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As midnight came and went last night, representatives of the Red Sox and Braves were talking about a deal that would send Edgar Renteria to Atlanta for third baseman Andy Marte, the Braves' top prospect, according to a source with direct knowledge of the talks. The sides intend to talk again today, the fourth and final day of baseball's winter meetings. The Sox could cut separate deals with Atlanta and Tampa Bay, sending Renteria to the Braves for Marte, then using Marte as part of a bigger deal with Tampa Bay in which they would not only acquire the shortstop they have targeted, Julio Lugo, but also first baseman Aubrey Huff and/or closer Danys Baez. The Sox have shown interest in Huff in the past and that may be renewed after they failed to acquire Milwaukee first baseman Lyle Overbay. To make a bigger deal, the Sox would probably have to offer a package including Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, and pitcher Bronson Arroyo.



The Mets were talking to the Dodgers on a number of other fronts, as the Dodgers have made pitchers Derek Lowe and Brad Penny available for the right price. Neither is as high on the Mets' wish list as Vazquez is, but both names came up in discussion yesterday as the Dodgers expressed some interest in Benson.

The notion of Roger Clemens, 43, returning to the Bronx took a significant leap forward yesterday. Because the Astros didn't offer Clemens arbitration, they can't re-sign him until May 1. "Roger won't decide whether he will play in 2006 until late January at the earliest," Randy Hendricks, one of Clemens' representatives, wrote in an e-mail yesterday. "We will talk to anyone that calls, now that the Astros have decided to protect their budget." The Red Sox, Clemens' original team, also figure to contact Clemens, as do the Rangers. One Rangers official said yesterday, however, that the club believes Clemens will return to the Astros on May 1. The Mets also could make a play for Clemens, according to an official from an American League team.


The Twins continued to lay some groundwork in their quest to land a designated hitter, impressing free-agent slugger Mike Piazza on Wednesday. General manager Terry Ryan met with Piazza's agent, Danny Lozano, during the third day of the winter meetings, and the Twins remain on the perennial all-star's short list of four teams. "We had a nice conversation about Mike," said Lozano, adding that he talked to Piazza after the meeting with the Twins. "Mike said he'd be willing to do whatever the Twins would want him to do. Mike likes the team, because they have a chance to win. That's what he wants to do."


The Mariners are also on the verge of signing free-agent outfielder Carl Everett to a contract, addressing their need for a left-handed bat. If nothing goes wrong, the signing of Everett, a 34-year-old switch-hitter, could be announced any day, but possibly not until next week. The Mariners need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Everett, who hit .251 with 23 homers and 87 RBI for the Chicago White Sox last year and figures to serve as Seattle's designated hitter.


The Tigers were closing in on a three-year agreement with starting pitcher Kenny Rogers and a two-year deal with closer Todd Jones, according to an industry official.

The Mets also were still working on trying to unload second baseman Kaz Matsui, with the Dodgers still interested and the San Diego Padres, who yesterday dealt Mark Loretta to Boston, expressing interest in the disappointing Japanese import. The Mets are resigned to having to pay some of Matsui's salary in order to move him, but they have to move him if they're going to sign Mark Grudzielanek or Tony Graffanino to play second base.


On the eve of the final day of these winter meetings, the Red Sox and Braves were intensifying talks on a trade that would send Red Sox shortstop Edgar Renteria to Atlanta in exchange for third base prospect Andy Marte. What was holding up the deal was money, with the Braves balking at paying the remaining $29 million of Renteria’s contract and the Red Sox unwilling to pay as much as half, Atlanta’s asking price, of the bill. A compromise, possibly somewhere in the middle, with the Braves paying $7.5-8 million a season, was said to be in the works but was not expected to be reached before today.


Dan Evans, the former Dodgers general manager, became the latest candidate to meet with the Red Sox about their general manager’s vacancy. Evans, 45, met with team president and CEO Larry Lucchino here on Tuesday. Evans is currently the special assistant to Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi. After spending 19 years in the White Sox organization, Evans was hired by the Dodgers in the middle of the 2001 season and became general manager that October. He was fired just before spring training in 2004.


