Minaya re-signed Fernando Tatis and Nelson Figueroa. Cashman did make a significant trade for Nick Swisher and re-signed Damaso Marte. But given that both teams' primary goal is to upgrade their pitching staffs - a starter and closer for the Mets, multiple starters for the Yankees - both men have miles to go before they can rest.

The meetings start in earnest tomorrow, but talks and plans have been in the works since the end of the regular season. So while this week has great value in that everyone will be in one place, The Bellagio, it's more of a continuation than an initiation.

In case it's you the reader who has been away, here's a reminder of what our two local teams are trying to accomplish:

Mets

1. CLOSER

The Mets control this market. They're confident they'll wind up with either Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes. They like Kerry Wood, but his injury history would have to make any club nervous. Whom the Mets sign will depend largely on the terms of the respective agreements. They like Rodriguez's big-game history and aura, but they're also concerned about his diminished velocity.

That their bullpen fell apart fully in September has the Mets wanting to acquire more than one big-time reliever. They'll wait on cost-cutting Colorado to see if the Rockies drop their price on Huston Street.

2. STARTING PITCHER

They really like Derek Lowe, but Lowe's agent, Scott Boras, wants $18 million a season, and the Red Sox and Yankees are involved in the Lowe sweepstakes.

Boras' other starting-pitching client is Oliver Perez, whom the Mets at least know fully. There will be haggling over Perez's value, but if the Yankees get CC Sabathia and the Red Sox sign Lowe, then the Mets and Perez might find themselves as the best fit for each other.

3. AN OUTFIELD BAT

The Mets need someone who can hit from the lower half of the lineup, and preferably righthanded. Unfortunately for them, there's not a player with those exact qualifications whom they love.

So would they go after Bobby Abreu or Raul Iba?ez, even though both hit lefty? Or will they just stick with what they have and hope Daniel Murphy has no sophomore slump, Nick Evans keeps improving and Luis Castillo shows up ready to play in '09?

Yankees

1. STARTING PITCHER

You already know: Cashman likely will meet today with CC Sabathia, whom the Yankees have offered six years for about $140 million. A.J. Burnett probably will sign with the Braves. It'll be a flat-out financial race to sign Derek Lowe.

2. TWO MORE STARTING PITCHERS

Remember, in the Yankees' minds, they have only two starters right now, Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain, and Chamberlain will have an innings limit.

That's why they'd love to acquire both Sabathia and Lowe, and also for Andy Pettitte to take their offer of $10 million. If they can't hit their quota from that trio, they'd expand their search to include Oliver Perez and free agent Ben Sheets. They like San Diego's Jake Peavy, but Peavy and agent Barry Axelrod have made it clear to any and all that the righthander wants to stay in the National League and doesn't care for New York.

3. OFFENSE

The Yankees could live with the lineup they've constructed now - and some of the players feel the same way - if they were to get the starting pitching they want. If they can't find pitchers to take their money, however, then Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez will be in play.

Mike Cameron could come from Milwaukee in a trade, to provide centerfield more of a veteran presence. But the Yankees and Brewers haven't come close to agreeing on terms of a deal there. The Yankees won't include Ian Kennedy in a Cameron trade.