DANA POINT, Calif. -- Chicago's interest in working a deal for Padres ace Jake Peavy isn't contingent on the re-signing of Ryan Dempster, it's in addition to Dempster.
 "They want both if they can get them," a Major League source said, "and they might be able to pull it off."
 The Cubs already have $17.75 million committed to Carlos Zambrano, who is signed through 2012, next season. Ted Lilly ($12 million), Jason Marquis ($9.8 million) and Rich Harden ($7 million club option) adds up to $46.65 million for four starters. 
 Peavy is signed through 2012 for $56 million, plus another $22 million or a $4 million buyout for 2013. His contract obligation for 2009 is $8 million. That's almost $55 million for five starters, not counting Dempster's money should the Cubs re-sign the free agent right-hander.
 And yet coming up with an acceptable trade package for Peavy might be a bigger hurdle for the Cubs than finance, especially if one of the pitchers is included in the trade.

 -- Discount the rumors that Khalil Greene might be headed to Cincinnati. The Reds, who expect Alex Gonzalez back from injury, aren't that enamored of Greene or his 2009 contract ($6.5 million).

 -- Peavy would like to pitch with his buddy Roy Oswalt in Houston. But the Astros aren't a fit personnel wise and in any case do not want to take on Peavy's $60 million salary commitment when they're already on the hook for $175 million for Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Kazuo Matsui and Oswalt, with $65 million of that for 2009 alone.

 -- The Astros were continuing negotiations Friday with Larry Reynolds regarding free agent right-hander LaTroy Hawkins, who pitched very well for Houston after coming over from the Yankees in a late season trade.

 -- The Pirates aren't likely to make a lot of moves this winter.
 "We need to acquire talent," GM Neal Huntington said. "We've started the youth movement and if the right trades are out there we will continue to go in that direction as we continue to solidify and stabilize ourselves going forward as an organization, it's something we have to continue to look it. I think right now we're not going to be primary players on either (the trade or free agent market), we made our big strikes with the trades this summer and at this point we're not ready to be key players in the free agent market so I think our timeline's going to be a little bit longer no matter what."

 DANA POINT, Calif. -- Andy Pettitte wants to come back, the question is, will the Yankees have room in their rotation?
 Pettitte confirmed on Tuesday he wants to pitch another year, but with the Yankees focusing on free agents CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and awaiting a decision on whether Mike Mussina plans to pitch another year, the team may wait to see how those possibilities play out before negotiating with Pettitte.
 New York is also one of the teams San Diego's Jake Peavy might waive his no-trade clause to join. Then there's Joba Chamberlain, and Phil Hughes is performing well in the Arizona Fall League. The club also signed Sergio Mitre to a Minor League deal.
 Pettitte, who previously said he plans to pitch for the Yankees or retire, hasn't filed for free agency yet. At this point there's no rush.

 -- Agent Arn Tellem, who represents Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina, among others, said Wednesday there has been no change in Mussina's status. The right-hander is a free agent and hasn't decided whether he will retire or pitch another season.
 As far as Giambi, Tellem said he hasn't had a conversation with Yankees GM Brian Cashman since last week.
 "I think it's early, obviously Jason would welcome the opportunity to go back if there's an interest there and I think we'll just have to see the way it plays out with what the Yankees do," Tellem said.

 -- Tellem planned to meet with Houston GM Ed Wade later Wednesday regarding free agent lefty Randy Wolf. The Astros want to re-sign Wolf, who went 6-2 with a 3.57 ERA for the Astros after coming over from San Diego in a trade.
 "I don't really have a timeline, for me my offseason preparation is not going to change regardless of where I go," Wolf said. "For me it's just making sure of the right situation."

 -- Rays manager Joe Maddon stopped by the meetings to visit with Rays Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. Maddon is getting married on Saturday before going on his honeymoon to Italy.
 Maddon still has the remnants of the mohawk haircut he got earlier this season, but that will be fixed before the nuptials.
 "I'm going to get it tightened up," Maddon said.

