[Joey Slugs]

Monday, November 21
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Josh Beckett Marlins	Red Sox? Rangers?	Rangers-Marlins deal is close Nov 21 - According to the Miami Herald, a deal is "on the table" in which Florida -- in an effort to shed payroll -- would send right-hander Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Texas for third baseman Hank Blalock and one of two pitching prospects, John Danks or Thomas Diamond. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Boston Herald both report that the left-handed Danks, the Rangers' first-round pick in 2003, is the most likely to go in the deal. Sources say the deal is close. The Rangers, unwilling to part with either pitching prospect, are thought to be working with a third team for a pitcher who could be dealt to Florida to complete the trade. According to the Palm Beach Post, to avoid losing either Danks or Diamond, the Rangers could dangle first baseman Adrian Gonzalez as trade bait to a third team for pitchers to flip to Florida. The Post says the Rangers and Marlins also have discussed scenarios that include center fielder Juan Pierre in the deal. If the trade with Texas falls apart, the Boston Herald has reported that the Marlins are considering a proposal to send Beckett and Lowell to Boston for shortstop Hanley Ramirez and a pitching prospect, either righty Anibal Sanchez or lefty Jon Lester. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that another club open to a Lowell-Beckett package is the Tigers, while the Angels, Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates and Giants could enter the bidding as well. The Marlins reportedly are trying to pare 25 percent of their payroll, and trading Lowell -- who is owed $18 million over the next two years -- is central to any deal. They would also like to free up money in order to lock up Dontrelle Willis to a new contract.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Carlos Delgado Marlins	Orioles? Mariners? Mets?	Mets, O's after Delgado Nov 21 - According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Mets may be beefing up their pursuit of Carlos Delgado now that Mike Cameron is off the payroll. The key to any deal, though, would be the Mets' top pitching prospect, right-hander Yusmiero Petit. The Marlins could also ask for right-hander Aaron Heilman, first baseman Mike Jacobs or infielder Chris Woodward as part of a deal for Delgado. The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Mets GM Omar Minaya has spent a considerable amount of time talking to Florida about Delgado. Any team that would acquire Delgado would likely have to assume the rest of his contract. Delgado is due $13.5 million in 2006, $14.5M in 2007 and $16M in 2008. The Orioles are also suitors for Delgado, although they are undecided whether or not they want to part with a top pitching prospect such as left-hander Adam Loewen or right-hander Hayden Penn, according to the Palm Beach Post.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kenji Johjima	Mariners	Johjima, M's agree on 3-year deal Nov 21 - The Mariners have agreed to terms with Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima on a three-year, $16.5 million contract, and will make the signing official at a news conference Monday afternoon, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Johjima's contract can increase to $19 million if he reaches designated thresholds based on plate appearances, the source said. Johjima, a star in Japan with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, was considered one of the top free-agent catchers on the market this winter along with Benji Molina and Ramon Hernandez.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Brian Giles Padres	Yankees Cardinals? Red Sox? Mariners? Indians?	Giles staying in S.D.? Nov 21 - GM Kevin Towers believes Brian Giles may give the Padres a hometown discount, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. With the Yankees possibly willing to spending $30-plus million for Giles, the Padres will have to top their three-year, $25.5 million offer to retain the 34-year-old outfielder.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Boston		Bowden coming back Nov 21 - In their search to replace GM Theo Epstein, the Red Sox over the weekend interviewed White Sox director of player development Dave Wilder and gave Jim Beattie a second look, The Boston Globe reports. Washington GM Jim Bowden reportedly will get his second interview on Monday. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy said the Red Sox had yet to contact him seeking permission to talk to Pirates GM Dave Littlefield. McClatchy was responding to a rumor that the Red Sox were interested in Littlefield, a New England native, and that Beattie would be Littlefield's assistant.