The Cubs and Dodgers have discussed a deal in which Todd Walker would go to Los Angeles in exchange for right fielder Milton Bradley. Walker, who played second base for the Cubs, could play first base in L.A. Or he might play second with Jeff Kent shifting to first.


The Padres, despite having Ryan Klesko, are among teams interested in J.T. Snow, according to a high-placed major-league source. A different source said the Dodgers, Red Sox and Royals expressed interest. (Mike Sweeney is expected to move from first to DH for Kansas City.)


Omar Minaya's top priority was trading Kris Benson, and the Mets were moving closer to that goal yesterday with the Rangers after talks with the Royals broke down Tuesday night. A baseball official with knowledge of the discussions said the most recent proposal involved sending Benson to the Rangers for outfielder Laynce Nix and righthander Juan Dominguez.


Last night, Bill Mueller was close to agreeing to a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, meaning that the Red Sox will get a draft pick as compensation.


Still seeking help for their outfield, the Orioles have expressed interest in two free agents, Kenny Lofton and Jeromy Burnitz, according to industry sources. They also remain interested in Jeff Conine, who could play both outfield and first base.
Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, who said the team will address needs at second base, center field and in the bullpen through trades or ''reasonable free agents,'' is reportedly in discussions with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on a deal that would bring speedy center fielder Joey Gathright to the Marlins in exchange for some of the pitching prospects the team has stockpiled in the past two weeks.


The Jays will continue vying for free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra, who is being pursued by half the teams in baseball. Toronto wants him as a DH and could go longer than a one-year deal, which will raise the price of a former all-star whose best offer could come from a Los Angeles Dodgers team that wants him as their everyday third baseman. Baltimore has already gotten in on the bidding for Garciaparra, making him a one-year offer for $4 million with bonus incentives added in.


The final season of Kazuo Matsui's contract is coming up. But it's possible he might not be spending it at Shea. The Mets and Devil Rays have talked about the Met second baseman, a baseball official confirmed yesterday. That does not mean a deal is imminent or likely. In fact, there are issues that would have to be resolved. Matsui has a no-trade clause to all teams but the Yankees, Dodgers and Angels. So even if the Mets and D-Rays end up working something out, Matsui would have to approve it.


The A's aren't shopping Barry Zito as they shopped Tim Hudson last year at this time, and that means the trendy lefty might have a decent shot at staying in Oakland. Although the mainstream assessment is that Zito will go next, owner Lewis Wolff said the 2006 A's can make it work monetarily with Zito, who has one year remaining on his contract at $7.9 million -- not the $8.5 million widely reported. "We can go the whole season the way we are, and any trades have to be positive trades -- not based on economics and trying to save money," Wolff said in a phone interview. "I assume (Zito) will be with us awhile. He's an A in '06 right now. It's really up to Billy."


The moves followed Walt Jocketty's morning meeting with the representative for free-agent pitcher Kevin Millwood, who is believed to be seeking a deal in excess of the five-year, $55 million deal the Toronto Blue Jays gave A.J. Burnett on Tuesday. Agent Scott Boras cited Millwood's success in both leagues, his three seasons of at least 17 wins and his 2005 American League ERA title with the Cleveland Indians in describing him as "a different animal" than Burnett, who has never won more than 12 games in a season. A source with knowledge of Wednesday's talks thought the Redbirds' interest "has legs." The Cardinals remain in the market for a corner outfielder but La Russa underscored Wednesday that economic realities make it likely So Taguchi will go to spring training as a projected starter.


According to agent Scott Boras, right-handed reliever Julian Tavarez is on he Yankees' radar. "They have an interest," Boras said of the former Cardinal. Also drawing interest from the Yankees are Roberto Hernandez, Rick White, Octavio Dotel and Jeff Nelson.


Phillies manager Charlie Manuel now works for Pat Gillick, a veteran baseball man who wants to make one more run at glory with a team that has long been searching for some. At 68, Gillick probably isn't going to be all that patient in waiting for results, especially with two of his former managers, Lou Piniella and Davey Johnson, available.