 DANA POINT, Calif. -- Matt Holliday made an appearance at the St. Regis Monarch Bay Resort and Spa Tuesday afternoon, following a visit with agent Scott Boras and Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd.
 Though Holliday isn't a free agent, the Rockies haven't been able to work out a long-term extension with the outfielder and other clubs expect Colorado to move Holliday and possibly third baseman Garrett Atkins this winter or during July.
 "We're keeping all of our options open," O'Dowd said. "Obviously we'd like to keep them but there are a lot of factors involved."
 The Braves, Mets and Reds are among the teams looking for power hitting left fielders, but it is unlikely the Reds would trade for Holliday for a one-year rental. New York or Atlanta are more likely fits, but the Braves are first trying to fill their pitching needs and if a trade for Jake Peavy goes through they may not have the package or the money to go after Holliday.
 The Mets are also focusing on pitching first and in any case may not have the prospects to entice O'Dowd to deal.

 -- Padres GM Kevin Towers confirmed he has received inquiries regarding shortstop Khalil Greene, but declined to name which teams have expressed interest in the 29-year-old.
 St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, Cincinnati, Toronto and Minnesota are among the teams seeking shortstop help.
 "There's ballclubs out there looking for shortstops and if we move Khalil we'll be looking for one as well," Towers said. "There's interested parties out there in him but for us we have a mind to know that we would have a void there as well if we should move him."
 The Padres tried to sign Greene to an extension last winter.
 "We talked about trying to extend him into his free agent years and we were unable to do so," Towers said. "That's a strong sign right there that the likelihood of retaining him beyond '09 may be difficult. As in Jake (Peavy)'s situation, not that we really want to really move Khalil but we're sure at a point now where we're open to listening. There's some ball clubs that have expressed interest."

 -- Towers said he is continuing discussions with interested teams involving Peavy but reiterated he didn't expect any trade involving the right-hander before the meetings adjourn on Thursday.
 "I'd like to be at the point at the end of these meetings where at least I have an idea of what I can get in return for him and if we're comfortable with it it's really going to take more time to go through Jake and through the agent if there's concessions to be made," Towers said. "I think us moving him here by Thursday, I don't see that happening. We're still in the process of exchanging names and finding out who's available and who's not. Some are more aggressive than others. I'm encouraged, I wouldn't say were at a point right now where there's a deal that's presented itself that we're willing to do. But I will say we've made progress since Saturday. I'm not at the point where I'm ready to pull a trigger on anything but I'm at least heading in the right direction."

 -- Chris Carpenter's surgery doesn't mean the Cardinals plan to change their stance on Mark Mulder, a free agent after the Cards didn't pick up his 2009 option.
 "Right now our focus is going to be more on trying to find the right fit, someone that has shown or proven to be an innings eater the last few years," St. Louis GM John Mozeliak said. "I think for us to go down the path as we did the last couple of years with trying to find some lightning-in-a-bottle type guys is probably not the way we're going to look at it. So, a little bit more reassurance in terms of consistent innings producers."

 -- The Mets are among the teams interested in free agent left fielder Raul Ibanez.

 -- Outfielder So Taguchi is looking for a team after being released by the Philadelphia.
 "So's a true professional, we want to give him every opportunity to go and get himself a job," Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said.

 -- Amaro's been so busy since being named GM three days ago that he "hasn't seen the back of my eyelids yet" but he does hope to sit down with Pat Burrell's representatives soon. Should Burrell leaves via free agency the Phillies will need a starting left fielder.
 "If Pat's not with us we're going to look to add to the middle of our lineup or hope that people from within can take that job in left field," Amaro said. "Possibly a guy like Greg Dobbs or (Matt) Stairs or (Geoff) Jenkins. We might have to get it done from within."

 -- Houston GM Ed Wade planned to meet with Mark Rogers, the agent for free agent left-hander Mike Hampton, Tuesday evening. Wade plans to meet with the representatives for another free agent lefty, Randy Wolf, on Wednesday.

