[Joey Slugs]

Saturday, December 3
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Rafael Furcal Braves	Dodgers Braves Cubs	Big deal from Dodgers Dec 3 - A source told the Los Angeles Times that the Dodgers have offered shortstop Rafael Furcal a three-year deal worth close to $40 million. The package would be worth more per year than the reported offers from the Cubs and Braves, who have offered Furcal $50 million over five years and $36 million over four years respectively. Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Thursday that Furcal isn't expected to decide on a team for "at least the next three days." At one point earlier this week, it appeared Furcal was poised to make a choice by midweek. "With the Dodgers now getting involved, it just complicates [a decision] a little bit," Kinzer said. "We're still talking to all three teams. But now, instead of basically concentrating on two teams, we've just added a third." According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Furcal is leaning toward signing with the Cubs. Chicago's five-year offer for Furcal reportedly was significantly greater than Atlanta's in both dollars and contract length.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Manny Ramirez Red Sox	Phillies? Mariners? Mets? Angels?	Manny suitors Dec 3 - According to the Boston Globe, the Rangers contacted the Red Sox on Friday and were willing to dangle second baseman Alfonso Soriano in a deal for the Sox left fielder. The Mets and Angels are still considered at the top of the list for Ramirez, the Hartford Courant reported. Jed Hoyer, Red Sox assistant to the general manager, said Ramirez has received strong interest from five teams and inquiries from more than a dozen. The Mets have reportedly shown the most interest, while the Angels also figure to be a trade possibility. "We're going to keep on listening," Hoyer said on RedSox.com. "But no one has sort of stepped up to meet the price that we want for him." The New York Post reported that the Mets have had discussions with the Red Sox about Ramirez.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Barry Zito Athletics		Rangers want Zito Dec 3 - According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers are focusing on Barry Zito and have called the A's. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Rangers are offering outfielder Kevin Mench so far. Other teams believed to be suitors for the former Cy Young winner are the Mets, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Phillies and Blue Jays. 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 Chronicle. Zito will be a free agent after next season.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kris Benson Mets	Orioles?	Big interest in Benson Dec 3 - Numerous teams have contacted the Mets about right-hander Kris Benson, according to the New York Daily News. Although GM Omar Minaya reportedly still has interest in Orioles reliever Jorge Julio, the Mets backed off trading Benson in exchange for Julio when they learned that other teams have interest in Benson as well. Two teams who have reportedly made serious inquiries about Benson, according to the Daily News, are the Giants and the Royals. Benson has two years and about $15.5 million left on his contract.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Paul Byrd Angels	Royals Orioles Rangers	Bailing on Byrd Dec 3 - The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the Angels withdraw their offer to Paul Byrd before signing Hector Carrasco on Friday. Byrd, whose last offer from the Angels was reportedly $11 million over two years, is still considering offers from Texas, Cleveland and Baltimore. But an Orioles official told the Baltimore Sun that their pursuit of Byrd was over. The Orioles had offered him a two-year, $13 million deal, but Byrd may be looking at a deal similar to the one that Esteban Loaiza got from Oakland: a three-year, $21 million contract. According to the Sun, Byrd spent part of last week meeting with Indians officials in Cleveland. "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."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
David Wells Red Sox		Wells wants out Dec 3 - According to the Boston Herald, Wells has been telling friends he will not return to the Red Sox. Although he has one more year left on his contract, Wells, 42, has reportedly asked to be traded to his native San Diego, where he played in 2004. The Herald reports that Wells also told friends he would not report to spring training if he remained with the Red Sox. He also reportedly said he would accept a trade to the Giants and does not want to pitch in the American League.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Johnny Damon Red Sox	Red Sox Yankees? Cubs?	Boston's primary focus Dec 3 - The Red Sox say they remain committed to keeping Damon and have been talking to Damon's agent, Scott Boras, according to the Hartford Courant. "Our priority really is to bring Johnny back," Hoyer told the Courant. "We want to keep him in a Red Sox uniform. Of course we're always looking at alternatives, but our priority is to make sure Johnny is in center field for us." 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
Nomar Garciaparra Cubs	Indians? Orioles?	Centering on Nomar Dec 3 - According to the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks have talked about the possibility of signing Garciaparra as a center fielder. It's also possible, the Republic suggests, that the D-Backs could sign Garciaparra as a shortstop to keep the position warm for Stephen Drew, their hot prospect who is more likely to be ready in 2007. The Cleveland Plain Dealer floats Nomar Garciaparra's name in the Indians' search for a right-handed hitter. The Twins had expressed interest in Garciaparra as a third baseman, but it appears the club may go with Terry Tiffee at the hot corner next year, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Earlier this month the Orioles said they might be interested, but only if he's willing to play either first base or the outfield.