[Joey Slugs]

Thursday, January 5
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Miguel Tejada Orioles	Astros? White Sox? Phillies? Cubs Mets? Angels? Red Sox?	Miggy trade talks cool Jan 5 - Talks between the Red Sox and Orioles about a Manny Ramirez-Miguel Tejada trade have stalled, the Boston Herald reports. The Red Sox have offered Ramirez and pitcher Matt Clement, but the Orioles want third base prospect Andy Marte in the deal. At least two teams, the Herald reports, have offered the Orioles a more attractive package. Ramirez's desire to have two option years picked up at $20M each is another potential deal breaker.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
David Wells Red Sox	Dodgers	Three-way deal for Wells? Jan 5 - The Red Sox have talked to the Dodgers and A's about a three-way deal for David Wells, The Boston Globe reports. The Red Sox would receive a corner outfielder from the Dodgers and a player from Oakland, the A's would get prospects, and the Dodgers would land Wells.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jeff Weaver Dodgers	Dodgers	Dodger deal unlikely Jan 5 - The Dodgers appear unlikely to re-sign starter Jeff Weaver, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. GM Ned Colletti on Tuesday spoke with Weaver's agent, Scott Boras, and reported no progress. "We have a difference of opinion and philosophy," Colletti told the newspaper. "And unless we find some common ground, that (situation) may pass us by."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jose Contreras White Sox		Trade possibility Jan 5 - According to the Chicago Tribune, there's still a possibility that the White Sox will trade Jose Contreras -- for pitching. The right-hander is not signed or under team control past next season and is the only one of six White Sox starting pitchers not under team control for two more seasons. "I'm willing to listen to anyone [about trades] because of the contractual situation," GM Kenny Williams told the newspaper. "Something that would help us win this year and also set us up for the future. In my mind, [a trade] would be for pitching." White Sox management and Contreras' agent Jaime Torres have not talked in more than a week, apparently stuck on the number of years for a deal.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Corey Koskie Blue Jays	Twins	No Twin spin for Koskie Jan 5 - Even though the Blue Jays have offered Corey Koskie back to the Twins at a discount price, the trade talks have been officially pronounced dead, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. "I don't see a deal happening with Minnesota," said Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi. The Blue Jays were willing to pay at least $3 million of the $11.5 million Koskie is owed for the next two seasons, and Toronto wasn't asking for premium prospects in return. But the Twins have already reached their projected 2006 budget limit, and they weren't eager to bring back Koskie if it meant having to trade Kyle Lohse to clear payroll.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Danys Baez Devil Rays	Mets?	To deal or not to deal? Jan 5 - The Mets are still talking with the Devil Rays about Danys Baez, but given that they no longer have Jae Seo and won't deal Aaron Heilman, they probably lack the trading chips, Newsday reports. Rays vice president Andrew Friedman is still trying to swing a deal, the Tampa Tribune reports. "With the free-agent period winding down, our trade discussions are getting more pointed," Friedman told the newspaper. "If we can make a trade that fits our direction to go forward, we'll do it. If not, we're content with the way our '06 roster is taking form."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kazuo Matsui Mets	Red Sox?	Kaz and effect Jan 5 - By signing Bret Boone to a minor-league contract, the Mets have made it clear that Kaz Matsui's hold on second base is a tenuous one, the St. Petersburg Times reports. According to Newsday, the Mets have talked about sending Matsui to Boston for Alex Cora and have told teams they'd pay $5 million of Matsui's $8 million salary. One competing GM said if they paid $6 million, they'd find a fit.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Melvin Mora Orioles		Mora process begins Jan 5 - The Orioles have had preliminary discussions with the agent for All-Star third baseman Melvin Mora about a contract extension, the Baltimore Sun reports. Mora, whose contract expires after 2006, said late last season that he wanted to have the contract issue settled before the season begins. Mora wants to stay in Baltimore, and indications are that the Orioles will work to grant him his wish.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Pedro Astacio Padres	Rockies? Padres?	Rocky vote for Pedro Jan 5 - The Padres have ended their effort to re-sign Pedro Astacio, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. According to the Rocky Mountain News reports, the Rockies are believed to be offering a little more than $1 million to Astacio, who went 53-48 for the Rockies from 1997-2001. He made $800,000 last year pitching for the Rangers and Padres.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Aaron Heilman Mets	Devil Rays?	Ray of hope? Jan 5 - After trading Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack to the Dodgers for relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll, the Mets suddenly have a few extra bullpen parts -- and that could free them to deal pitcher Aaron Heilman, the St. Petersburg Times reports. Heilman, whom New York sees as a reliever, is the Devil Rays' primary target and has requested a trade if he is not a starter. He was 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA last season in 53 outings, including seven starts. According to Newsday, the Mets have no intention of dealing Heilman.