The Pirates are believed to have asked Detroit about trading for right fielder Craig Monroe. Monroe, 28, is a right-handed hitter who batted .277 with 20 home runs and 89 RBIs last season. He is first-time eligible for arbitration after making $400,000. The Tigers covet an experienced starting pitcher. In addition to looking into Monroe, the Pirates continue to discuss trading with the Red Sox for Trot Nixon or signing free agent Jacque Jones of the Minnesota Twins. Both are right fielders, part of a growing indication the team is looking to trade Craig Wilson, who has been pushed off first base by Casey's addition.



The Red Sox could then turn elsewhere for a one-year shortstop fix (free agent Alex Gonzalez, Mets infielder Kaz Matsui) before seeing if Dustin Pedroia can handle the position in 2007.


The Sox continue to explore landing spots for David Wells and Manny Ramírez, both of whom have asked to be dealt. The Dodgers have stopped pursuing Wells, finding the Sox' price (big-time bullpen help) too high. The A's and Giants are also believed to have lost interest in Wells. San Diego remains the most logical destination for Wells, who would prefer a return to his hometown, but there were indications last night that a deal to the Padres will take time to complete.


The Orioles made a one-year, approximately $4 million offer to free agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra. One Orioles official said the team would likely not offer Garciaparra a two-year deal, which could make Baltimore a long shot to land the infielder. Agent Arn Tellem said Garciaparra would likely make a decision within a week.


Alfonso Soriano, who will turn 30 in July, represents a major new force in the middle of the Nationals' tepid offense, which ranked last in the majors in batting average and runs in 2005. Although he came up through the New York Yankees' system as a shortstop and has spent the majority of his big league career at second base, the Nationals will most likely play him in left or center field. Soriano resisted playing the outfield in Texas, but the Nationals already have three-time all-star Jose Vidro at second. However, should Vidro take extra time to rehabilitate a nagging knee injury, or be unable to play a full season, Soriano would be an outstanding insurance policy.


After going 13-8 in 2005, Clemens is 341-172 with a 3.12 career ERA. Once he retires, he's tied to a 10-year personal services contract with the Astros. But there's no guarantee he won't land with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or any other team next season. "There's no hard feelings," Randy Hendricks said. "It's just a strange situation."


There were indications last night the Yankees were discussing a trade that would send Tony Womack to Cincinnati.


The Mets also are looking to add bench players, but one of their top targets, utility man/pinch hitter Mark Sweeney, seemed set to sign a contract with the San Francisco Giants.


Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino was spotted briefly in the lobby, and said that “just because (a Manny Ramirez trade) doesn’t get done here doesn’t mean that it’s on the back burner.”


The Marlins said this week they will not grant refunds to season-ticket holders -- a position that put already fuming fans in an even fouler mood. The Marlins also won't reverse an earlier decision to raise single-game ticket prices for next season. (Prices will be announced soon.) Season-ticket prices also have increased for some seats. After watching the Marlins trade Josh Beckett, Carlos Delgado, Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, Paul Lo Duca and now Pierre, fans have been venting their outrage. ''This is not what we bought a ticket for,'' said Andrew Gordon, a Miami Beach resident, who said he and five other friends were rebuffed in efforts to get a refund. ``It's a shame. . . . The Marlins don't care. We're not getting what we paid for.'' There is no legal precedent for fans collecting refunds when a team trades popular players, according to Ervin A. Gonzalez, a Coral Gables attorney who handles class-action suits, among other things. After previous owner Wayne Huizenga dismantled the Marlins in 1998, several people filed class-action lawsuits.

The Orioles' talks with Cincinnati, which focused on Reds slugger Adam Dunn, are pretty much over, according to an industry source. The Reds, said the source, were adamant about Erik Bedard's inclusion in the deal.


Though talks with Boston about a potential Manny Ramirez deal appear stalled, the Angels have done some homework on the Red Sox slugger, whose quirky behavior has been disruptive at times. "We've talked with [Angel shortstop] Orlando Cabrera and [Spanish radio broadcaster] Jose Mota, who know Manny better than anyone, and there's nothing [Ramirez] wants to do more than win," Manager Mike Scioscia said.