 DANA POINT, Calif. -- San Diego general manager Kevin Towers has been busy talking with various teams interested in Jake Peavy but said Monday he does not expect any trade to happen before the general managers meetings conclude on Thursday.
 "Anything's possible, but I'd say it's unlikely," said Towers, who arrived at the St. Regis Monarch Bay Resort and Spa on Saturday to get a head start on things.
 Towers confirmed the seven teams -- the Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Astros, Braves, Angels and Yankees -- that Peavy would consider waiving his no-trade clause to join, but added that Peavy's preference is to go to a National League team.
 Towers said it won't be easy working a deal involving Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner. The pitcher is due $59 million over the next four years in addition to $22 million or a $4 million buyout for 2013, and Towers isn't going to give him away.
 "If we trade it's going to have to be a lot (in return), it's going to be significant," he said.
 If the return is right Towers would even deal Peavy to another NL West team like the Dodgers.
 "I'm not opposed to it," he said. "To me it's all about being happy with what you get back.  It may be that we work something out or it may be that he's our Opening Day pitcher."

 -- Towers confirmed he had spoken with the agent for free agent closer Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader.
 "I talked to [his agent's] about a week ago, but we're trying to keep that one as confidential as we can because of who he is," Towers said. "He did elect for free agency. I think there's a desire on both sides to work something out. I can't tell you when that's going to happen. My hope is that he comes back."
 The Padres made an unspecified offer to Hoffman two weeks ago. Hoffman earned $7.5 million last year in the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract.

 -- The Padres must make a decision on whether to pick up Brian Giles' $9 million option for 2009 or pay the right fielder a $3 million buyout.
 "We have until Saturday to make a decision," Towers said. "We're leaning toward exercising the option, probably before the weekend."

 -- As impressive as he looked working out of the bullpen in the playoffs, it would seem logical that the Rays would consider David Price as a closer possibility.
        Price has an outstanding slider and fastball, but his other pitches need work. Teams occasionally take starting pitchers with two dominant pitches and move them to closer, as Houston did with Brad Lidge when Lidge was in the Minor Leagues and Rays Senior Vice President Gerry Hunsicker was GM of the Astros.
 The Rays, however, have no intention of keeping Price in the pen.
 "He's a guy we feel will be a top of the rotation starter for a long time," one club source said.

 -- Speaking of closers, many observers think the Mets will get in on the Francisco Rodriguez chase with Billy Wagner on the shelf.
 "I'm not going to be quoted on that because I don't want to tip my hand," Mets GM Omar Minaya said.

 -- The Astros might be a fit for reliever Trever Miller, a free agent after his option was not picked up by the Rays Monday. The Astros tried to re-sign Miller last winter but the left-hander signed with Tampa Bay instead.

 -- No word from the Blue Jays Monday night on whether pitcher A.J. Burnett had decided to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, as many suspect Burnett will this week.

 The New York Mets are leading the National League Wild Card standings, but one scout who has followed the team lately predicts the Mets would have trouble getting past the first round of the playoffs.
 "Nothing wrong with their offense, and you've gotta figure with (Johan) Santana in a short series they would be tough," one NL scout said. "But that bullpen has problems. It's not just Billy Wagner being out, most of their guys aren't pitching as well as they were earlier this season. They don't have a go to guy right now."
 Tired arms is one theory. Whatever the cause, there's no denying the results. The Met bullpen has 29 blown saves on the season, including six since Aug. 23.
 Sunday's loss at Atlanta was typical of what's been happening to the Mets all too often.
 Leading 4-3 in the seventh and needing nine outs to secure a win for Mike Pelfrey, Mets manager Jerry Manuel tried six relievers to finish the job. The Mets wound up losing 7-6.
 "They're not getting it done with expanded rosters," the scout said. "I don't see how they'll do it in the playoffs when they're back to 25."

 -- Another team that might have to lean heavy on the bullpen in October is the Cubs, at least when Rich Harden pitches. The right-hander's high pitch counts usually mean Harden is gone before the seventh, making a longer bridge to closer Kerry Wood.
 With workhorses like Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly having Harden go five may not be a huge factor for the Cubs, but it's a situation they'll monitor closely and one that will surely go into Lou Piniella's planning of the playoff roster.

 -- Milton Bradley went into the final week of the season with a chance to lead the league in hitting, on-base and slugging. No American Leaguer has done that since George Brett in 1980. But that may not mean he's coming back to the Rangers next season.
  Bradley is a free agent and has had a hard time staying in the Rangers lineup all season because of a series of injuries. He hasn't gone on the disabled list and nobody doubts that Bradley has truly been hurt. But his inability to stay in the lineup regularly has left the Rangers strongly re-considering the wisdom of signing Bradley to a multi-year deal. Bradley has had 500 at-bats in a season just once in his career.

