Boston out of running for Teixeira?

• Boston's owner John Henry said that after seeing other offers for Mark Teixeira, it is clear that the Red Sox will not be a factor in the bidding. I, for one, find this very hard to believe and think it's just a smokescreen to keep Teixeira's price from going up.
• Rumor has it that the Yankees will make an effort to try and sign Manny Ramirez. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, as a matter of fact, said that he saw a report in the New York Daily News that the Yanks had already offered Ramirez a three-year, $66 million deal. However, this has not been verified anywhere.
• The Mike Cameron-to-the-Yankees deal appears to be dead.

Phillies sign Park; Yankees, Brewers talking

• The Phillies have signed Chan Ho Park to a one-year, $2.5 million deal. This makes me curious as to where this leaves Jamie Moyer. As you already know, Philadelphia and Moyer have been haggling over dollars for a while now.
• The Yankees and Brewers are still talking about a potential Mike Cameron trade. New York is offering up Melky Cabrera and Kei Igawa. However, the current snag in the deal is that the Yanks want Milwaukee to either eat some of Cameron's contract or take on some of Igawa's, something the Brewers are not willing to do.
  
• The Mets want to sign one of Oliver Perez or Randy Wolf. It looks like Derek Lowe is out of their price range.
  
• Not much is going on with Mark Teixeira right now. The general consensus is that the Red Sox are the frontrunners to land his services. ESPN's Buster Olney says the idea that the Nationals could make a $200 million offer for him is "lunacy," much like I have been saying all along.
• Ken Davidoff does not think the Yankees will make any more big signings this off-season and thinks that they will stay away from Scott Boras clients. That means Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe.
• Houston signed Jason Michaels to a one-year deal.

Peavy deal dead; Max Ramirez to Marlins?

• Once again, the Jake Peavy-to-the-Cubs deal is dead, and the Padres will leave the Winter Meetings with the right-hander still in tow. The Angels have now emerged as a potential trading partner for San Diego. Los Angeles certainly has a lot more young talent to offer than Chicago.
• The Marlins are talking to the Rangers about a deal that would bring young catcher Max Ramirez to Florida. Aaron Thompson and Ryan Tucker, two pitching prospects, have been mentioned as potential matches for Texas. Only one would go in the trade.
• The Yankees are aggressively pursuing A.J. Burnett and are the clear frontrunners to land him. The Bronx Bombers reportedly offered Burnett a five-year deal worth $85 million. The only other team known to have as much interest in the 32-year old right-hander as the Yanks are the Braves. As far as Derek Lowe goes, ESPN's Jayson Stark said New York would still be interested in acquiring his services even if they sign Burnett.
  
• The Dodgers may be willing to give a third year to Manny Ramirez.
  
• Kansas City signed pitchers Horacio Ramirez and Doug Waechter.
• The Rays dealt Edwin Jackson to Detroit for outfielder Matt Joyce.
• The Mets are talking to the Cubs about a possible Jason Marquis trade.
• Philadelphia is the frontrunner to land Raul Ibanez. People close to Ibanez say that the Phillies are his number one choice. Also, the Phils are close to signing Chan Ho Park.
  
• The Angels seem to be preparing to make Mark Teixeira an offer believed to be in the seven-year, $160 million range. The Halos are looking at alternatives, however, including Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, and Adrian Beltre.
• This morning, it looked like the Yankees and Brewers were closing in on a deal that would have sent Mike Cameron to the Bronx for Melky Cabrera. Now, some are calling the trade "unlikely" because New York wants Milwaukee to pay some of Cameron's salary. The Brewers might also want a pitcher in return along with Cabrera, possibly Kei Igawa, but I highly doubt that Igawa is the hold-up in this deal.
• Cincinnati signed Arthur Rhodes to a two-year, $4 million deal.
• If the White Sox do in fact trade Jermaine Dye, expect them to make a run at Bobby Abreu.
  

Sabathia to Yankees; Dye trade back on?

• CC Sabathia has chosen the Yankees, signing a seven-year, $161 million deal. Sabathia can opt out of his contract after three years. New York might also bring in Derek Lowe.
  
• The White Sox and Reds have rekindled talks about a potential Jermaine Dye trade, as Cincinnati is looking for an outfielder. If the Reds can't swing a deal for Dye, they'll probably turn their attention to Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell.
• Supposedly, the Nationals are willing to offer Mark Teixeira a 10-year contract worth over $200 million. The Yankees might focus on Teixeira now that they've signed Sabathia, but at the same time, they might forget about Tex due to the fact that they already spent nearly $200 million on CC. Teixeira has stated that he would prefer to play on the east coast. While the Red Sox are another possible destination, it's looking more and more like the Angels are out of this.
• The Marlins are discussing a trade with the Pirates that would send Robert Andino to Pittsburgh. It is not known who Florida would get in return, but it was rumored that the Fish had interest in Ronny Paulino. The Marlins have also talked to the Rays about Jeremy Hermida, although they couldn't find a match. It looks like Hermida will stay. Oh, and the Jorge Cantu to San Francisco rumor finally appears to be dead.
  