Two relievers in whom the Pirates have shown a strong interest are Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez, agent Randy Hendricks confirmed last night.


Julio Franco and the Braves are apparently parting ways. The 47-year-old first baseman wasn't offered arbitration by the Braves by midnight Wednesday, the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their unsigned free agents. Those not offered arbitration can't re-sign with their current teams until May 1.

As many as 10 teams expressed serious interest in Javier Vazquez, keeping Byrnes and his lieutenants working the phones 10 hours a day. But so far, the Diamondbacks haven't been able to get what they consider fair value for one of the top starting pitchers still available. A Vazquez trade, when it comes, almost certainly will have a dramatic ripple effect on the Arizona roster with key players - including possibly last year's big acquisition, Troy Glaus - coming and going in any one of a dozen ways.


The Tigers were close Wednesday night to reuniting with an old bullpen warhorse -- Todd Jones, a 37-year-old right-hander who pitched for Detroit from 1997-2001 and last season had 40 saves for the Florida Marlins. Jones and the Tigers were near agreement on a two-year contract that would give Detroit the veteran closer it craves and so far has failed to lock up during a feverish offseason for free-agent pitchers.


Immediately, the buzz at the Winter Meetings was Roger Clemens returning to the Yankees for a second stint. He pitched for them from 1999 to 2003, helping the Yankees win two World Series and appearing in two others. "I don't have any reaction to it," Cashman said of Clemens becoming a free agent after making $18 million for going 13-8 with a MLB-best 1.87 ERA in 32 starts last season. "I don't want to start a back page. We all know who Roger Clemens is and how special he is. I guess all that is for another time." Then Cashman uttered words that leave the door open for a return if Clemens wants to pitch again and if he can live with the Yankees not providing the deal Clemens had with the Astros, who didn't require Clemens to attend every game in order to spend time with his family.


At second base, the Pads GM projects utility man Bobby Hill, a switch-hitter obtained from the Pittsburgh Pirates last month, and rookie Josh Barfield, a right-hander who batted .308 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI for Triple-A Portland.


Seattle has shopped pitcher Gil Meche without success. The Pirates, Orioles, Mets, and Brewers have said no thanks.


The Mariners met with Larry Reynolds, the representative for free agent outfielder Carl Everett, for the second consecutive day. One industry source indicated that Everett has surpassed Jeromy Burnitz and Jacque Jones as the most likely solution to Seattle's quest for an outfield bat. The Mariners have asked about Boston outfielder Trot Nixon, but he is believed to be a fallback.


KC GM Allard Baird was confident the Royals would make a trade for a second baseman who he said could be in the lineup on opening day. Baird said he also could fill a utility role, leaving open plenty of possibilities. Would it be the White Sox’s Willie Harris, the Cubs’ Jerry Hairston, the A’s Marco Scutaro or the Nationals’ Jamey Carroll? No to all four, sources said. And while Mark Grudzielanek will not re-sign with the Cardinals, the fact that Baird said the second baseman will come via a trade rules him out, too. There were plenty of other “no’s” tossed around Wednesday. Baird said he had not spoken with the Angels about a trade for Mike Sweeney, refuting a report that said Los Angeles had turned down a deal for the first baseman. Baird did not talk with the agents for outfielders Jacque Jones or Reggie Sanders, leaving the Royals likely without a corner outfielder as the meetings end.


Tribe GM Mark Shapiro went to his short list of available closers. It held one name. The name belonged to Bob Wickman, the Indians' new closer. Shapiro had two options with Wickman - offer him arbitration by midnight or sign him. He signed Wickman to a one-year deal worth $5 million.


New Cubs OF Juan Pierre will be a free agent after the 2006 season, but Hendry appears in no rush to sign him to a contract extension. “Someone mentioned they thought it was a one-year, rental-type guy,” Hendry said. “We certainly didn’t go into it with that approach. We’ll look at it with an optimistic view that it’s not a one-year thing, and obviously, our track record’s pretty good. “We’ve been pretty successful in not having guys want to leave our situation. I don’t think it’s something we’ve given a lot of thought to, ‘We have to extend him now.’ Just kind of play it by ear.”


