GM meets with slugger's agent to express support

	WINTER MEETINGS 2006 THURSDAY DONOVAN: Winter Meetings notebook LUFT: Sound off on Meche, Schmidt, Piazza, more HEYMAN: Cashman sends message to A-Rod HEYMAN: Giants in on Zito, talk with Bonds TRUTH & RUMORS: Who is Bonds' 'mystery' team? WEDNESDAY DONOVAN: Now this is a Bonds reality show LUFT: What to make of Drew, Lugo contracts? HEYMAN: White Sox deal Freddy Garcia to Phils DONOVAN: Epstein puts his rep on the line HEYMAN: Zito could be next $100 million man TRUTH & RUMORS: M's look to unload two stars TUESDAY DONOVAN: No singular right way to build team HEYMAN: Maddux bolts Dodgers for Padres HEYMAN: Drew signs with Red Sox for $70 million HEYMAN: Manny trade talks stall, 'all but dead' VERDUCCI: Yankees close to signing Pettitte HEYMAN: Maddux likely to sign with Padres DONOVAN: GMs can't wait out pitchers forever LUFT: Analyzing the major offseason moves TRUTH & RUMORS: Three-way trade for Manny? MONDAY PROSPECTUS: AL team-by-team previews | NL HEYMAN: Dodgers, Mariners in Manny Sweepstakes TRUTH & RUMORS: Schilling would welcome Drew

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent a strong message to Alex Rodriguez in a long dinner meeting Wednesday night with agent Scott Boras: "We love you, and you're not going anywhere.''

A big stir was created at the Winter Meetings when Cashman and Boras hopped into a car and drove off, and the main purpose of the dinner was to discuss how they can best support Rodriguez, who had an off-year by his standards in 2006 when he batted .290 with 35 home runs and 121 RBIs and was occasionally the target of booing in the Bronx.

The Angels are one of several teams to have shown interest in Rodriguez, who has a no-trade clause and professed his desire and intention to stay many times. The meeting was designed to reaffirm the Yankees' intention not to pursue any outside interest. On the menu were different ways to support A-Rod.

While Rodriguez was the main reason to meet, Cashman and Boras discussed several other subjects, including Barry Zito and Bernie Williams. It is believed that the favorites to land Zito are the Mets, Giants, Rangers, Mariners and Angels.