[Joey Slugs]

Friday, December 16
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Johnny Damon Red Sox	Dodgers? Orioles? Red Sox Yankees? Cubs?	O's not optimistic Dec 16 - While the Orioles have talked to agent Scott Boras about Johnny Damon, they don't expect to see Damon roaming around Camden Yards on Opening Day, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. "How can you not have interest in the guy?" Jim Duquette, the Orioles' vice president for baseball operations, told Stark Friday morning. "But the likelihood is not very high. It's going to be prohibitive, money-wise." Duquette wouldn't discuss what the Orioles were willing to offer Damon. But indications are that, like the Red Sox and Yankees, they wouldn't want to go beyond four years for a player who just turned 32 last month. Boras has been telling teams he already has "offers" of more than five years for Damon. But the four teams known to be interested -- the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers and Orioles -- all dispute suggestions that any of those offers came from them. And only the Red Sox (at four years, $40 million) have admitted making any formal proposal. Duquette said the Orioles have done no more than mention to Boras that they're interested. But most of their conversations with Boras have concerned free-agent pitchers Kevin Millwood and Jarrod Washburn. The New York Post, meanwhile, reports Damon is expected to visit the Dodgers this weekend.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Frank Thomas White Sox	Athletics? Twins? Angels?	A's for the effort? Dec 16 - Oakland?s trade for Milton Bradley this week doesn?t slam the door on their pursuit of Frank Thomas. But indications are that if the A?s do add Thomas, they would have to trade an outfielder to open sufficient playing time for him, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Without Thomas, Oakland would move Nick Swisher to first base, where he and Dan Johnson would split time and also DH. But if Thomas became part of that mix, Swisher would have to go back to the outfield, where there wouldn't be enough room for him, Bradley, Mark Kotsay, Bobby Kielty and Jay Payton. Kielty would seem to be most likely to be dealt. Clubs interested in Thomas are waiting on a January medical report which is expected to clear him to run and resume most baseball activities.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Nomar Garciaparra Cubs	Astros Yankees Dodgers? Indians?	Four-team race for Nomar Dec 16 - Nomar Garciaparra likely will decide early next week where he is going to play next year, The New York Post reports. "Nomar is very pleased to have several attractive options for next season," agent Arn Tellem told the newspaper. "He is weighing all of them carefully and hopes to make the best decision for him and his family in the very near future." The Yankees would like Garciaparra, 32, to play first base and DH. The Indians and Astros are looking at him as an outfielder, and the Dodgers view him as a first base option. Garciaparra, who has a home in Manhattan Beach, Calif., met with Dodger brass for several hours Thursday. According to one of the teams interested, Garciaparra is looking for a base salary of $6 million with incentives. He made $8.25 million last year with the Cubs when he was limited to 62 games because of a groin injury. Nomar Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, said Wednesday that Garciaparra hopes to make a decision on his next destination "by the end of the week," and might decide as early as Thursday, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Garciaparra, who is testing free agency for the second straight winter, is "zeroing in on four teams," Tellem said. The Yankees, Indians and Astros are known to be three of them. The Dodgers could be the fourth. The Yankees view him as a guy who could bounce between first base and DH. The Indians want him to play right field. In Houston, he has been told he would play left field. The Dodgers are still interested in him at first base, left field or possibly both. It's believed Garciaparra is willing to take a one-year deal for between $6 million and $8 million, plus incentives.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Matt Clement Red Sox		Welcome to Seattle? Dec 16 - The Mariners are trying to acquire a starting pitcher in a trade with Boston, The Seattle Times reports. The Red sox called to offer right-hander Matt Clement for Mariners center fielder Jeremy Reed. According to multiple sources, Seattle is believed to have countered the Red Sox's offer of Clement with a request for right-hander Bronson Arroyo. One East Coast source suggested a scenario in which Boston might make a deal even if it hasn't reached resolution in efforts to re-sign free agent center fielder Johnny Damon. But that seems unlikely.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jacque Jones Twins	Royals Blue Jays? Cardinals? Pirates? Cubs?	Cub life? Dec 16 - The Cubs are not opposed to offering free agent Jacque Jones a three-year contract, despite recent published suggestions to the contrary, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. According to sources who have spoken with the Cubs, their list of desirable, left-handed-hitting outfield bats has shrunk so dramatically, they now appear willing to add a third year to their offer if that's what it takes to sign Jones. The Cubs also are now re-thinking Aubrey Huff, whose defensive questions had previously placed him lower on their shopping list. They have struck out in attempts to deal for Brad Wilkerson, Seattle's Raul Ibanez and Baltimore's Jay Gibbons.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Sidney Ponson Orioles	Phillies? Rangers? Cardinals?	No shortage of suitors Dec 16 - Sidney Ponson's agent, Barry Praver, told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Friday that Ponson probably will sign with some team next week. But an official of a team that once had interest said it would be difficult to negotiate a contract until the grievance is heard on the Orioles' attempt to void the rest of Ponson's current contract. He was due to make $10 million (with $3 million deferred without interest) in 2006 under that deal. The Rangers, Cardinals and Phillies are among the teams known to have interest in Ponson.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Darren Oliver Cubs	Mets?	Oliver the Met Dec 16 - Left-hander Darren Oliver will sign a minor-league deal with the Mets that will make him $600,000 plus incentives if he makes the team, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Oliver has a 87-79 record (5.07 ERA) in 12 seasons with six teams.