White Sox GM Ken Williams indicated the club would try to trade one-time outfield phenom Joe Borchard, who played in seven games this year.


Infielder Jose Vizcaino, not offered arbitration by the Astros, is another possible candidate for a utility job with the White Sox.


Reds star Adam Dunn is displeased and sort of pleased, not happy to see Sean Casey go and unsure about a move to first base. "This is one of those things you hate to see," said Dunn, en route Wednesday to a deer hunting excursion. "Casey has been as big a part of the Reds as anybody over the past 10 years. It will be tough not to see him on a daily basis." Dunn didn't want to talk about setting roots at first base until he talked to manager Jerry Narron, but said, "I played there a little in high school, but mostly pitched twice a week. It is good that the manager believes I can play there after I worked so hard not to make a spectacle of myself in left field. I'm really not that comfortable at first because I feel more like a designated hitter. I like to move around more, do some running to keep my legs loose, and you do more of it in the outfield."


The Twins offered arbitration to free-agent right fielder Jacque Jones before the 11 p.m. CST deadline, meaning the door hasn't completely closed on the Twins' chances of re-signing the veteran. Jones has garnered strong interest on the market from Seattle, St. Louis and Kansas City, and the Twins have not actively tried to re-sign him. But the Twins extended their window to do that if they choose, and Jones has until Dec. 19 to accept or reject arbitration. If Jones signs with another team, the Twins would receive a first-round draft pick as compensation.


Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, in what would seem a clear signal the Sox are not satisfied with the candidates they have interviewed to date, met Tuesday with Dan Evans, the former Dodger general manager and current special assistant to Seattle GM Bill Bavasi. Ten years ago Evans was on Lucchino's list of finalists for the Padres GM job that went to Kevin Towers. Lucchino seemed reluctant to characterize his session with Evans as an interview. ''The search process is essentially on hold this week, to enable us to focus on the business of the winter meetings," he said in an e-mailed message last night. ''I did have a conversation with Dan Evans in the hotel, who reiterated his interest in being considered for the position. No interviews are scheduled."


The Red Sox continue to pursue a new deal with Johnny Damon while listening to clubs (Seattle, for one) interested in dealing for Trot Nixon. The Mariners are contemplating Nixon as a fall-back plan, a Mariners source indicated yesterday.


The Phillies and Dodgers have talked a few times this week. They had talked about a trade that would have sent Bobby Abreu to the Dodgers for pitchers Derek Lowe or Brad Penny. David Bell also could have been sent to the Dodgers, but there seems to be little chance of moving Bell now. Two sources said the Phillies had been trying hard to move Bell this week. "The teams wanted to explore some free-agent alternatives before they make a trade," Gillick said of the two deals that seem to have fallen through.


A club source gave GM Walt Jocketty a "50-50" chance of firming a deal for a relief pitcher before the team pulls out of the Wyndham Anatole following this morning's Rule 5 draft. The Cardinals have extended one-year offers to free agents Octavio Dotel and Braden Looper as well as approaching the Tampa Bay Devil Rays about righthanded closer Danys Baez, who was 5-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 41 saves in 67 games last season.



GM Omar Minaya talked with Oakland GM Billy Beane this week about Barry Zito's availability, and was eager to make a deal. But the Mets apparently were discouraged by the asking price, and were left with the impression that Beane plans to wait before trading him, perhaps well into the season. That's not to say Zito won't remain on Minaya's radar, and it helps that the A's lefthander has told friends he would welcome a trade to New York, an encouraging sign should the Mets need to negotiate an extension before making the trade.


Yanks GM Brian Cashman and scouts Jim Benedict and Jeff Wetherby had lunch with agent Arn Tellem about Nomar Garciaparra, whom the Yankees are looking at as a utility player. Cashman also spoke with agent Seth Levinson, who represents lefthanded specialist Mike Myers, one of several relievers the Yankees have expressed interest in.


