[Joey Slugs]

WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Matt Morris Cardinals	Dodgers? Giants? Cardinals? Rangers	Patience is a virtue Dec 1 - According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Matt Morris' agent believes the Cardinals' interest in re-signing his client is dependent on other pursuits. "I've talked to [GM Walt Jocketty] about Matt and [free agent Mark Sweeney], and as with other teams, Walt has his pace for these things," Barry Axelrod told the newspaper. "It's an approach that is tried and true. ... You can't argue with the results." The Rangers have made a formal two-year offer to Morris, one of two offers Morris has received. San Francisco also is wooing the right-hander, and the Dodgers are expected to get involved now that their front office is more set. According to The Seattle Times, Morris's agent said Mariners GM Bill Bavasi called him this week. Esteban Loiaza's three-year, $21 million deal with Oakland could help set the cost of Morris, who made $6.25 million total last season after incentives were added to a $2.5 million guarantee.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Paul Byrd Angels	Royals Orioles Rangers	A rare Byrd Dec 1 - The Royals are still pursuing Paul Byrd, even though the veteran right-hander's payday could top the $21.375 million Esteban Loaiza received from the A's, The Kansas City Star reports. Byrd visited Cleveland earlier this week. "I hope we sign him," Indians GM Mark Shapiro told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We're making a legitimate effort, but he has a lot of offers out there." The Orioles have offered Byrd a two-year, $13 million contract with an option for a third year, The Baltimore Sun reports. Byrd reportedly is interested in reuniting with pitching coach Leo Mazzone. According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Byrd visited the Indians earlier this week.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Hector Carrasco Nationals		Carrasco departing D.C.? Dec 1 - The Nationals hope to keep Hector Carrasco, but they may lose the 36-year-old right-handed reliever to a West Coast team, The Washington Post reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Joey Gathright Devil Rays	Marlins? Dodgers? Cubs?	Hot commodity Dec 1 - Interest in outfielder Joey Gathright remains high entering the winter meetings, reports ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick. The Cubs, Marlins and Dodgers have emerged as the best fits among the teams on Tampa Bay's list of potential trade partners. The Devil Rays are looking for young pitching in return, and the Cubs (Sergio Mitre, Rich Hill) and Marlins (Scott Olsen, Jason Vargas, Josh Johnson) have names that appeal to Tampa Bay. The Dodgers are loaded with both pitchers and talented position players at the upper level of the minors. Gathright is still raw and lacking in plate discipline at age 24. But teams are intrigued by his blazing speed, and some scouts think he has a chance to evolve into an effective leadoff hitter with time.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Larry Bigbie Rockies	Mariners?	M's eyeing Bigbie Dec 1 - The Mariners are looking for a left-handed bat with power and are interested in Larry Bigbie, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. Seattle manager Mike Hargrove is familiar with Bigbie from his days as the Orioles' manager.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
John Flaherty Yankees		Catching retirement? Dec 1 - The Yankees' signing of Kelly Stinnett as backup catcher may signal the end of John Flaherty's 14-year career, the Westchester Journal News reports. Flaherty, 38, was Randy Johnson's regular catcher last season. Stinnett was Johnson's personal catcher in Arizona.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Octavio Dotel Athletics	Cardinals? Rangers?	Rangers pitch Dotel Dec 1 - The Rangers have made a formal offer to reliever Octavio Dotel, The Dallas Morning News reports. Dotel's agent, Don Horwits, said Dotel is looking for a one-year, incentive-laden contract. The 32-year-old right-hander had Tommy John surgery last June.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jose Mesa Pirates	Rockies	Rocky Mountain Mesa? Dec 1 - The Rockies are moving closer to signing veteran reliever Jose Mesa, the Rocky Mountain News reports. Mesa would serve as a setup man for closer Brian Fuentes.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Brad Ausmus Astros	Mets? Rockies? Angels? Padres Diamondbacks Astros	D-Backs inquire about Ausmus Dec 1 - The Diamondbacks this week contacted Brad Ausmus' agent, The Arizona Republic reports. "We had a lengthy conversation and planned to talk again soon," Peter Mrowka told the newspaper. 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; he's also interested in the Padres.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Yorvit Torrealba Mariners		Bound for Colorado? Dec 1 - According to the Tacoma News Tribune, the Rockies are interested in obtaining catcher Yorvit Torrealba from the Mariners. Torrealba became expendable after the M's signed Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima.