[Joey Slugs]

Wednesday, November 23
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Carlos Delgado Marlins	Mets Orioles? Mariners?	Mets to land slugger Delgado Nov 23 - The Mets have reached an agreement to acquire slugger Carlos Delgado from the salary-dumping Marlins, Newsday first reported Wednesday morning. The Mets will send pitching prospect Yusmeiro Petit and first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Marlins for Delgado. The Marlins will give the Mets $7 million to cover part of the $48 million owed to Delgado over the next three years. According to Newsday, the trade won't be finalized until medical exams are complete and commissioner Bud Selig signs off on the deal.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jim Thome Phillies	White Sox	Thome-Rowand swap Nov 23 - The Phillies reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday to send Jim Thome and cash to the World Series champion White Sox for center fielder Aaron Rowand. The deal, first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, is subject to the players passing physicals, the Phillies said. Thome, an oft-injured first baseman, is owed $43.5 million in the final three seasons of his contract.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Billy Wagner Phillies	Braves? Red Sox? Mets Phillies	Eye for the Big Apple? Nov 23 - After a two-day visit with the Mets, Billy Wagner left New York with an offer (three years, with an option for a fourth year, valued at $30 million to $31 million), The New York Times reports. When asked if a four-year contract would close the deal with the Mets, Wagner said, "I'm pretty open to anything. Definitely, it'll be worth coming to New York if I'm kind of overwhelmed. Four years is a big deal to us, but it all comes down to what our family decides." The Braves and the Red Sox have contacted Wagner's agent.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Manny Ramirez Red Sox	Mariners? Mets? Angels?	Manny's short list Nov 23 - Manny Ramirez's current wish (subject to change, of course) is to play for the Angels or the Mariners, the Boston Herald reports. Seattle likely interests Ramirez because Mike Hargrove managed him in Cleveland. Teammate David Ortiz thinks Ramirez won't be in left field for the Red Sox come Opening Day. "Manny is not returning to Boston," Ortiz said Monday during a news conference at the Office of the Sports Secretary of the Dominican Republic. "Manny lives a difficult situation that only he and his family know about, and he does not want to play there."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
B.J. Ryan Orioles	Indians Tigers Mets Blue Jays Yankees?	O's make 3-year offer Nov 23 - The Orioles have offered B.J. Ryan a three-year deal worth $18 million, The Baltimore Sun reports. But an American League executive, according to the newspaper, says Ryan could command a four-year deal worth $30 million. Ryan spent Monday and Tuesday in Cleveland, but GM Mark Shapiro wouldn't say if the Indians made the lefty closer an offer.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Bob Howry Indians	Cubs Phillies? Tigers Brewers Indians Mets Rangers	Fast-acting relief Nov 23 - Less than a week after signing lefty reliever Scott Eyre, the Cubs may be close to landing righty setup man Bobby Howry, The Chicago Tribune reports. Howry reportedly had been seeking a three-year deal worth around $12 million to re-sign with the Indians.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Brian Giles Padres	Yankees Cardinals? Red Sox? Mariners? Indians?	Yanks looking elsewhere? Nov 23 - The Padres balked at the three-year proposal received from Brian Giles' agent on Thursday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. According to the New York Daily News, it appears the Yankees' interest in Giles may be waning, as some members of the front office believe the veteran outfielder would rather remain in San Diego.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Los Angeles		Black in Blue? Nov 23 - Angels pitching coach Bud Black might be a candidate for the Dodgers' managing job after all. He just wants a little time to think about it. Black declined an invitation to be interviewed after the Dodgers received permission Tuesday to speak with him. He signed a two-year contract with the Angels earlier this month. The frontrunner, according to the Los Angeles Daily News, remains Braves special assistant Jim Fregosi.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Matt Morris Cardinals	Rangers	A pitch for Morris Nov 23 - The pitching-starved Rangers plan to offer veteran right-hander Matt Morris a contract -- likely two years -- this week, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Adrian Gonzalez Rangers	Red Sox	Yo Adrian! Nov 23 - The Red Sox have spoken with the Rangers about trading for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, The Boston Globe reports. Texas is believed to be interested in acquiring an outfield prospect, possibly Double-A outfielder Brandon Moss, but Boston would likely offer Triple-A catcher Kelly Shoppach, a Fort Worth native.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Paul Byrd Angels	Rangers	Byrd in hand? Nov 23 - Citing club sources, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Rangers plan to offer soft-throwing right-handed starter Paul Byrd a contract this week.