The final-day deals in what turned out to be the most active swap meet in years included the Red Sox sending shortstop Edgar Renteria to the Braves for third baseman Andy Marte and the Reds acquiring Tony Womack and cash from the Yankees for two Minor League players -- infielder Kevin Howard and outfielder Ben Himes.

Also, the Reds and Pirates finalized the Sean Casey-for-Dave Williams trade, which was agreed to in principle the first day of the meetings.

With a perceived lower class of free agents on the market this year, the GMs said at their November meetings in Indians Wells, Calif., that they expected most of the action at the four-day winter confab at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel to be heavy on trades and light on free-agent signings.

They were correct.

As the MLB executives departed for their respective home cities Thursday afternoon following the Rule 5 draft, only two of the premier free agents -- starting pitcher A.J. Burnett and shortstop Rafael Furcal -- signed with new teams as the Hot Stove sizzled.

For those keeping score, without counting the proposed trade that would send Rangers second baseman Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge and a Minor League player to be named, there were 15 completed trades made in the past four days, involving 41 players.

Without a trading deadline lurking, there probably are more trades to come before Opening Day.

"We never feel any pressure to get something done at these [meetings]," Athletics GM Billy Beane said. "It's early December. The offseason doesn't end when we hand in our room keys."

It took a couple of days to warm up, but the GMs created some off-the-field excitement that hadn't been seen during the Winter Meetings in quite some time.

There were only five trades consummated during the annual meetings held in Anaheim last year, with 12 players changing addresses. The meetings held in New Orleans in 2003 were a little more active on the trade front with 12 trades spread out over three days, involving 28 players.

The 2002 meetings, held in Boston, were non-eventful for the first two days, but six trades on the third day, and five more on the final day, sent 21 players to new organizations. And the '01 meetings, held in Nashville, Tenn., produced 10 trades, involving 31 players.

The 2000 meetings, also held here at the Anatole Hotel, are best remembered for Alex Rodriguez receiving the richest contract in MLB history -- $250 million over 10 years. There hasn't been anything quite like that since.

Other owners gulped and their respective GMs consummated just six trades -- five on the final day -- involving 14 players during the first Winter Meetings of the new century.

There was less gulping and more action this year.

"We are delighted with this," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said when announcing the Renteria trade. "It fills a significant hole in our club that was created by the loss of [Furcal]. Some people in the baseball industry like this guy better than any shortstop, whoever you want to name."

In other news from the final day of the meetings:

• The Rockies sent right-handed pitcher Marcos Carvajal to the Mariners to complete Wednesday night's trade for catcher Yorvit Torrealba.

• The Mets signed free agent infielder Jose Valentin to a one-year contract.

• The Giants signed free agent infielder/outfielder Mark Sweeney to a two-year contract.

• The Rockies signed right-handed reliever Jose Mesa to a one-year contract for 2006 with a club option for '07.

• The Royals signed right-handed pitcher Elmer Dessens to a two-year contract.

• The Orioles reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with free agent catcher Ramon Hernandez on a four-year, $27.25 million contract.

• The White Sox acquired Rob Mackowiak from Pittsburgh for left-handed reliever Damaso Marte.

• The Yankees bolstered their bullpen, agreeing to a two-year deal with free agent left-hander Mike Myers, pending a physical.

• The Royals signed INF/OF Joe McEwing to a Minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

When it was all said and done, these meetings mostly were about making trades -- and taking a closer look at the upcoming World Baseball Classic, a first-of-its-kind tournament that will be played next March in Japan, Puerto Rico and the United States.

The 16-team event features some of the biggest names in the sport. The list of Major League players who have signed up to play include: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Derek Jeter, Dontrelle Willis, Carlos Delgado, Carlos Lee, Javier Vazquez, Ivan Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki, plus both of this year's league MVPs -- Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriquez.

The Olympics-like tournament begins March 3 in Japan's Tokyo Dome and end with an inaugural champion crowned on March 20 in San Diego's PETCO Park.

"This takes the sport to another dimension," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "It's going to be so big because this is going to take the whole sport to heights that we can't even imagine today."

The WBC is expected to be staged again in 2009 and then every four years thereafter.

Former Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez will manage Team USA. Davey Johnson, who last month led Team USA to a five-game sweep in its Olympic pre-qualifying tournament in Phoenix, will serve as Martinez's bench coach. The remainder of the announced staff: Ken Griffey Sr. (first base), Marcel Lachemann (pitching) and Reggie Smith (hitting).

"It's a very experienced staff," Martinez said. "A lot of Major League experience and name recognition. It's something that we've put together a staff that will be able to put together a 30-man roster that could be as good as any roster ever assembled."

The landmark tournament field includes Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, the United States and Venezuela. Cuba is the only country that hasn't formally accepted its invitation, although Cuba president Fidel Castro has made statements recently indicating that the baseball-rich Cubans will compete.