MLB 2005-2006 Offseason Thread

[Joey Slugs]

Tuesday, December 6
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Trevor Hoffman Padres	Braves Red Sox Indians Padres Mets	Hoffman, Indians close Dec 6 - Trevor Hoffman could be only a day or two away from signing with the Indians, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. But his agent, Rick Thurman, had meetings scheduled Monday night with both the Red Sox and Hoffman's longtime team, the Padres. There have been no indications that San Diego has increased its original offer to Hoffman (two years, $10 million) since it was tendered almost a month ago. Meetings between Hoffman's agents and the Padres Monday night were characterized as "unproductive," ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. And if the Indians give Hoffman a guaranteed third year, he could sign there as early as Tuesday evening.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Manny Ramirez Red Sox	Phillies? Mariners? Mets? Angels?	Manny suitors Dec 6 - According to The Boston Globe, there is substance to the rumor that the Red Sox are working on a three-way deal with the Diamondbacks and Angels. The Angels would get Ramirez, the D-Backs would get prospects from the Angels and the Red Sox would receive a package of players that includes third baseman Troy Glaus. Red Sox officials, The Globe reports, met with at least eight teams on Monday. The Mets, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports, continue to talk to the Red Sox about Ramirez, and they're asking them to take second baseman Kaz Matsui in the deal along with Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and other prospects.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kevin Millwood Indians	Mariners	$44M-illwood? Dec 6 - At the end of Monday's winter meetings in Dallas, Mariners GM Bill Bavasi declared there was "nothing imminent," though two agents said the Mariners had offered free-agent starter a four-year deal believed to be worth about $44 million, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Javier Vazquez Diamondbacks	Mets? Tigers Nationals	Detroit breakdown Dec 6 - Javier Vazquez exercised his right to decline a trade to Detroit, thus killing what the Diamondbacks thought would be a blockbuster for center fielder Curtis Granderson and right-hander Joel Zumaya, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. Arizona GM Josh Byrnes says eight to 10 teams continued to have serious interest in Vazquez, The Arizona Republic reports. Any team interested in Vazquez would have to pick up the remainder of his salary, about $12M for each of the next two seasons.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Bobby Abreu Phillies	Cubs Astros Red Sox Blue Jays	Just asking, thanks Dec 6 - The Phillies and Blue Jays explored a potential Bobby Abreu-for-Vernon Wells swap at the GM meetings, and those discussions have resumed at the winter meetings, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. But since the Phillies want pitching if they trade Abreu, the names of Miguel Batista and Gustavo Chacin also might have to be tossed into the conversation. The Red Sox (possibly for Matt Clement and Trot Nixon) and Astros (potentially for Brandon Backe and Chad Qualls) also are showing renewed interest in Abreu. The Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Cubs learned Monday that they would need to include pitcher Mark Prior in any deal for Abreu.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Adam Eaton Padres	Padres	Good Eaton Dec 6 - The Rangers met with the Padres on Monday at the winter meetings in Dallas to discuss a deal that would send starting pitcher Adam Eaton to Texas for catcher Gerald Laird and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Bill Mueller Red Sox	Giants? Dodgers Pirates	Bucs make a play Dec 6 - The Pirates have extended a two-year offer to third baseman Bill Mueller, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Mueller, 34, has narrowed his choices to the Pirates and Dodgers. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Twins are out of the running, but also mentions the Giants as a contender.