Nate Robertson wants to talk extension

Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson, coming off a 9-13 season with a 4.76 ERA in 30 starts, wants to talk to Detroit about a long term contract extension.

His agent, Steve Canter, told the Tigers that Robertson would like to get a deal done prior to the 2008 season.

Dodgers sign veteran backstop Bennett

The Dodgers, after Mike Lieberthal departed via free agency, were looking for a backup catcher behind starter Russell Martin. Yesterday, they found that backup in 35-year old Gary Bennett who spent the last 2 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bennett, who was named in the Mitchell Report, admitted using HGH and gave the Dodgers a "heads-up" prior to the release of the report.

Pirates after Estrada?

The Pirates are looking for a veteran catcher that can split time behind the plate with their current catcher Ronny Paulino. The name that they may go after....Johnny Estrada, who was non-tendered by the Mets after being dealt to them by the Brewers.

Estrada made $3.4M last season and is probably going to command a little more than that in free agency, possibly in the $4M/year range.

Astros, Cards interested in Prior

Mark Prior is certainly getting a lot of interest around the major leagues, even for a guy who hasn't been healthy for the last few seasons.

The Astros already have an offer out to the right-hander, even after signing minor league right-hander, and former Padre, Jack Cassell.

Larry Borowski reports, that after the Cardinals traded Jim Edmonds, it may have freed up cash to spend on another starter or even a risk with high reward pitcher like Prior.

Nady returning to San Diego?

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres could pull off a trade that would bring outfielder Xavier Nady back to San Diego. The Pirates are said to be interested in backup catcher Michael Barrett, but I doubt the Pirates will make a straight up trade with the Padres.

Rusch still unsigned?

12.18.07 12:01am PST

Glendon Rusch's agency confirms that he became a Padre as of last Friday.

12.17.07 9:09pm PST

On Friday, Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports wrote that the Padres had signed free agent left-hander Glendon Rusch. Now, according to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle, Rusch has not signed the minor league offer from San Diego and has an open offer from the Astros.

12.14.07 2:41pm PST

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports checks in, the San Diego Padres have signed left-hander Glendon Rusch to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Rusch is trying to make a comeback after being diagnosed with a life threatening blood clot in his right lung last year.

Melvin gets 3-year extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks have come to an agreement on a 3-year contract extension with Manager of the Year Bob Melvin.

The extension will be through 2010.

Phillies could sign Sidney Ponson?

Not sure if this is a desperation move on the part of the Phillies, but they are apparently looking into signing free agent Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal.

Ponson is currently pitching in the Dominican Winter League and is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 2 starts.

The Phillies have also started talks with free agent center fielder Mike Cameron. The two sides have had previous discussions, but Cameron was looking for more years than the Phillies were willing to give. With the departure of Aaron Rowand, that apparently has changed.

Mariners look elsewhere for pitching

After losing out to the Dodgers for Hiroki Kuroda, the Mariners could pursue a trade for Baltimores' Erik Bedard but could also look into free agents Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva.

Mariners have Blanton on their radar

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Mariners could be interested in trading for A's right-hander Joe Blanton.

Olney says a package from Seattle would have to center around Adam Jones.

Pettite admits to using HGH

After having his name released on the Mitchell Report, Andy Pettitte admitted that he used HGH twice back in 2002 while trying to recover from an elbow injury.

"If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize," Pettitte said in the statement.

"I accept responsibility for those two days. Everything else written or said about me knowingly using illegal drugs is nonsense, wrong and hurtful.

"I have the utmost respect for baseball and have always tried to live my life in a way that would be honorable. I wasn't looking for an edge; I was looking to heal."

Tony Clark may not return to Arizona

Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks have pulled their 2-year contract offer, to Tony Clark, off the table.

Clark confirmed that, when he spoke with Arizona GM Josh Byrnes, that they would need Clarks' roster spot to make their pending trades work. Knowing that information, it seems like the DBacks are ready to go in another direction.

As a Padre fan, if I'm Kevin Towers, I'm on the phone with Clark's agent TODAY. He's still a very good hitter and a guy who's a very good defensive replacement when Adrian Gonzalez needs a day off.

Dodgers sign Kuroda

12.15.07 2:00pm

Tony Jackson finally confirms what we all already knew. The Dodgers signed Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a 3-year deal reportedly worth $36M - $40M.

12.12.07 8:50pm PST

Reports out of Japan say that Japanese free agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda will sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, though Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti says he has yet to hear from Kuroda's agent.

Jays, Tigers interested in Olivo

12.15.07 11:46am PST

The Toronto Blue Jays have thrown their hat in the ring for the services for free agent catcher Miguel Olivo.

Olivo makes more more sense for Toronto because he'd definetely get more playing there than in Detroit.

12.14.07 1:09pm PST

According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Detroit Tigers have contacted Martin Arburua, the agent for free agent catcher Miguel Olivo. Arburua said he's received phone calls from 5 or 6 different teams regarding Olivo.

Braves interested in Fuentes

The Atlanta Braves could be interested in the Rockies' left-hander Brian Fuentes, especially since Braves' left-hander Mike Gonzalez will be out until at least June after having Tommy John Surgery.

Cameron, Padres part ways

Prior to the Padres landing Jim Edmonds, the agent for Mike Cameron (Mike Nicotera) called off the negotiations with San Diego. The two sides agreed on 2 years but were far apart on the dollar amount.

“In the end we were just not able to reach agreement with the Padres,” agent Mike Nicotera said. “They are moving in another direction as are we. There was just never a meeting of the minds with him. It was certainly amicable.”

The teams interested in Cameron include the White Sox, Twins, Rangers, Brewers, Phillies, and Braves. Ken Rosenthal checks in on the same subject and adds the Cardinals, Reds, and Yankees as possibilities as well.

Nats interested in Prior, Jennings

The Washington Nationals, still interested in obtaining starting pitching, have made it known that they are interested in both Mark Prior and Jason Jennings.

Both pitchers coming off shoulder injuries would be a risk for any team, but there are teams that think that the reward highly outweighs the risk.

Rockies sign Vizcaino

12.14.07 9:08pm PST

Tracy Ringolsby makes it official, Vizcaino has signed with the Rockies.

12.13.05 9:08pm PST

The Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates both had interest in former Yankee reliever Luis Vizcaino, but according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have been told that they are out of the running for his services.

Knowing that information, it looks like the Rockies will land the right-handed reliever.

Padres deal for Edmonds

The Padres, needing to fill their vacant center field position, chose former Angel and now former Cardinal Jim Edmonds. The Padres dealt minor league 3rd baseman David Freese to St. Louis for Edmonds, he had no problem waiving his no-trade clause to return to Southern California.

The addition of Edmonds means that Mike Cameron will sign elsewhere. From what I've heard, the Texas Rangers could be where he ends up.

Twins add another former Astro in Mike Lamb

The Minnesota Twins reunited former Astro teammates Adam Everett and Mike Lamb after they signed Lamb to a 2-year deal plus an option for 2010.