• John Smoltz prefers to stay in Atlanta, but Boston and Detroit are both showing interest in the veteran right-hander.
  
• According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals offered the Mariners Rick Ankiel and a prospect for J.J. Putz. The Tigers are also very interested in Putz.
  
• The Mets are looking for a setup man, with Huston Street being a possibility. On another note, New York has interest in Juan Pierre.
  
• Now that Milwaukee lost Sabathia, maybe they focus on re-signing Ben Sheets now?
• The Indians are closing in on a two-year, $20 million deal with Kerry Wood.
• All is quiet on the Manny Ramirez front.
  

No Peavy deal; CC to Brewers or Giants?

• The Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez to a three-year, $37 million deal with a fourth-year option.
  
• It looked like the Cubs were closing in on a deal for Jake Peavy yesterday, but they weren't. Chicago appears to be having second-thoughts about making a trade with three other parties involved.
• The Yankees are currently negotiating with Scott Boras about Derek Lowe. Rumor has it that it is a four-year deal worth around $65 million. New York may also be preparing to make a five-year offer to A.J. Burnett.
• In a stunning turn of events, Tony Jackson of Inside the Dodgers has heard word from Giants' officials that they are "supremely confident" that they are going to sign CC Sabathia. Dan Graziano also pointed out that San Francisco is a major player in the Sabathia sweepstakes. Andrew Baggarly also had an interesting piece of information (albeit an unconfirmed rumor), and it was that Sabathia declined the Yankees' offer. However, both Ken Rosenthal and Peter Gammons have come out and said that this was not true. Baggarly also said that he heard the Brewers are the frontrunner. My feeling is that he winds up staying in Milwaukee.
  
• Philadelphia appears to have moved on from Pat Burrell and is focusing on Raul Ibanez.
• The Marlins are interested in Texas' young catchers, but the asking price is far too high, as the Rangers would want one of Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, or Chris Volstad in return for either Max Ramirez or Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Talk about expensive. Also, the Jorge Cantu for Jonathan Sanchez trade talks have died down, and indications are that Cantu will remain in Florida.
  
• Cleveland is close to signing Kerry Wood to a two-year deal.
• The Braves are looking at two Pirates' players: Nate McLouth and Paul Maholm.
  
• Although the Delmon Young to the Rays rumor won't seem to die, you can pretty much forget about it.
• Toronto met with Rafael Furcal today. The Athletics and Dodgers appear to be the leading candidates for his services.
• The Cardinals are talking with Brian Fuentes' representatives.
• Ken Rosenthal has sources that say the Nationals will be the highest bidder for Mark Teixeira. Take that for what it's worth, as I can't see Teixeira signing with Washington.

Peavy close to being dealt?

• It looks like Jake Peavy is going to be dealt after all. Several sources are saying that the Padres are engaging in a three-team (or possibly even four-team) trade with the Cubs and Phillies. If there is a fourth team, sources say that it would be the Orioles. Players have been agreed upon, but the only thing that is really known so far other than the teams involved is that Peavy would be headed to Chicago. More to come on this development soon.
• CC Sabathia has met with the Yankees twice over the past two days. Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti, however, says that Sabathia told him that he wants to be a Dodger. Also, the Brewers have reportedly made CC another offer, with some saying that it is a six-year deal worth $120 million.
• The deal the Mets offered to Francisco Rodriguez was two years and $25 million with a third-year option. I can't see K-Rod taking that. New York has also met with Brian Fuentes and plans to meet with Trevor Hoffman promptly.
• The Dodgers are expected to announce a three-year, $17 million agreement with Casey Blake soon.
  
• SI's Jon Heyman says that the Yankees are prepared to offer A.J. Burnett a four-year, $64 million deal, $4 million more than Atlanta is offering.
• The Marlins continue their search for a catcher, with names such as Ivan Rodriguez and Ronny Paulino surfacing. Also, the Jorge Cantu for Jonathan Sanchez rumors have come back to life. As far as Jeremy Hermida goes, the Cubs and Marlins haven't talked in a while, contrary to other reports. The Braves were said to be looking at Hermida, but I can't see the Fish trading him to a division rival. Finally, Matt Treanor is a goner, whether it be by trade or non-tendering.
• Atlanta also has interest in Rick Ankiel and Corey Hart.
  
