Speaking of right-handed hitting corner outfielder, the Royals may have to trade OF Jose Guillen, if they end up signing free-agent SS Rafael Furcal, reports the Kansas City Star.

In an October report for the New York Post, Joel Sherman wrote that the Mets will probably have to ‘take on another headache,’ if they want to trade Luis Castillo to another team.

According to Sherman, citing an executive familiar with the talks, “the Mets and Royals had discussions in July about swapping Guillen for Castillo.”

Guillen will earn $24 million for the next two seasons, while Castillo is due to make $18 million during the next three.

Lastly, George King of the New York Post believes that, if the Yankees do not sign Mark Teixeira, they will go after free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, “and to clear some money, they might entertain offers for outfielder Xavier Nady.”

…if you recall, rumor had it that the Mets were trying to re-acquire Xavier Nady from the Pirates last summer, but the asking price was too much…it seems like every year for the rest of my life i will be writing about the possible return of nady to queens…i see no reason why this off-season should be any different…other than it’s the Yankees who have him, and the Mets and Yankees rarely ever hook up in trade…that said, you know, he is the right-handed Ryan Church, etc., etc…

Speaking of outfielders, and the Yankees…

The Yankees and Brewers continue to discuss Mike Cameron, with the deal hinging upon Kei Igawa, explains Jon Heyman at SI.com.

In an October report for the New York Post, Joel Sherman wrote that the Mets will probably have to ‘take on another headache,’ if they want to trade Luis Castillo to another team.

According to Sherman, citing an executive familiar with the talks, “The Mets and Royals had discussions in July about swapping Guillen for Castillo.”

Guillen will earn $24 million for the next two seasons, while Castillo is due to make $18 million for the next three.

By the way, also on his blog, Heyman writes about the state of Citigroup and the Mets, Garret Anderson’s new agent, whether the Mets will trade for a closer, and the battle for Derek Lowe, among other things.

According to Sherman, citing an executive familiar with the talks, “The Mets and Royals had discussions in July about swapping expensive malcontent outfielder Jose Guillen for Castillo.”

However, in a response to a reader in his mailbag for MLB.com, Royals beat reporter Dick Kaegel writes:

“The whole scenario doesn’t sound right because a) Castillo went on the disabled list last July 3, and who wants a player with a strained hip flexor? and b) Guillen has a no-trade clause in his contract that includes the Mets.

The Royals are looking for a productive middle infielder and Castillo, a second baseman, has a good career on-base record (.367), so there might some interest. And Guillen could waive the no-trade. But, no, I can’t see that happening.”

Guillen will earn $24 million for the next two seasons, while Castillo is due to make $18 million for the next three.

While on the subject, Sherman also wrote, ‘The D’Backs considered Eric Byrnes for Castillo, but determined they just don’t like Castillo at all.’

According to Sherman, citing an executive familiar with the talks, “The Mets and Royals had discussions in July about swapping expensive malcontent outfielder Jose Guillen for Castillo.”

Guillen will earn $24 million for the next two seasons, while Castillo is due to make $18 million for the next three.

In 153 games for the Royals in 2008, Guillen hit .264 with 20 HR and 97 RBI.

He hit .290 in 153 games for Seattle in 2007.

Guillen has played for nine different teams during the last eight years.

Sherman also writes, ‘The D’Backs considered Eric Byrnes for Castillo, but determined they just don’t like Castillo at all.’

Sherman also reports on whether Pat Burrell will be back in Philadelphia, whether the Dodgers may trade C Russell Martin, and whether the Padres will move 1B Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy, who the Mets have yet to show any interest in.

According to Rojas’s source, Guillen and his team’s manager are not on ‘speaking terms,’ ‘and he would do anything he can in economic terms to ease his way out of Kansas City.’

However, Guillen later told the Kansas City Star, “This is completely catching me by surprise…This isn’t coming from me.  Trey and I are fine right now, and I’ve never said I wanted out of Kansas City…I hate to be put in this situation, and now I look like a bad guy again.”

Last week on ESPN.com, Stark wrote that Guillen will cost ‘a cornerstone player,’ like OF Gorkys Hernandez, ‘and at least one other piece,’ should a team be interested in acquiring him.

Guillen is batting .297 against left-handed pitching and .246 against right-handed pitching, with 14 HR, 69 RBI and 77 strike outs in 101 games for the Royals this season, in the first year of a three-year, $36 million contract.

However, according to the Kansas City Star, negotiations between Kansas City and Guillen have stalled, and the Royals have begun showing interest in fellow free agent OF Andruw Jones.

Guillen is seeking a four-year deal, writes the Star, while the Royals don’t want to go past a two-year commitment, noting that they’re willing to increase the dollar amount per year in order to reach a compromise.

…as presently constituted, the Mets must be looking for a right-handed compliment to Ryan Church…but if he gets dealt, like cerrone has heard speculated, guillen could be a decent pickup for right field…a three-year deal may be a little much, though, if the Mets somehow manage to hang on to Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez, whom they obviously consider their future corner outfielders…

…Update…1:26 am…

ESPN.com is reporting that Guillen and the Royals have reached a preliminary agreement, shaking hands on the three year, $36 million deal originally reported.

…in other news, i like peanuts, but i do not like peanut butter…

Guillen hit .290 with 23 HR and 99 RBI this past season.

Speaking of Guillen, remember this.

Two notes of interest:

“He was interviewed Sunday and he said that he was watching Carlos Gómez (who is going to get married next Saturday in Santiago, with Moisés Alou his best man and other Mets players at the event).”

…congrats, carlos…looks like you’ve made some quick friends in Queens…whether or not you’ll be spending much time with them next season still remains to be seen…

…on a personal note, carlos and i are the same age, and even the most fleeting thought of marriage scares the bejeezus out of me…

Additionally, Omar said he wasn’t interested in free agent outfielder José Guillén, who played for Seattle last season…well, if Lastings Milledge and/or gomez are traded, there will be a hole to fill in right field… a short term deal with guillen may not be the worst solution…guillen was implicated in purchasing human growth hormone earlier this month, though, so that certainly would cloud any decision…

Guillen hit .290 with 23 HR and 99 RBI this past season.

…it’s one thing to want the Mets to acquire more fire and passion, but the Mets should not do so by bringing in an absolute loose canon…i will never trust a player like guillen, who has spent time with seven different teams in just six years, all before turning 31 years old…that is the definition of red flag…this is not to say he will never mature and grow beyond his reputation, as i’m sure he will, it’s just that a team in new york should never lean on such a gamble…

…my guess is that he will simply work out a contract extension with the Mariners, who reportedly want him back…

Speaking of Guillen, remember this.