 -- Now there's an oddity you don't see every year. If the season ended today only five of the top 15 leaders in wins in the Major Leagues would be in the playoffs: Boston's 18-game winner Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ryan Dempster (17-6) of the Cubs, Gavin Floyd (16-8) of the White Sox, Ted Lilly (16-9) of the Cubs and Joe Saunders (16-7) of the Angels.

 -- Injuries undermined Cleveland's chances of repeating as AL Central champions this year, but the Indians played much better in the second half and have a strong cast coming back. Even so don't be surprised if GM Mark Shapiro makes a lot of moves involving the position players this offseason. With the exception of Grady Sizemore in center field and Travis Hafner at designated hitter, nothing is certain.

 -- When the Astros acquired LaTroy Hawkins from the Yankees on July 30 for Minor League infielder Matt Cusick the deal attracted little attention. But Hawkins has pitched so well the Astros would like to bring the right-hander back for another season if the price is right. Hawkins, 2-0 with a save and a 0.00 ERA in 20 games, has struck out 22 and walked just four in 17.0 innings. He'll be a free agent at season's end after making $3.75 million this year.

 The high expectations many observers had for Toronto coming out of Spring Training didn't pan out, but the Blue Jays' impressive performance in the second half could mean the return of both general manager J.P. Ricciardi and manager Cito Gaston for 2009.
 Ricciardi said early last month that Gaston would be back in 2009, not surprising considering how well the club has played (45-32) since Gaston took over on June 20, the third-best record in the league during that span.
 Gaston said on Wednesday that he plans to sit down with Ricciardi this week to discuss the details of his deal, as well as potential contracts for members of Toronto's coaching staff. As far as Gaston knows, Ricciardi will be back as general manager next season. Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey remained noncommittal on that issue.
 "As I said at the beginning, everybody is going to be evaluated at the end," Godfrey said. "J.P. is the one who announced that Cito would be coming back. That should have been done at the end of the season, but that's something that I concur with."
 Riccciardi's contract expires following 2010 season, and while the GM was under fire earlier this season after the Blue Jays started slowly, subsequent events would seem to indicate the organization won't be making a change this winter.
 Entering play Thursday the Blue Jays' staff led the Major Leagues with a 3.44 ERA and a .311 opponents on-base percentage. No American League team has allowed fewer hits or racked up more complete games and among AL teams only division leader Tampa Bay's staff could match Toronto's in batting average against (.245).
 The offense has unquestionably performed better since Gaston took over and the Jays have one of the top five records in baseball since the break (34-23).
 Considering the caliber of play in an AL East division that will likely produce two playoff teams this year, plus the fact that Toronto lost 15 players to the disabled list for a combined 700-plus games and yet is 81-71 is a compelling case for staying the course for 2009.
 But that decision hasn't officialy been made yet.
 "We'll be talking through things," Godfrey said. "I have some opinions and I will be discussing that with the ownership of the club, and we'll go from there. I've always been a supporter of J.P.'s."

 -- The Tigers essentially installed Brandon Inge as their everyday catcher when they traded Ivan Rodriguez near the end of July. But by far the most impressive development out of the September struggles in Detroit has been the play of call-up Dusty Ryan, who was off the prospect radar until he hit respectably with some power at Double-A Erie.
 Ryan's power bat and Pudge-like strong arm were well-known, but the 24-year-old has made an impression on Tigers' pitchers with his ability to handle a game. Manager Jim Leyland admitted last weekend that these final weeks are a showcase for Ryan to show what he can do; it's now a real possibility that Ryan could learn on the job next year behind Inge in Detroit.

