.

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About that multi-team trade involving Jake Peavy, it's still on hold. Padres people seem to be insisting that it's going to happen. Cubs people are less certain. To me, it all stems from the fact that the Padres simply want to unload Peavy's salary. The Cubs, meanwhile, have ownership questions (and, thus, payroll concerns) and still prefer to make a one-on-one trade. They may have no choice, though, but to involve a third team.

Either way, it's starting to look like it won't happen before the meetings end tomorrow.