[Joey Slugs]

Tuesday, November 29
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Paul Konerko White Sox	Orioles Angels White Sox	Angelic offering Nov 29 - The Angels are believed to have bumped their initial four-year offer to Paul Konerko to five years and about $60 million, The Los Angeles Times reports. Konerko is expected to travel to Anaheim this week, and he could make a decision before next week's winter meetings in Dallas. According to The Baltimore Sun, the Orioles extended a four-year, $50 million offer to Konerko about two weeks ago.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Johnny Damon Red Sox	Red Sox Yankees? Cubs?	No seventh heaven Nov 29 - Johnny Damon's agent, Scott Boras, is pushing for a seven-year commitment, but the Yankees say they aren't interested in talking about the center fielder unless the discussion revolves around a three-year deal, the New York Daily News reports. Damon is believed to be seeking about $12 million a year, the Boston Herald reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Tom Gordon Yankees	Mets Red Sox Phillies Indians Orioles	Hot Flash Nov 29 - The Phillies have stepped up their efforts to sign Tom Gordon, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. What is still unclear is whether they are willing to give Gordon the three-year contract he is looking for at age 38. It's believed the Phillies have an offer on the table for Gordon, but indications are that it's for less than three years. And GM Pat Gillick expressed reluctance Monday to give contracts that long to 38-year-old pitchers like Gordon and Trevor Hoffman, who have now moved to the top of the free-agent closer heap.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kyle Farnsworth Braves	Mets? Phillies? Indians? Braves Tigers Orioles Yankees	Doors opening for Farnsworth Nov 29 - The Yankees are in serious negotiations with Kyle Farnsworth, but no offer had been made as of late Monday night, the New York Post reports. Barry Meister, Farnsworth's agent, told ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick that phone calls from interested clubs have increased significantly since news of B.J. Ryan's five-year, $47 million deal with the Blue Jays began leaking out Saturday. "It changes the landscape in that more teams are actively pursuing Kyle now," Meister said. "It's the law of supply and demand. There's one less player on the supply side now." Farnsworth, who had 16 saves and a 2.19 ERA with Detroit and Atlanta last season, would consider a return to either city. Meister said Farnsworth also would be willing to accept a "super setup role" with a winning club. That could mean the Yankees, who will need someone to get the ball to Mariano Rivera if they lose Tom Gordon through free agency.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Brad Ausmus Astros	Mets? Rockies? Angels? Padres Astros	Ausmus exploring options Nov 29 - The Astros have exchanged offers with catcher Brad Ausmus, the Houston Chronicle reports. "We talked a couple of times on numbers, and we certainly don't have an insurmountable gap between us," Ausmus told the newspaper. Ausmus would like to return for an eighth season with the Astros or play for the Padres. "Certainly San Diego and Houston are my two favorites, no question," Ausmus said. "But I'm going to listen to everything, and I might listen to things in the Southern California area. I'm not really narrowing anything down right now." Ausmus, 36, wants a more lucrative deal than the two-year, $4 million contract he signed in November 2003, according to ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Rafael Furcal Braves	Braves Cubs	Cubs or Braves? Nov 29 - Cubs GM Jim Hendry met with shortstop Rafael Furcal at his Georgia home on Sunday, The Chicago Tribune reports. With the Cubs and Braves likely making similar final offers (four or five years for around $10 million per season), Furcal's decision may ultimately come down to where he feels most comfortable playing, the newspaper reports. A decision is expected by the end of next week's winter meetings.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Barry Zito Athletics		Zito for a slugger? Nov 29 - The signing of free-agent starter Esteban Loaiza could spell the end of Barry Zito's days in an A's uniform, given the team's need for a right-handed slugger, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. But GM Billy Beane cautioned reporters not to jump to conclusions. "I wouldn't necessarily read into it that it's a precursor to anything coming down the pike," Beane told the newspaper. Zito will be a free agent after next season.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Trevor Hoffman Padres	Braves Red Sox Indians Padres Mets	Save situation Nov 29 - Trevor Hoffman and the Padres likely will resume talks within the next 10 days, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. In October, the Padres offered Hoffman two years for $10 million; Hoffman countered with a three-year deal worth $25 million to $27 million, according to the newspaper. Cleveland, Atlanta and Boston also have shown interest.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Javier Vazquez Diamondbacks	Nationals	Capital position? Nov 29 - Washington's trade talks with Arizona about right-hander Javier Vazquez are "very much alive," a Nationals team source told The Washington Post. Vazquez has requested a trade from the Diamondbacks in hopes of getting closer to his home in Puerto Rico. He has two years and $24 million remaining on a four-year, $45 million deal.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
John Mabry Cardinals	Cubs	Mabry deal likely Nov 29 - The Cubs are set to sign utility player John Mabry, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The deal is expected to be completed after Mabry passes a physical.