Manny scenarios
Dec 8 - There was talk of a three-way deal that would have sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, but it fell apart, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. Ramirez would have gone to Los Angeles for J.D. Drew, Derek Lowe and a pitching prospect. Lowe, Trot Nixon and a prospect would have gone to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu.
The Red Sox earlier told Gammons that Ramirez will not be traded this week because such a deal would be too complicated and take too much time to sort out.
The Mets have talked to the Red Sox about Ramirez and asked Boston to take second baseman Kaz Matsui in a deal along with Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and other prospects.
According to The Boston Globe, there was substance to the rumor that the Red Sox were working on a three-way deal with the Angels and Diamondbacks. 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.
Dec 8 - The Mets moved closer Wednesday to trading starter Kris Benson to Texas after talks broke down with Kansas City, Newsday reports.
According to the newspaper, the Mets would send Benson to the Rangers for outfielder Laynce Nix and righthander Juan Dominguez.
The Mets reportedly would like to clear Benson's salary (he's owed $15 million over the next two seasons) to make a run at Oakland's Barry Zito or Arizona's Javier Vazquez, who has requested a trade.
Dec 8 - With Roger Clemens uncertain whether he will pitch again or retire, the Astros declined to offer salary arbitration . The move means the seven-time Cy Young Award winner can't re-sign with the NL champions before May 1.
Houston's decision could lead to other teams trying to lure Clemens, such as the Yankees and Red Sox, two of his former clubs.
"If anybody calls, we'll listen," said agent Randy Hendricks.
Dec 7 - Mike Piazza's days with the Mets are over. The team declined to offer salary arbitration to their longtime catcher, cutting ties with one of the best hitters in franchise history.
The move was no surprise, and now the 12-time All-Star is likely to join an American League team that can use him as a designated hitter. The Angels and Twins are among four teams interested in the 37-year-old slugger.
), then DH on the other 4 days, while David Ortiz could challenge Rafael Palmeiro for the AL Gold Glove at 1B.
