There were scattered reports over the weekend that the Red Sox could be shopping Mike Lowell, but given that he’s old, expensive and in decline, such a deal would be a tough nut to crack. According to Rosenthal, however, the Sox are willing to kick in as much as $6 million of Lowell’s $12 million…

Remember back in the spring how Alex Rodriguez said that it was his cousin, Yuri Sucart, who was the one that supplied him with his PEDs? Well, he’s had a worse go of it since then than A-Rod has: Banks began foreclosure proceedings on Yuri Sucart’s Miami home and three South Florida rental properties in…

The Daily News reports that Major League Baseball wants to return regular season baseball to Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2010, and that, due to the presence of multiple Puerto Ricans on their roster, they want the Mets to be one of the participants.  The visiting team, of course, because they’d…

On Friday it was reported that the White Sox were interested in ancient former Mariner (and Indian and Giant and Ranger) Omar Vizquel. Yesterday the Chicago Tribune reported that the Sox have offered Vizquel $1 million.  You have to figure he’s gonna take it. Vizquel is only three years younger than Ozzie Guillen, and like…

Zack Greinke proved that the little guys from small markets can get it done, correctly earning the AL Cy Young award when voters overlooked his relative lack of wins (16) and focused instead on his sheer dominance over the course of this season, giving him the award over big names like CC Sabathia, Felix Hernandez…

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com write that the Cubs would love to trade for Roy Halladay, however they would need to clear salary in order to pull off such a deal, according to major league sources. Halladay is owed $15.75 million in 2010, but the Cubs already have $42.375 million tied up…

Earlier this morning I wrote about Nick Cafardo’s column from the Boston Globe that mentioned J.D. Drew underwent surgery on his left shoulder last week to alleviate inflammation he suffered with after the All-Star break. The Red Sox have an out-clause based on the pre-existing condition in Drew’s right shoulder, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts,…

Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman told Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times that the club plans to be active in adding at least one reliever and another catcher to use in tandem with Dioner Navarro. “We have a list of guys on other teams we have an interest in, and a list of free…

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Athletics have signed former top prospect Dallas McPherson to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. McPherson, 29, failed to make the Marlins out of spring training last season, then underwent back surgery in July after signing a minor league contract with the Giants. McPherson…

In a piece for the New York Times, Jonah Keri makes a rather interesting and detailed case for the Yankees to get younger next season. While the dangers of complacency are numerous, he highlights the 2002 Anaheim Angels as the classic cautionary tale for what Yankees general manager Brian Cashman faces in the coming months.…

According to Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are poised to be “buyers” this offseason, as they are in a better financial position than they have been in more than a decade. “It’s the fun part of the job. This is the time for us to go up and hit,”…

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com report that the Indians are unlikely to trade Kerry Wood this offseason. According to the report, in order to trade him they would have to eat a significant chunk of Wood’s $10.5 million salary for 2010. With the overabundance of closers available this winter, the demand doesn’t…

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is back with his latest batch of Hot Stove goodies. Here’s a quick run-down of some of the more interesting tidbits: – Gary Sheffield isn’t done. The 41-year-old slugger wants to return for his 23rd season and he has 3,000 hits on his mind. “After talking to my wife…

Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes that the Royals have identified the Mets as a potential trading partner for Jose Guillen. According to the report, the Royals aim to acquire an inexpensive outfielder in return for Guillen and are impressed with Angel Pagan. Limited to just 81 games in 2009 due to various injuries…

With a deal seeming more likely by the hour, let’s run through the candidates to pick up Toronto’s ace: Yankees – Money isn’t much of an issue, and the Yankees certainly have the pieces to get a deal done between Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, elite hitting prospect Jesus Montero and outfielder Austin Jackson. Also, new…

Free Agency Preview – Catcher Free Agency Preview – First base & DH Free Agency Preview – Second base Free Agency Preview – Third base Free Agency Preview – Shortstop Free Agency Preview – Outfield Free Agency Preview – Starting pitchers This is the last in a series of columns looking at this winter’s free…

After reaching an impasse regarding a contract extension for Josh Johnson, his agent Matt Sosnick was rather blunt about the 25-year-old’s future in Florida during an interview with MLB.com on Saturday. “As far as our feelings are concerned, and I feel very strongly that this is true, that Josh either signs a long-term deal now…

Responding to fans who felt the new Citi Field wasn’t a tribute to the blue ‘n’ orange as much as it was a baseball field with a neat little entrance way dedicated to Jackie Robinson, the Mets announced plans to expand the presence of club history throughout the ballpark for its second season. – The…

“We would like to sign him, he is an original Blue Jay and we have never had a pitcher as good as him. But he is not inclined to sign with us.” – Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston, while talking about the future of Roy Halladay with the New York Post. Giddy up,…

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, free agent Jose Contreras is considering a move to Japan. Contreras’ 16-year-old son is hoping to take part in an exchange program with a Japanese high school. According to a Sanspo.com report, Contreras reached out to the Hanshin Tigers earlier this week. Though the Tigers have likely ruled…