[Joey Slugs]

Friday, December 30
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Miguel Tejada Orioles	Astros? White Sox? Phillies? Cubs Mets? Angels? Red Sox?	Tejada still upset with O's Dec 30 - Miguel Tejada's more upset now than he was three weeks ago, The Baltimore Sun reports. Unsatisfied with his team's direction, Tejada has reiterated his concerns about the Orioles' lack of improvement, suggesting that he might be better off playing elsewhere next season. "Next year, I want to be somewhere where they want to win," Tejada told The Sun before playing in a Dominican League game on Thursday night. According to The Sun, the best proposal Baltimore has received for Tejada is from Boston, who offered outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitcher Matt Clement.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Danys Baez Devil Rays	Mets	Bullpen makeover Dec 30 - In an effort to land a setup man for closer Billy Wagner, the Mets are working to finalize a deal to acquire reliever Danys Baez from Tampa Bay, The New York Post reports. The Devil Rays would receive a package headed by either Jae Seo or Aaron Heilman.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Alfonso Soriano Nationals	Red Sox?	Pitching a deal? Dec 30 - According to the Washington Post, Alfonso Soriano remains adamant about playing second base for the Nationals and won't consider moving to the outfield. His defiance has triggered calls from several interested teams (including Boston) to see if the Nationals might be willing to trade Soriano. For now, the Nats appear unwilling to part with Soriano unless they are bowled over with an offer that includes either a front-line starting pitcher, such as the Red Sox' Josh Beckett, or several younger, front-line pitching prospects. One source familiar with Washington's discussions over the last several weeks said, "There's nothing close enough to take seriously right now," but thought the Nationals would remain open to talks about trades for pitching.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Manny Ramirez Red Sox	Orioles Phillies? Mariners? Mets? Angels?	Manny obstacles to a blockbuster Dec 30 - The Mets remain interested in acquiring Manny Ramirez and are paying close attention to the Miguel Tejada situation in Baltimore, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. One possibility is a multi-team swap in which Mets pitcher Kris Benson would end up in Baltimore, Tejada in Boston and Ramirez with the Mets (with a variety of other players and cash bouncing around as well). The Red Sox have offered Ramirez and Matt Clement to the Orioles for Tejada, but there are several possible deal killers, The Boston Globe reports. Baltimore is largely opposed to dealing Tejada to an AL East team; Ramirez and Clement are owed approximately $22 million more in guaranteed money than Tejada; and Ramirez would have to approve a move to Baltimore.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
J.T. Snow Giants	Orioles? Yankees? Red Sox	Forecasting Snow Dec 30 - The Red Sox are awaiting word from 37-year-old first baseman J.T. Snow, the Boston Herald reports. Snow's agent, Dan Horwits, said a decision could come before the end of this week.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Roger Clemens Astros	Yankees? Rangers?	Rocket relaunch? Dec 30 - If Roger Clemens decides to pitch next season, the Rangers will be interested in his services, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. The Yankees already have had talks with Clemens' agents about a possible return to pinstripes, and the Red Sox also have made contact this winter. Clemens, 43, probably won't make a decision until February or March, after pitching for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Julio Lugo Devil Rays	Red Sox	Holiday package? Dec 30 - Whether Julio Lugo remains with the Devil Rays or is traded to the Red Sox appears contingent on whether Boston can work a trade for disgruntled Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, the St. Petersburg Times reports. According to the Tampa Tribuen, the Devil Rays and Red Sox have talked about a deal that could send Lugo and possibly center fielder Joey Gathright to Boston. Another potential trading partner is the Mets, who apparently like Lugo and reliever Danys Baez. Tampa Bay likely would want pitcher Aaron Heilman in return.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Brian Anderson Royals	Rangers?	Arlington road Dec 30 - Brian Anderson is next on the Rangers' winter wish list, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. After undergoing a physical, the veteran left-hander is expected to sign with Texas. Anderson, 33, had "Tommy John" surgery on July 21 and is unlikely to pitch until June. He has a career record of 82-83 with a 4.74 ERA in 13 major league seasons.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Ryan Franklin Mariners	Pirates? Astros? Royals? Nationals? Giants? Rangers? Diamondbacks? Dodgers? Phillies?	Mr. Popular Dec 30 - The Pirates have considered bidding for free-agent right-hander Ryan Franklin to add depth to the starting rotation, the Beaver County Times reports. Franklin, who became a free agent when Seattle declined to tender him a contract, is attracting plenty of interest from teams in the market for a back-end-of-the-rotation starter, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Agent Jeff Frye has been using the recent deals signed by Jason Johnson, Brett Tomko and Scott Elarton as a framework in Franklin's talks with clubs. Franklin has a 23-44 record over the past three seasons, but a lower ERA (4.49) and more innings pitched (603) than any of those three starters. Tomko signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal with the Dodgers, while Elarton agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with Kansas City. Cleveland signed Johnson for one year and $4 million.