 -- The South Florida Sun-Sentinel quotes reliever Kevin Gregg as saying he doubts he will be with the Marlins in 2009.
 Considering the 30-year-old will be going into his third season of arbitration, and he's eligible for free agency after 2009, this isn't that unexpected. Gregg is making $2.5 million this season, and it has been pretty much understood from those around the club daily that he will likely be traded in the offseason.
        The Marlins payroll is expected to rise in 2009, but not substantially more than the $22 million this season. With the team having more than 15 players up for arbitration, there will be turnover. For instance, first baseman Mike Jacobs, who has more than 30 home runs this season, is expected to see his salary rise to $4 million in his first season of arbitration. Dan Uggla will see his payday increase to more than $5 million next year. The Marlins most likely will trade Jacobs, and lefty starting pitcher Scott Olsen. The team still has to decide if it will try to retain Uggla.

 -- The Padres are expected to non-tender catcher Josh Bard this winter and give Nick Hundley an opportunity to start in 2009. Bard is out for the year with a strained triceps but has performed well when healthy. He'll get a look on what is expected to be a thin market for catchers this winter.
 Look for the Padres to make an offseason run at Brad Ausmus, who will become a free agent this winter and if he doesn't return to Houston (not expected) he may be convinced to come back for one more season in San Diego, where he makes his home.

 With Billy Wagner sidelined for perhaps all of 2009 due to elbow surgery, expect the Mets to be major players in the bidding for Francisco Rodriguez this winter when the premier closer hits free agency.
 The Angels want the 26-year-old right-hander, who leads the Major Leagues with 55 saves, to come back next season. But they will likely have to outbid the Mets, who have a major hole to fill and money to spend.
 The Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, Indians and Cubs -- imagine a Carlos Marmol/K-Rod tandem for the eighth and ninth innings -- are also believed to be considering K-Rod as a target for 2009. 
 "I think there will be more teams going after him than (CC) Sabathia," one Major League executive said. "A lot of teams need closers, and he's going to be the best of the free agents."
 Beyond Rodriguez, the free agent class of closers will likely include Kerry Wood, Brian Fuentes, Jason Isringhausen, Todd Jones, Eric Gagne, Trevor Hoffman (though he's likely to return to the Padres), Eddie Guardado and Brandon Lyon. Milwaukee's Salomon Torres could become a free agent if the Brewers decide to pay his $300,000 buyout instead of picking up his $3.75 million option for 2009.
 
 -- Veteran infielder Wes Helms has already expressed to management his desire to return to the Marlins next season. The 32-year-old has been a valuable option at third base or first base. At this stage of his career, he has found a comfort level with his role, and he's provided leadership. Helms is making $2.4 million this season, and for the cost-conscious Marlins, if a reasonable salary can be agreed upon, he would like to stay in South Florida.
 The Marlins have more than 15 players up for salary arbitration after the season, and the club has tough decisions to make regarding who stays and goes. Helms' situation may come down to what the team plans on doing with 41-year-old outfielder Luis Gonzalez, who has offered invaluable leadership and professionalism to a young squad. Gonzalez is making $2 million this year, and he is a free agent after the season. The team may decide to keep one of the two.

 -- Jose Valverde is on a pace to lead the National League in saves for a second consecutive year. The Astros won their arbitration case with Valverde during the offseason, but hope to avoid that process again this winter by agreeing to terms with the 28-year-old right-hander on an extension. Those negotiations should prove interesting as Valverde, who is making $4.7 million this season, is in line for a healthy raise and is seeking a multi-year contract.

 Team doctors will examine Carlos Zambrano on Wednesday, but one veteran scout who has seen the Cubs right-hander pitch many times this season says Zambrano is showing all the signs of a pitcher with a tired arm.
 "(Against Houston Tuesday night) he threw mostly fastballs, he didn't throw many breaking pitches that I saw," the scout said. "His velocity is down, and his arm angle has dropped, those are the kind of things that tell me he's in a dead arm phase. Whether it's because of injury, innings or something else, I couldn't tell you, but the signals I get from watching him pitch lately is his arm is tired."
 Zambrano officially left Tuesday's start after five innings because of soreness in his right arm. The Cubs had given Zambrano two extra days of rest since his last start because he was feeling some fatigue in his arm in August, which resulted in a 1-1 record and 7.43 ERA in five games.
 Zambrano pitched six innings or more in 17 of first 19 starts, but he's gone as many as six innings just twice in his last six starts. He has averaged 5.1 innings per start during that span.
 "He told our pitching coach he wasn't feeling good," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said after Tuesday's game. "He went up with the trainer, and he'll see Dr. [Stephen] Gryzlo tomorrow, and we'll know more by then."
 Zambrano, who is 13-5 with a 3.58 ERA this season, spent time on the disabled list in June because of soreness in his shoulder.
 "If he can pitch, he'll pitch, and if he can't, we'll put [Sean] Marshall in the rotation and go from there," Piniella said.