The Rangers could consider dealing one of their extra centerfielders now, perhaps Gary Matthews Jr. or Laynce Nix, two players the Yankees might consider

The Rockies also offered salary arbitration to Byung-Hyun Kim, keeping alive the possibility of re-signing the right-handed pitcher. Kim will decline the arbitration, but the move allows the Rockies to continue to negotiate with him until Dec. 19. That indicates the two sides believe there has been some progress in their contract talks after the Rockies received earlier hints that Kim wanted substantially more than they were willing to offer. After feeling financially limited in plans to pursue free agents Elmer Dessens, Shawn Estes and Pedro Astacio, the Rockies picked up talks with Kim to try to provide some depth for their rotation. "We will continue to talk," O'Dowd said of Kim. "We have a lot of issues to work through, issues about our process and where he hits and what he has to offer, not just money."


Right fielder Aubrey Huff remains a possibility, but so do several other players. With the signing of Juan Pierre, it would seem the Cubs have little interest in the Dodgers' Milton Bradley, but Bradley still could be used at one of the corner outfield positions. He is not considered a power hitter, and the Cubs would be getting him at a discount if his value drops because of his attitude. "We'll take the best player we can get," Hendry said. "I don't worry about how many home runs he can hit." One source close to the trade situation said the Cubs were in a "mix of teams" the Dodgers were talking with and there are "four or five different offers [for Bradley], from prospects to major-leaguers."


New Marlins manager Joe Girardi Wednesday reiterated that he doesn't regret his decision to take the job. Girardi said the two sides didn't discuss the degree to which the payroll would be scaled back. Yet knowing then what he knows know, he still would have accepted the offer. "Part of my team depended on how the stadium deal got done," Girardi said. "I think the landscape will change again once it gets done. For right now, we're going young. My thought is if you're going to go young, do it all at once. They can grow together. They can learn to rely on each other, be accountable, and the competition for the spots is healthy."


Who Knew? During a 14-day Maelins trading spree GM Larry Beinfest rid the franchise of roughly $98.25 million in payroll commitments through the 2008 season. That figure assumes Luis Castillo triggers a $5.75 million vesting option for 2007. It also takes into account a combined $20 million Pierre, Beckett and Mota stand to earn through arbitration before qualifying for free agency. Offensively, the Marlins will lose upward of 76 percent of their hits, 74.3 percent of their runs scored, 67.2 percent of their homers, and 72.4 percent of their RBI from last season. The aforementioned pitchers accounted for 31 wins, 270 appearances (61 starts), 598 1/3 innings and 536 strikeouts.

The Red Sox declined to offer arbitration to lefty Mike Myers, meaning if the Yankees sign him, they will not surrender a draft pick. Oakland and the Chicago White Sox are also interested in Myers.


The Yankees have been unable to find a center-field replacement whose price tag they like in either the trade or free-agent market. Another name surfaced yesterday -- Houston's Willy Taveras, who was second in NL Rookie of the Year voting -- but there does not seem to be a fit with the Yankees. ...


Bernie Williams may be back with the Yankees after all. The Yankees last night offered arbitration to Williams and two other free agents, left-hander Al Leiter and right-hander Ramiro Mendoza. That extends the window for re-signing the players to Jan. 8. Cashman said the Yankees are willing to sign Williams to a one-year deal to fill the role most recently held by Ruben Sierra: part-time DH and extra outfielder. While Williams has maintained his belief he can still be a regular, agent Scott Boras yesterday afternoon seemed to open to door to Williams' return without a guarantee of playing time.


The Mets were still talking to the Arizona Diamondbacks about a trade that would bring them right-hander Javier Vazquez, and the name of top Mets prospect Lastings Milledge has surfaced in those discussions. It's also possible that Arizona would take right- hander Kris Benson back as part of a Vazquez deal. Many other teams are in on Vazquez, however, and it could be a little while before he's moved. A high-ranking Mets official said the team had spoken with the Oakland A's about left-hander Barry Zito and been told the A's had no plans to trade him. If they acquired Vazquez for prospects, the Mets would like to trade right Benson to make room in their budget and their starting rotation. Talks with the Royals on a deal that would send Benson to Kansas City for a relief pitcher had not progressed since Tuesday night, though the deal remained a possibility.





