[Joey Slugs]

Wednesday, January 11
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Todd Walker Cubs		A Walk(er) out? Jan 11 - Todd Walker appears to be the odd man out in the Cubs' crowded infield. According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs have penciled in rookie Ronny Cedeno to be their starting shortstop and will go with a Neifi Perez-Jerry Hairston platoon at second base. Walker, whose $2.5 million contract option was picked up by the Cubs in early December, could get a chance to compete for the second-base job in spring training, but that appears unlikely despite the encouraging words of Cubs GM Jim Hendry. "Right now we have three second basemen," Hendry told the Tribune. "And if that's the way we go to camp, it's up to the three of them to compete for playing time."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jeff Nelson Mariners	Cardinals? Yankees?	So long, Seattle Jan 11 - Veteran reliever Jeff Nelson is considering one-year offers from the Cardinals and the Yankees, with a focus on how big a portion of the deal will be guaranteed, reports ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick. "Things are starting to solidify," said agent Mike McCann, "but we're not there yet." Nelson, 39, held right-handed batters to a .196 average and stranded 25 of 31 inherited runners last season while pitching for the Mariners. He's looking at recent deals signed by fellow sidearmers Chad Bradford (one year, $1.4 million with the Mets) and Mike Myers (two years, $2.4 million with the Yankees) as a framework for his contract.