 -- The Orioles fined Fernando Cabrera an undisclosed amount after he flipped the ball at manager Dave Trembley when coming off the mound. Cabrera has likely surrendered his chance to fill a role in Trembley's bullpen next season.

 -- The Brewers believe the groin issue that forced Ben Sheets from his last start after five innings is not as serious as the groin strain that caused the right-hander to miss the final weeks of the 2007 season. Sheets is walking gingerly but said Tuesday he expects to be able to make his next scheduled start on Saturday.

 -- Ryan Dempster (15-2, 2.95 ERA), Edinson Volquez (16-5, 3.04), Armando Galarraga (12-4, 3.17) and John Danks (10-8, 3.44) are among the top 25 in the Major Leagues in ERA this season (through Tuesday's games).
 That quartet has something else in common: The Texas Rangers on their resume.
 Dempster was selected by Texas in the third round of the '95 draft and was later dealt to Florida for pitcher John Burkett. Volquez and Minor League lefty Danny Herrera went to Cincinnati for outfielder Josh Hamilton on Dec. 21, 2007. The Tigers got Galarraga from the Rangers on Feb. 5, 2008 for outfielder Michael Hernandez. The White Sox obtained Danks and pitchers Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner for pitcher Brandon McCarthy and outfielder David Paisano on Dec. 23, 2006.

 -- The Yankees acquired Pudge Rodriguez from Detroit on July 30 on the assumption that he would proved an offensive upgraded at catcher over Jose Molina, but it hasn't worked out that way so far.
 Rodriguez, who was batting .295 for the Tigers at the time the deal went down, is hitting just .219 (14-for-64) with two RBIs and a .265 on-base percentage
 "It's been tough," Rodriguez said. "These streaks happen."
 Lately manager Joe Girardi has split the catching duties, with Molina catching Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina and Rodriguez usually working when someone else starts.

 -- Nate McLouth's breakout season offensively has overshadowed another outstanding aspect of the Pirate center fielder's game. McLouth's defense has been noted by several scouts and industry types and some feel McLouth should win a Gold Glove. McLouth is one of three NL outfielders with at least 1,000 innings not to have committed at least one error this year, and the only center fielder among that trio that also includes Hunter Pence and Ryan Braun. McLouth's range factor among NL outfielders with at least 1,000 innings ranks fourth behind Aaron Rowand, Carlos Beltran and Lastings Milledge.

 The Cubs have the best record in baseball and a 6 1/2-game cushion in the National League Central Division race, but some scouts who have seen both teams recently predict Chicago might have trouble getting past the first round of the playoffs.
 Based on Friday's won-loss records, the Cubs would host Arizona in the Division Series, with the Wild Card Brewers heading to New York to take on the Mets.
 The Diamondbacks are near the bottom of the league in hitting (12th) and fielding (13th). They have the worst record of any of the eight teams currently leading a playoff race. They have played only .500 ball (12-12) since the trade deadline. The Cubs won four of six meetings between the two teams this year, including a sweep at Wrigley Field back in May.
 So, assuming both teams hold on in September and face each other in October, why do the scouts think the Diamondbacks could have the Cubs' number again this year?
 "Pitching," one NL scout said. "They can throw (Brandon) Webb, (Dan) Haren, (Doug) Davis and Randy Johnson. Any one of them is capable of dominating. The Cubs have great pitching too, but I could see Webb and Haren coming up big on the road and then the whole thing would swing Arizona's way."
 Another scout agreed.
 "All the pressure would be on the Cubs, not the Diamondbacks," he said. "The Diamondbacks have had a dozen guys on the DL, they'll get (Justin) Upton back soon, and their rotation is finally healthy. I could see (the first round) setting up well for Arizona. If I'm the Cubs, I'd rather face anybody but the Diamondbacks."
 