To make room for pitcher Hector Carrasco on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated reserve outfielder Jeff DaVanon for assignment. DaVanon is expected to be released….


Scott Boras, Damon’s agent, held court for a while yesterday. He offered few details on the Red Sox’ negotiations with Damon, who was believed to have spoken with other clubs — but not the Red Sox — here on Tuesday. “On all fronts, the dialogue with the Red Sox and other clubs has been consistent, and on a daily basis,” Boras said. Without quantifying it exactly, Boras said that “multiple teams” had interest in Damon. “The Yankees need a center fielder and Johnny Damon is the premier guy out there,” Boras said


Another important issue for GM Tim Purpura is Brad Ausmus. Both sides have been working on a contract, and with the Astros void of a top-flight catching prospect in the minor leagues, re-signing Ausmus is a priority. The Astros also would like to re-sign Orlando Palmeiro, who hit .284 this year. "I think Brad wants to be back here," Purpura said. "It's a matter of coming to an agreement and getting it done. I feel the same way with Orlando. ... We need to devote our energies to Orlando and to Brad, and I feel there's a good chance of getting them both done, but nothing's certain."


In other Nationals news, the club yesterday offered arbitration to pitchers Joey Eischen and Tony Armas before a midnight deadline and were close to signing both free agents to one-year contracts. Eischen's deal, which baseball sources said is worth about $1.2 million, keeps one of the most popular players in the Nationals clubhouse around for another season. The re-signing of Armas is a bit of a surprise, given his injury history.


The free agent the Pirates now covet desperately is switch-hitting third baseman Bill Mueller, as evidence by the two-year offer made to him by the club earlier this week. Mueller, 34, is also being courted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox. Boston offered Mueller salary arbitration yesterday, which means the Pirates would forfeit a second-round draft pick if they signed him.


In their quest to obtain a right fielder, the Pirates inquired about the Toronto Blue Jays' Alex Rios at the meetings, but they were unable to come up with a match. Rios, 24, batted .286 with 10 homers and 59 RBI in 146 games last season.


The primary beneficiary of Sean Casey's presence in Pittsburgh will be Jason Bay, who had a monster offensive season in the No. 3 spot despite having little protection from the cleanup man. Tracy did not specify how he might align those two because of the possibility of more additions, but he embraced the idea Casey could elevate Bay. So did Bay. "I'm thrilled we got Sean Casey," he said from Arizona. "We needed another proven bat in the middle of the lineup, especially a guy who's killed us over the years."


The Nationals believe they are in the running for free agent starting pitchers such as Matt Morris, Kevin Millwood and Jarrod Washburn, although the rising price of pitching is harming the Nationals' chances nearly as much as the uncertainty over the status of the franchise.

There might be trouble ahead for Juan Pierre, the speedy center fielder the club acquired Wednesday from the Florida Marlins. At least that's what sports astrologer Andrea Mallis plans to tell Cubs general manager Jim Hendry during her stay at baseball's winter meetings in Dallas. Not that Hendry wants to hear it either. When contacted by phone and informed Pierre was born Aug. 14, 1977, in Mobile, Ala., Mallis consulted her astrological charts and data and reported: "I see him wearing down in September and October of 2006. He has the same Saturn aspect in Leo that Barry Bonds had last year. I see the same karma morass that caught up with Barry—you know, the injuries, the IRS, the mistress … this looks like a challenge for Juan Pierre. I'm not going to sugarcoat things. I call them as I see them. I see major red flags." Mallis, who has a degree in sociology, is not considered a lightweight. Her Web site (www.virgoinservice.com) notes she has a regular astrology segment on the Oakland A's postgame radio show. She writes for MLB Magazine and ESPN.com and appears on ESPN's "SportsCenter" and "Cold Pizza."
 

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Pizzia and the twins close he would like to catch a couple times a week for the twins besides DH
 

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Love hot stove talk any new rumors Roxy...... is there a link to a good baseball rumor site...Hoops hype for basketball is great...Looking for a baseball one.
 

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