• The Giants are interested in both Jorge Cantu and Edwin Encarnacion. Whether they would deal Jonathan Sanchez for either of those players (more likely Cantu than Encarnacion) is the question. Personally, I can't see a Cantu/Sanchez swap making sense for either Florida or San Francisco. The Giants also don't seem to be serious about making a play at CC Sabathia.
• The Reds and White Sox have talked about a potential Jermaine Dye trade, although nothing is imminent. Homer Bailey would have to be involved.
• The Yankees and Rangers have both met with Ben Sheets. Texas does not appear to be that serious, though.
• Tampa Bay and Kansas City are the frontrunners to land Milton Bradley.
• The Blue Jays are showing interest in Rafael Furcal.
  
• Jason Giambi is expected to sign with the Athletics.
• Boston is more focused on Mark Teixeira than CC Sabathia.
  
• Nick Punto is drawing some interest, particularly from the Phillies and Yankees.
• Cleveland met with Kerry Wood's agent today, and it remains interested in Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman. No Francisco Rodriguez here.
  

Peavy may stay; Mets looking all over for CL

• Padres' GM Kevin Towers has told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that if he cannot reach a deal with the Cubs for Jake Peavy by next Monday, Peavy will start the season in San Diego.
  
• The Yankees met with CC Sabathia today, and according to ESPN's Buster Olney, the meeting went great.
• Despite rumors that suggest otherwise, Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti says that the Yankees and Los Angeles have not rekindled talks about a possible Robinson Cano for Matt Kemp trade.
• The Mets are examining all options for the closer spot. They have reportedly offered Francisco Rodriguez a three-year deal, and they also plan on meeting with Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman today. There have also been some reports of New York talking to Toronto about B.J. Ryan; others say that the Mets would not be opposed to attempting to trade for Seattle's J.J. Putz. Two more names that have been thrown around are Kerry Wood and Huston Street. GM Omar Minaya actually approached the Rockies about Street, but then changed his mind. It seems like the Mets are very wary of Rodriguez for some reason, whether it be the type of contract he is looking for or his decrease in velocity this past year.
• Minnesota appears to be shopping Delmon Young, and the Phillies are reportedly interested. There was talk that the Rays could get involved, but ESPN's Jayson Stark is hearing that Tampa Bay would never take back Young. Also, the Rays willing to trade Jason Bartlett in the right deal.
• The Marlins have gotten inquiries about Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, and Jeremy Hermida. Uggla will not be moved unless someone blows them away with an offer, and it will take a lot to pry Cantu away. The general feeling is that the same goes for Hermida. The Cubs have asked about Hermida, but Florida was asking for much more than Chicago was willing to give up. The Marlins want major-league ready talent in return. The Fish were also said to be interested in Ronny Paulino.
• The Cubs are not only looking at Hermida for outfield help, but also have their sights set on Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, and Milton Bradley.
  
• St. Louis is very interested in A.J. Burnett.
• The Astros are willing to deal Miguel Tejada if the price is right. Ken Rosenthal names the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Angels as possible suitors. I could see the White Sox making a run at him, as well.
• Detroit has been busy, first trading for Texas catcher Gerald Laird and then signing shortstop Adam Everett. The Tigers are also searching for a closer. Kerry Wood and J.J. Putz have been mentioned as possibilities. Maybe B.J. Ryan, as well?
  
• The Indians want Brian Fuentes.
• Huston Street is certainly on the market, with the Mets already inquiring. Colorado would also like to move Willy Taveras. As far as players the Rockies are interested in, Eddie Guardado, Alan Embree, Ron Villone, and Glendon Rusch have been discussed. Obviously, they are looking for relief help. Arthur Rhodes is another possibility, but the pricetag on Joe Beimel is probably too high.

Giants active; Dye/Jenks to Mets rumor false

• The Giants have all of a sudden become a very active team. According to the NY Daily News, San Francisco might make an offer to CC Sabathia. It would not be as large as the Yankees' offer, but the Giants are probably hoping that Sabathia's fondness for the west coast helps him in making his potential decision. There is also a rumor floating around that San Francisco is discussing a trade with the Marlins that would send 26-year old left-hander Jonathan Sanchez to Florida in exchange for Jorge Cantu. I don't see how that deal makes sense for either side.
• The Jermaine Dye/Bobby Jenks to the Mets rumors are false, according to Mets' officials. They continue to say that Fernando Martinez, who was rumored to be part of the deal, is untouchable.
• Seattle is shopping J.J. Putz. I would imagine that the Mets will come calling if they cannot work out a deal with Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes, which is looking more likely with every passing day.
• Derek Lowe has gotten two offers: one from the Phillies and one from an unidentified team. That second club, however, is not the Yankees or the Red Sox.
• There is a rumor that the Indians are talking to the Astros about a trade that would net them Jose Valverde and Ty Wiggington. Andy Marte would be one of the pieces heading to Houston.
• Adam Dunn is drawing plenty of interest, but teams are very wary of his poor defense.
• The Yankees and Dodgers might re-kindle talks about a possible Robinson Cano for Matt Kemp trade at the winter meetings.
  
• The Yanks also have an eye on left-handers Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf.