…the word from shea is that the Mets will non-tender RHP Victor Zambrano, officially making him a free-agent, though he could return on a new one-year deal…
…wow, i can’t believe it’s actually over…
…i’m actually feeling rather nostalgic…go figure…
Zambrano was acquired by the Mets on July 31, 2004, in a trade that sent Scott Kazmir to the [...]

The Braves have non-tendered 2B Marcus Giles, thus making him a free agent, reports the Associated Press.

The Rockies have traded RHP Jason Jennings and minor-league RHP Miguel Asencio to the Astros for OF Willy Taveras, RHP Jason Hirsh and RHP Tyler Buchholz, reports Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com.
…much like i had been writing for weeks, and now based on what houston gave up, the Mets could have acquired jennings for Lastings Milledge, Ambiorix [...]

MLB.com is currently auctioning off game-used jerseys from the Binghamton Mets, including shirts worn by Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber and Carlos Gomez.

Robert C, among others, ask…
“If Marcus Giles were to get non-tendered as some buzz indicates, do you think the Mets would try to pick him up? Would he be a good fit?
“I personally think that he is more than a capable second baseman and would be a good fit with the team. He plays good [...]

According to Bob McManaman in the Arizona Republic, the D’Backs have made a formal offer to free-agent LHP Mark Mulder.
…ok, first of all…mcmanaman…classic name…on of the best in journalism…
Mulder, who is 103-57 with a 4.11 career ERA, is not expected back from rotator cuff surgery, is positive he will return to action by spring training.  However, [...]

In the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, John Hickey reports that the A’s have asked the Mariners about trading OF Jeremy Reed.
Hickey speculates that Oakland could offer RHP Dan Haren in a deal for Reed.
Last week, several reports had linked the Mets and A’s in talks regarding Haren, as well as RHP Joe Blanton and RHP Rich Harden.
…and [...]

Ryan T, from Long Island, writes…
“If the Mets non-tender Victor Zambrano, does this mean he will have to sign with another team?”

No, Ryan, he can still re-sign with the Mets.  In fact, at that point, the Mets would be able to offer him a deal worth far less than they are obligated to do if [...]

At FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers and free-agent Eric Gagne are close to agreeing on a one-year deal worth as much as $11 million.
…i’m starting to question just how serious the Rangers are in their pursuit of free-agent LHP Barry Zito…i mean, they re-signed Vicente Padilla, they’re clearly eyeing Vernon Wells for next [...]

Today, December 12, is the last day for a team to tender contracts to players with more than three, but fewer than six, years service time.
If the player is tendered a contract, he remains property of that team.  He can either agree to a new deal with the team, or file for arbitration.  However, the contract must [...]

The Mariners and free-agent Miguel Batista have agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal, reports the Associated Press.
…ah, yes, the Kris Benson contract…remember when this type of deal was considered expensive…
Batista is 68-79 with a 4.46 ERA in 12 seasons.

Please, do not let Mets GM Omar Minaya see this clever graphic of free-agent Barry Zito.

In a report for FOXSports.com about Boston’s negotiations with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ken Rosenthal writes, “The deal will happen. It has to happen.”
Rosenthal breaks down each side of the talks, painting the pitcher as a young man who cannot return to Japan for fear of shame, along with an agent, Scott Boras, and a team, the [...]

The Red Sox are prepared to offer Daisuke Matsuzaka a five– to six-year deal worth roughly $10 million per season, reports Michael Silverman in the Boston Herald.
Yesterday, the Herald reported that the Sox initially offered Matsuzaka a three-year deal worth roughly $21 million.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry and the team’s GM Theo Epstein [...]

In the New York Post, George King notes that the Red Sox and Yankees are both competing in a trade for Pirates LHP Mike Gonzalez, but may need the help of the Braves to pull it off.
As King describes it, the Pirates would want Adam LaRoche from the Braves in exchange for Gonzalez, who would [...]