[Joey Slugs]

Friday, December 9
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Matt Morris Cardinals	Angels? Cardinals Giants Mariners? Dodgers? Rangers	Spirit of St. Louis? Dec 9 - The Cardinals hope to re-sign Matt Morris and are prepared to make him a three-year offer, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Morris, who has 101 wins in nine major league seasons spent entirely with the Redbirds, has drawn interest from many teams, including the Giants, Rangers and Mariners. The Giants reportedly have offered Morris a two-year deal worth at least $16 million and are considering restructuring the deal to accommodate a demand for a third year. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram says the Rangers have pitched a three-year, $25 million offer.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Javy Lopez Orioles	Angels?	Javy on the block? Dec 9 - With free-agent catcher Ramon Hernandez headed to Baltimore, a couple of teams have called the Orioles about the availability of Javy Lopez, the Baltimore Sun reports. The O's and Angels discussed a trade that would send Lopez to the West Coast for center fielder/first baseman Darin Erstad. The talks were serious at one point, but have cooled. Erstad, 31, and Lopez, 35, are both in their final year of deals and will make approximately $8.5 million this season. Orioles officials would prefer keeping Lopez, because they feel he will have a good offensive year, shifting as a designated hitter, catcher and first baseman. But they also realize he is one of their few valuable trade chips.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Braden Looper Mets	Orioles? Phillies	Phil 'er up? Dec 9 - According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phillies remain in negotiations with the Hendricks brothers, who represent Braden Looper. Alan Hendricks said that Looper, the Mets' closer last season, was being courted by as many as a dozen teams. In the inflated current market, Looper likely is looking for something approaching the two-year, $6.75 million contract he signed when he left the Marlins for the Mets after the 2003 season. "Money is part of it," Alan Hendricks told the newspaper. "Opportunity is part of it. The Phillies are seriously under consideration. We have a lot of choices. I have to talk to Braden and sort through his options."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Miguel Tejada Orioles	Red Sox?	Tejada wants out of Baltimore Dec 9 - Miguel Tejada is unhappy with the direction of the Orioles' franchise and wants to play elsewhere next season, the Baltimore Sun reports. In a telephone interview with the Associated Press in his native Dominican Republic, the All-Star shortstop lamented the franchise's lack of progress and called for a "change of scenery." "I've been with the Orioles for two years and things haven't gone in the direction that we were expecting, so I think the best thing will be a change of scenery," said Tejada. "I've done many things with the team and I haven't seen results and the other teams are getting stronger while the Orioles have not made any signings to strengthen the club." Tejada's declaration surprised Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan, who said earlier this week that the club talked to Tejada a couple of times to ask for input, and he was "on board with what we're doing."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Los Angeles		Holes to fill Dec 9 - According to the Los Angeles Times, GM Ned Colletti is still in pursuit of critical upgrades in several areas -- including at third base, outfield and starting pitching. Colletti believes he could add a starting pitcher through free agency, acquire the position players through trades and hold most or all of the prospects nearing major-league readiness. He met Thursday morning with Scott Boras, the agent for Jeff Weaver, Kevin Millwood and Jarrod Washburn, and had "two or three teams" with whom he believed a trade was possible.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kevin Millwood Indians	Dodgers? Mariners	Bye-bye, Cleveland Dec 9 - Re-signing Kevin Millwood is a longshot for the Indians. "At this point," said GM Mark Shapiro, "the chances of Kevin Millwood being back with us next year are very remote, if not almost impossible." Millwood is seeking a five-year deal comparable to the $55 million package A.J. Burnett got from the Blue Jays -- too rich for the Indians, who still need to add another starter, reliever and right-handed power hitter. Reports that Seattle has offered a four-year contract to Millwood have been greatly exaggerated, according to an official of one club that has talked with the Mariners. The official, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports, said his understanding was that the Mariners hadn't offered four years and may not have made any formal offer to Millwood. But according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Mariners offered Millwood a four-year deal believed to be worth about $44 million.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Nomar Garciaparra Cubs	Blue Jays? Yankees? Padres? Dodgers? Orioles Indians?	Tribal connection? Dec 9 - Cleveland is interested in signing Nomar Garciaparra. The Indians envision him in a utility role, or the club could move him into right field and use Casey Blake as a part-time first baseman, third baseman or outfielder. According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, if Garciaparra signs with the Indians, they'll give him a regular position. "Asking a guy to change positions is tough," manager Eric Wedge told the newspaper. "We'd keep Nomar in one spot." The 32-year-old Garciaparra has made it known he's willing to play any position but pitcher and catcher.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Roger Clemens Astros	Yankees? Red Sox?	Full circle? Dec 9 - If Roger Clemens decides to continue playing, he could land with the Red Sox, The New York Times reports. Clemens played his first 13 years for Boston, and Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling would love to have the Rocket. Beckett, a Texan, has always idolized Clemens, and Schilling credits Clemens with inspiring his career. The Astros cut Clemens loose by not offering him salary arbitration. He could still return to Houston, but would have to wait until May 1.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jeff Conine Marlins	Orioles	Baltimore revisited? Dec 9 - Jeff Conine is close to returning to Baltimore, the Baltimore Sun reports. The Orioles and Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, met late Wednesday and discussed "several options." Watkins would not confirm specifics, but one source familiar with the negotiations said the two are nearing a one-year deal "in the neighborhood of $1.5 million." Watkins expects the negotiations to intensify next week. He said two other clubs have expressed interest in Conine, who spent parts of five seasons with the Orioles before being traded to the Marlins in August 2003. Florida didn't offer him arbitration, practically guaranteeing that he would not return to Miami. "Ultimately, it is up to Jeff and [his wife] Cindy, but I will tell you Jeff loves Baltimore," Watkins told the newspaper. Conine, 39, hit .304 with three homers and 33 RBI in 335 at-bats as a platoon outfielder and occasional first baseman last season.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Frank Thomas White Sox	Athletics? Twins? Angels?	Oakland Big Hurt-ing? Dec 9 - The A's are expected to sign right-handed slugger Frank Thomas, reports ESPN's Peter Gammons.Oakland won't formally offer him a contract until after Dec. 7 -- the deadline for teams to offer their own free agents salary arbitration. According to The Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are considering offering Thomas a one-year, incentive-laden deal. The Twins say they'll review Thomas' medical records before continuing negotiations, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Julian Tavarez Cardinals	Yankees?	A Bronx tale? Dec 9 - According to agent Scott Boras, the Yankees have an interest in Julian Tavarez, The New York Post reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jason Marquis Cardinals		Swap shop? Dec 9 - According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jason Marquis has been made available in trade discussions and could be moved for an "impact" outfielder should Matt Morris return to the Cardinals.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Hank Blalock Rangers	Twins	Pitching for Blalock? Dec 9 - The Twins have talked with the Rangers about a deal for third baseman Hank Blalock, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Twins dangled right-hander Scott Baker as possible trade bait, but the team would like to keep starter Kyle Lohse. The deal also could be expanded to include Kevin Mench.