Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that there are indications that the Mets have inquired about Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett.

Burnett, 30, went 10-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 25 starts last season for Toronto. He hasn’t had a complete season since he signed with the Blue Jays before the 2006 season, though he has been effective when he has been healthy. He is due $36 million over the next three seasons, but he can opt out of his contract after next year.

Steve Popper of the Bergen Record is reporting that Mets general manager Omar Minaya will meet with the agent’s for pitchers Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon tonight.

According to Jim Molony of MLB.com, the Tigers and Marlins are finishing out the final details on an eight-player trade that would send third baseman Miguel Cabrera and left-handed starter Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for a left-hander Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin and four other prospects.

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Chicago White Sox are making a major push to obtain Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins. While the Detroit Tigers have spoken to the Marlins about Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis, it is now believed the White Sox have the inside track on Cabrera after losing out on free agent center fielder Torii Hunter.

According to WFAN, the Dodgers may have offered OF Matt Kemp and P Jonathan Broxton to the Orioles for Erik Bedard.

Broxton, 23, would likely close for the Orioles if this happens. He went 4-4 with a 2.85 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 82 innings of work last season.

Kemp, 23, hit .342 with 10 HRs and 42 RBIs during the 2007 campaign in 292 at-bats.

According to the Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Royals are shopping OF David DeJesus and OF Joey Gathright. The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves have reportedly drawn strong interest in DeJesus, with the Braves even to go as far as making offer. It is believed the Braves are offering LHP Chuck James for the 27-year old DeJesus.

James, 26, is 22-14 with a 4.05 ERA over the last two seasons.

DeJesus hit .260 with 7 home runs, 58 RBIs, 10 stolen bases while scoring 101 runs.

Relaying information from Michael Silverman, the Boston Herald is reporting that the Diamondbacks and Athletics have had constructive talks about a deal that would send Dan Haren to Arizona and Conor Jackson, Carlos Gonzalez and two other players to Oakland.

Gorden Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs are currently the team to beat in the race to sign OF Kosuke Fukudome. The White Sox, Padres, Mariners, Rangers and Giants have reportedly had serious interest in signing him.

The report also has a couple of trade rumors regarding the Cubs. As it stands right now, Mark Prior appears likely to land in his hometown of San Diego if dealt this offseason, though the Reds have also been linked to the 27-year old southpaw.

Also, Wittenmyer notes that the Toronto media have had reports out that suggest the Jays may pursue Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, who is prepping a return to the rotation next year.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com is reporting that the Cleveland Indians could look to offer an extension to their Cy-Young award winning ace, C.C. Sabathia. As long as the offer isn’t so high that it could potentially cripple the franchise financially, the team remains interested in getting Sabathia locked up long-term.

The Indians’ intention is to have the situation settled, one way or another, before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 14.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that the Twins and Yankees were getting nowhere in discussions in their attempt to complete a deal for Johan Santana. The Yankees are contemplating pulling out of the race for the left-hander.

The report states that the Twins again asked the Yankees for Ian Kennedy as the third-player in the deal for Santana that also included Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera. The Yankees may look to the bay and a possible deal for Oakland ace Dan Haren.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting that the Kansas City Royals and OF Jose Guillen are close to a three-year deal worth between $11 million and $12 million per year. Guillen batted .290 for the Mariners last season with 23 homers and 99 RBIs.

Last year, the team made a splash by going out and signing SP Gil Meche to a five-year, $55 million contract. The Royals reportedly have $25 million to spend this offseason, making this deal possibly just one of a couple of big signings for that team.

While appearing on WFAN, Jon Heyman stated that he has heard buzz in the lobby that CF Jim Edmonds‘ name has been discussed and the Cardinals could be shopping him.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported yesterday that Edmonds would considering waiving his no-trade clause if he would be moved to a Southern California team.

Edmonds, 37, is due $8 million next season after his average, runs scored, home runs, on-base and slugging percentages, and RBI have dropped each of the past three seasons.

The Padres are believed to be interested in Edmonds.

Mets ace Pedro Martinez will sit for an interview tonight on SNY Spotlight tonight at 7 p.m. The show is hosted by Kevin Burkhardt. Pedro will discuss the team’s historic collapse last season in a chase for the pennant.

Peter Abraham writes in his blog that based on adding up contracts of the various players that the Yankees have spent money on this winter, it comes out to a total of $408.4 million, not counting the $30 million Alex Rodriguez could receive in bonus payments or any potential contract Johan Santana gets if he is traded to the team.

The Yankees have spent a ton of money this winter. A-Rod ($275 million), Rivera ($45 million), Posada ($52.4), Molina ($4 million), Abreu ($16 million) and now Pettitte ($16 million).

Alex’s deal is reportedly front-loaded at $32 million for the first three years. At the moment, I have their 2008 payroll at $200.6 million.

That assume Cano and Wang would receive $4 million each. That $200.6 million figure accounts for only 16 players.

If they retain Vizcaino for $3 million and sign the other eight players for around the minimum, the Yankees are looking at a $207 million payroll.