by Ken Rosenthal

MLB Hot Stove

Ken Rosenthal and our MLB crew have you covered. Check out all the news and notes from the hot stove. Angels sign Abreu to 1-year deal Sources: Nats land Dunn w/2-year deal Updates: Lefty relievers getting offers Wolf, Dodgers agree to $5M deal Sources: Mets ink deal to keep Perez Braves, Kotchman avoid arbitration Sources: Rays, Shouse OK deal Report: Varitek to stay with BoSox Mets, Maine avoid arbitration Pirates sign P Maholm to 3-year deal

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10:19 p.m. — CC also spent time with BoSox

The Red Sox met with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia and his agents on Monday, but sources familiar with the club's thinking downplayed the Sox's interest, saying general manager Theo Epstein is only doing his "due diligence."

The Sox were described by another source as "warming up in the bullpen" for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, but the team remains focused on signing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and opposed to awarding lengthy contracts to starting pitchers.

The question is whether the Sox's interest in Sabathia and/or Burnett would grow if Teixeira signed with another club. The Yankees remain interested in both of those pitchers and others. Both the Red Sox and Yankees routinely show interest in virtually all of the major free agents.

9:56 p.m. — Bradley seeking new home?

Milton Bradley is on the move again.

A Texas official said the club does not expect to re-sign Bradley, who hit .321 with 22 homers and 77 RBIs this season. The official said Tampa Bay and Kansas City are the leading candidates to become Bradley's seventh team since opening day 2001. Tampa Bay, which had a luncheon meeting with Bradley, is considered the favorite.

Tampa Bay would use Bradley primarily as a designated hitter. Cliff Floyd, who will not return, was the Rays' most-used DH this season. He hit .267 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs for 283 at-bats in t the role. Bradley also met with the Cubs on Monday, but the Royals say they are not interested. --Gerry Fraley and Ken Rosenthal

9:49 p.m. — Indians look at potential closers

The Indians met on Monday with the agents for free-agent closer Kerry Wood. The team also met with other agents and remains interested in Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes as potential closers.

Hoffman nearly signed with the Indians in 2005. Fuentes would fit for the Indians only if his price dropped.

9:32 p.m. — Red Sox meet with CC

It did not take long for Boston to respond to the New York Yankees' wooing of free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia.

On the same day that the Yankees had their second meeting with Sabathia and his representatives, the Red Sox got together with him. Boston general manager Theo Epstein, manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell participated in the session. --Gerry Fraley

Is Jason Giambi about to don the green again? (TIMOTHY A. CLARY / Getty Images)

8:48 p.m. — Giambi could be with A's again

Free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi has told friends that he expects to sign with the A's, but his former team has him "way down on its list of priorities," according to a major-league source.

Giambi wants to return to the west coast, but his options appear limited. The Padres and Dodgers are set at first base. The Angels could sign free agent Mark Teixeira and the Giants and Mariners seem inclined to go with younger players.

8:44 p.m. — Brewers ready to trade Hall?

The Brewers were close to re-signing third baseman Mike Lamb on Monday, a move that could lead to a trade of Bill Hall.

The Yankees are among the teams that have expressed interest in Hall, who could fill a utility role in both the infield and outfield for New York.

However, Hall's remaining salary — $6.8 million in 2009 and $8.4 million in 2010 with a $9.25 million or $500,000 buyout for 11 — would be a significant obstacle to any deal.

The Yankees also have interest in Brewers center fielder Mike Cameron, who — like Hall — is close friends with the team's principal free- agent target, left-hander CC Sabathia. Hall and Sabathia attended the Oscar De La Hoya fight Saturday in Las Vegas.

Lamb will rejoin the Brewers at the minimum salary, with his previous team, the Twins, paying the rest of the $3 million that he is owed in 2009. Lamb and Hall could form a left-right platoon at third for the Brewers if no trade is made. --Ken Rosenthal and Ed Price

8:23 p.m. — Yanks meet with CC yet again

The Yankees met with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia for the second time in two days on Monday. Only Sabathia, his agents and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman attended the second meeting.

Does Sabathia want to play in New York?

"That's a question for him," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "I think we're on the list of teams that he's interested in. It's as simple as that."

CC met with the Yanks for the second time in two days. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

Cashman said the meetings were "productive" for Sabathia, "important for him to put himself in position to make the best decision for himself and his family. It speeds up the process for him to make an informed decision."

Sabathia also was expected to meet with the Red Sox and Brewers either on Monday or later during the winter meetings.

