The Dallas Morning News reports that the Texas Rangers have made an offer to Mark Mulder.

Mulder, who also has received significant interest from St. Louis,
probably won't be ready for opening day. He is recovering from shoulder
surgery, and mid-May may be the most realistic window for return.

P Gil Meche spent the night at a Maple Leafs game accompanied by Blue Jays GM J.P. Riccardi.

The Red Sox and OF J.D. Drew are expected to sign a 4-year deal worth $15-16 million a season with a vesting option for a fifth year.

Sources told the Chicago Sun Times that the Cubs did not offer P Jason Schmidt a 3-year contract worth $44 million. It is still believed the club has interest in Schmidt though.

Now a bunch of nuggets from Mr. Baseball, Ken Rosenthal:

The Orioles are ridiculiously dumb for spending so much money on Ps Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, Scott Willamson and Danys Baez.

OF Manny Ramirez would be a great fit for the Dodgers because he has experience with manager Grady Little.

The Red Sox plan on making a run at Devil Rays OF Rocco Baldelli.

The Braves are unlikely to sign P Tom Glavine if they cannot trade P Tim Hudson.

C Rod Barajas did not sign with the Blue Jays because his wife didn’t want to move to Canada.

The Cubs, Mets, Royals and several NL West clubs have shown interest in P Miguel Batista.

The Diamondbacks, Padres, Giants, Rangers and Indians are showing interest in P Mark Mulder, who isn’t expected to return before the all-star break.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports the Giants are making progress with OF Juan Pierre. Pierre is believed to be seeking a 3-year, $30 million deal.

Crasnik also reports that the Phillies are talking contract with P Adam Eaton, a former Phills farmhand.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Devil Rays have won the negotiating rights to Japanese 3B Akinori Iwamura.

The LA Times reports there has been speculation that the White Sox could trade 3B Joe Crede to the Angels for OF Chone Figgins.

The Arizona Republic states the Diamondbacks might have trouble signing P Mark Mulder because the are unwilling to add health and performance incentives in any deal.

The Republic also says the Diamondbacks (who have the new ugliest uniform in sports) are pursuing P Randy Wolf.

The San Diego-Union Tribune reports the Padres will not trade P Scott Linebrink due to the price of relief pitching on the free agent market. GM Kevin Towers was quoted as saying “Someone would really have to overpay to get him”.