 -- The Red Sox would like to strengthen their lefty relief options beyond Hideki Okajima, and are among the teams eyeing Colorado's Brian Fuentes. Fuentes was placed on the bereavement list Tuesday and is expected to be activated this weekend. It is unclear that the Rockies would be willing to move Fuentes since they are only six games out in the National League West race.

 -- More than one scout is scratching his had at Dusty Baker's insistence on playing center fielder Corey Patterson every day. The Reds center fielder is batting .197, the lowest average in the Major Leagues for players with at least 275 plate appearances.
 "I know they're not deep (in the outfield) and he wants to evaluate guys, but he's got to know Patterson by now," said a veteran National League scout. "They've got other young guys they should be getting a good look at now."

 -- The Red Sox and White Sox had scouts at Minute Maid Park Wednesday night watching Houston's Roy Oswalt beat Cincinnati, though it may have been a coincidence. The Astros aren't interested in trading Oswalt, and the right-hander has a full no-trade clause anyway.

 -- The Phillies have acquired Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays, according to foxsports.com, though neither side was confirming any deal Friday morning. Stairs was designated for assignment following Thursday night's game, and a trade to a contender was expected to be finalized by Saturday. Philadelphia as a destination makes sense, as the Phillies have been looking for a lefty bat and have also been considering Mike Lamb, recently DFA'd by Minnesota. The Blue Jays will use Stairs' roster spot to give top prospect Travis Snider an audition.

 -- The Angels' search for shortstop help has the team considering several outside options, including Toronto's Marco Scutaro, John McDonald or David Eckstein. Maicer Izturis went on the disabled list Aug. 13 with a thumb injury, leaving the Angels with only Erick Aybar at the position.

 -- Yankees right-hander Carl Pavano, who gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings last Saturday in his first start since April 9, 2007, is available. Pavano is in the final year of a four-year, $40 million contract.

 Look for third baseman Mike Lamb, designated for assignment Monday by Minnesota, to land somewhere. Lamb could be a good fit for a few National League contenders looking for a left-handed bat off the bench.
 The Twins signed Lamb to a two-year, $6.6 million free agent contract last winter, and are on the hook for the $3.8 million remaining on that obligation and have 10 days to trade or release him. Lamb, a career .277 hitter including .281 in four years with Houston in the National League, hit .233 with a homer and 32 RBIs for Minnesota.
 Adding Lamb, however, could be a smart move for a few NL teams looking to strengthen their offense for a stretch drive.
 The Phillies might be an option.
 Though they are set at third with Pedro Feliz and Greg Dobbs, Dobbs and Andy Tracy are typically the only left-handed options off the bench for manager Charlie Manuel since Geoff Jenkins went on the disabled list. Lamb, a career .250 pinch hitter, has also filled in at all four infield positions and both corner outfield spots.
 The Cubs are another, if less likely, possibility. Daryle Ward is Lou Piniella's lone lefty option off the bench when Jim Edmonds starts in center field. An added bonus for the Cubs -- Lamb is 9-for-22 (.409) against St. Louis since the Cardinals moved into new Busch Stadium and .286 overall.
 The Mets and Brewers are also expected to consider Lamb assuming he clears waivers and can be signed for the Major League minimum.

 -- While Jim Leyland might be interested in managing another five years, rumors that the Detroit manager is seeking a five-year contract extension have been misinterpreted.
 A year ago, Leyland turned down a multi-year extension and negotiated another season onto his previous contract instead, saying that he didn't want to bind himself or the team into an obligation that either side might not want in the future.
 Another one-year extension will be the likely outcome at this season's end too, unless the team decides not to bring him back. Leyland has said he wants to come back, but he doesn't want to discuss his contract situation.

 -- Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said top prospects and Bronze Medal Olympians catcher Lou Marson and infielder Jason Donald aren't guaranteed to receive September call-ups. The decision will come down to need. The Phillies don't want a player sitting on the bench for a month when playing time is more beneficial. Instead such players may be slated for the Arizona Fall League, so resting up for that may be the course the Phils take.