The Yankees continue to maintain contact with other free-agent pitchers, Cashman said, and they also are looking for a utility infielder who would can back up at second base, shortstop and third, enabling Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez to occasionally take a day off or serve as a designated hitter. Free agent Nick Punto is among the players they are considering. Full story ...

8:22 p.m. — Mets seeking to move Schneider

The Mets, who according to the Washington Post are in discussions to trade Brian Schneider to Boston, would like to move Schnieder, according to a source familiar with the organization.

Even though trading Schneider would leave them with a hole at catcher, the Mets were disappointed in his defense and would be willing to make the move without a replacement in hand.

The Mets could pursue free agents Jason Varitek — who would be replaced in Boston by Schneider — or Ivan Rodriguez, whom Mets GM Omar Minaya knows well from their time together in the Texas organization. --Ed Price

7:50 p.m. — O's trying to deal Hernandez

The Orioles and Reds are discussing a trade that would send catcher Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati in exchange for Ryan Freel and a mid-level prospect, but the deal cannot be completed unless the Orioles pick up a significant portion of Hernandez's remaining salary, major-league sources say.

Hernandez is owed $8 million in 2009 with a club option of $8.5 million or a $1 million buyout for 2010, meaning he is guaranteed $9 million.

The possibility of a trade was first reported Monday by the Cincinnati Enquirer and other outlets.

The Orioles have been trying hard to purge Hernandez, who batted .257 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs in 133 games last season. --Ken Rosenthal and Ed Price

6:26 p.m. — Sheets arrives at winter meetings

Free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets arrived at the winter meetings Monday afternoon to meet with his agent, Casey Close. Sheets declined arbitration from the Brewers on Sunday night, presumably because Close is confident that the pitcher can land a multi-year deal.

"There's nothing out there for me to contemplate right now," Sheets said, "so I don't know."

The Yankees are one team possibly interested in Sheets, but he said, "I haven't even given it thought."

Asked if he might return to the Brewers, Sheets said, "Everything's possible. I never burn any bridges."

Sheets also said he is getting into a normal offseason program after rehabilitating the elbow injury that limited him at the end of the season. He went 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings pitched for Milwaukee in 2008.

5:19 p.m. — Saito injury forces Dodgers' hand

The Los Angeles Dodgers received a mixed report on closer Takashi Saito, who missed two months in the second half this season because of a sprained elbow ligament.

Saito's offseason rehabilitation program is going well, team doctors said, but he is not certain to be ready for the start of the season.

Because of that, the Dodgers will increase their search for another reliever. They could either slide Jonathan Broxton back into the closer's role and add a set-up man or bring in free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader. --Gerry Fraley

4:43 p.m. — Interest in Eckstein grows

Free-agent infielder David Eckstein is drawing interest from five teams, most of which want him as a second baseman.

The Padres need a shortstop after trading Khalil Greene. The Pirates could have needs at both second and short if they trade Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson. The Orioles are looking for a shortstop and could have an opening at second if they move Brian Roberts. Their preference at short appears to be free agent Cesar Izturis.

4:38 p.m. — Rangers set for more moves?

The Rangers are still open to trading one of their young catchers after sending Gerald Laird to the Tigers, but only if they land a young starting pitcher in return.

The way the Rangers are currently set up, they can platoon Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a switch-hitter, with Taylor Teagarden, a right-handed hitter.

Their third catcher, Max Ramirez, can start the season at Class AAA or fill a role as a right-handed DH/catcher/first baseman if the Rangers succeed in trading Hank Blalock.

Milton Bradley met with Rays officials Monday. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

4:11 p.m. — Bradley has lunch with Rays

Free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley arrived at the winter meetings on Monday and promptly went to lunch with his agents and officials from the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays are in the market for a full-time designated hitter or right fielder, and are hopeful that a prominent free agent will fall to them at the right price.

Bradley, a switch-hitter, led the American League in on-base/slugging percentage last season. He hit .321 with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs in 126 games for the Rangers in 2008.

3:30 p.m. — Mets to meet with more closers

A quick note: The Mets are going to meet with free-agent closers Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes later today and still could meet with Kerry Wood at some point.

3:27 p.m. — Tigers have deal with Everett

The Tigers have reached agreement with free-agent shortstop Adam Everett, according to a major-league source.

The one-year deal will be worth approximately $1 million, plus incentives, and is pending a physical.

Detroit also made official its deal with the Rangers to acquire catcher Gerald Laird, meaning the Tigers have addressed their catcher and shortstop needs in the span of about 24 hours.

Everett hit .213 in 48 games for the Twins last season. He spent seven seasons with the Astros prior to his stint in Minnesota.

3:23 p.m. — Pads, Cubs talking Peavy

San Diego general manager Kevin Towers acknowledged this morning that he is talking to only one team about ace righthander Jake Peavy: the Chicago Cubs.

"We should have a pretty good idea of where we are by Thursday," Towers said. "We should know if we could move on or drop it."

Towers added that he approached Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti about a Peavy deal, but that did not gain traction becuase of the asking price of young talent.

Towers also said it is possible the Padres would start the 2009 season with Peavy in the rotation and put him back on the trade market in mid-season. Towers said the trade that sent shortstop Khalil Greene to St. Louis eased some of the pressure on him to cut payroll.

The Padres, facing economic problems and the pending divorce of owner John Moores (which could induce further cuts), are cutting their payroll by about $30 million to about $70 million for next season. --Gerry Fraley

2:34 p.m. — Smoltz likely to draw big interest

He is the hidden free agent.

If healthy, right-hander John Smoltz could emerge as a prize on the open market, becoming an intriguing one-year option for any number of clubs.

Smoltz, who turns 42 in May, still figures to stay with the Braves, for whom he has pitched exclusively for the past 20 seasons.

But the Braves are waiting to determine if Smoltz is sufficiently recovered from shoulder surgery before offering him a contract, creating the opportunity for other teams to bid. Full story...

2:25 p.m. — Mets make offer to K-Rod

The New York Mets have made a three-year offer to free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, a club official said, but are not optimistic about him taking it immediately.

"All of these agents think there is more out there," the official said. "They're going to be in for a shock." --Gerry Fraley

The Dodgers have made their pitch to retain Casey Blake. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

1:40 p.m. — Dodgers waiting on Blake

The Dodgers are waiting to hear back from free-agent third baseman Casey Blake on a contract offer, according to major-league sources.

The team should know today what Blake decides. He had been seeking a three-year deal, and a third guaranteed year has been the sticking point.

The Twins have apparently backed out of the running after their two-year offer did not satisfy Blake, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported over the weekend.

Blake was traded from the Indians to the Dodgers in July. He hit .274 for the season (just .251 for the Dodgers) with 21 home runs and 81 RBIs.

12:59 p.m. — Wolf keeping options open

Left-hander Randy Wolf preferred to return to southern California the last two times he was a free agent, signing with the Dodgers for the 2007 season and the Padres for '08. But Wolf is not limiting himself geographically in his latest stint on the open market, according to his agent, Arn Tellem — he is open to playing anywhere.

Wolf, 32, went 6-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 12 starts after getting traded from the Padres to the Astros last season, proving that he is again healthy. He might be a consideration for his original team, the Phillies, who are struggling to re-sign free-agent lefty Jamie Moyer. The Phillies, however, were miffed when Wolf spurned them after the '06 season.

12:49 p.m. — Dodgers, Yanks talk trade

As the Dodgers try to resolve their infield, they are again talking to the Yankees about a trade for second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams have resumed their discussions about Cano at the winter meetings, according to one source.

The Dodgers also are interested in Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, and the Yankees likely would want outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching in return.

The Dodgers' interest in Cabrera is a sign that they might not be confident of Andruw Jones making a strong return in 2009. The Dodgers also need to find a match for Juan Pierre, who has requested a trade.

12:31 p.m. — Burnett shows interest in Yanks

A.J. Burnett seems more interested in pitching in New York than CC Sabathia, the Yankees' other top free-agent target. While Sabathia sits on the Yankees' offer of the richest-ever pitching contract and reportedly met with GM Brian Cashman, Burnett has reached out to former Yankee Carl Pavano, who did not steer him away from the Yankees. Pavano, who did not enjoy his New York experience, told Burnett "he has the stuff to pitch there," according to a major-league source. --Ed Price

Miguel Tejada could be on the move. (Donald Miralle / Getty Images)

More on Burnett: Sources: Cardinals enter bidding

11:49 a.m. — Astros willing to move Tejada

The Astros are "barely" listening to offers for closer Jose Valverde, according to a major-league source, who said "he's about the last guy they want to move."

Shortstop Miguel Tejada is another story. The Astros are willing to trade him, and are drawing interest from several teams, including some with openings at both shortstop and third base. The Twins are one team that fits that description.

Tejada is guaranteed $13 million next season and the Astros recognize that they would need to assume a portion of that salary in any trade. The Giants and Angels are among the other teams that could have interest.

Complete news and notes: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer. Gerry Fraley writes baseball for FOXSports.com. Ed Price covers the Yankees for the Newark Star-Ledger.