Ken Rosenthal gives us a rundown on Hot Stove news on Fox Sports.

The Cubs are not done dealing. They're looking to add two starting pitchers, one through free agency and one via trade.

A baseball executive tells Rosenthal that Carlos Lee will likely land a six-year, $100 million deal. The most likely suitors appear to be the Giants, Orioles and Astros.

After failing to land Alfonso Soriano, the Phillies are scrambling to find someone to hit
behind recently crowned MVP  Ryan Howard. Pat Burrell will almost certainly be
traded, and the Phillies have not appeared to have interest in Lee. General
manager Pat Gillick has no interest in Manny Ramirez saying he is
“a headache we don't want to deal with.”

The Angels are looking for someone more athletic than Carlos Lee, and outfielder J.D. Drew could be a
possibility. The Angels also could sign left-hander Barry Zito, then trade one of thier young starters and a prospects for a hitter like Carl Crawford. G.M. Bill Stoneman tried unsuccessfully in the past to land Manny Ramirez and Miguel Tejada in
trades.

Rosenthal believes theres no chance the Blue Jays can sign Vernon Wells, and should to trade him now. Citing Soriano worth $17 million per season, Wells should fetch even more
when he hits free agency next winter just before his 29th birthday;
Soriano is nearly 31. Wells' career .828 on-base/slugging percentage is
nearly equal to Soriano's .835, but Wells has won three straight Gold
Gloves in center while Soriano is still learning the outfield. The Jays may wait until the July 31 non-waiver deadline, when the
team will have a better idea of its ability to contend deep into the
season.

Rosenthal doesn't believe the Braves have a shot at signing Andruw Jones for the same reasons he listed for Wells.

Rival executives believe the
Tribune Co.'s plan to recoup the money they've spent on free agents by selling the club.

Rosenthal states that a
Cubs-Red Sox Series pitting Soriano against Japanese right-hander
Daisuke Matsuzaka would be a “blessed event”

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Chicago Cubs aren't close to being done adding players this offseason. They plan on making an offer to P Gil Meche, he is believed to be seeking $8 million a year.

The Cubs are also mulling over if they should make an offer to former Mets OF Cliff Floyd. Floyd, a Chicago native, was a Cubs target two years ago in the rumored trade for OF Sammy Sosa.

The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that the Phillies could bring in formet Met C Mike Piazza to replace C Mike Lieberthal behind the plate.

Knowing Piazza grew up as a Phillies fan, you know he is gonna jump all over this. As much as I don't want to him going to a division rival, I kind of feel good for him because he is playing for his favorite team, which is something I would imagine is a crapload of fun.

Gotham Baseball reports that the Rockies may have interest in Lastings Milledge.

The man who never sleeps aka Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting the White Sox and Rangers had second thoughts in the final minutes before completing a trade which would have sent P Jon Garland to the Rangers and P John Danks to the White Sox.

Rosenthal points out that the Orioles are one of the teams that is still persuing Garland.

The relentless one is also reporting the Rangers are close to bring back signing Smithtown, NY native Frank Catalanotto to a 3-year deal with an option for a fourth year.

Catalanotto hit .300 with 7 home runs and 56 RBIs last year platooning with OF Reed Johnson.

I know Frank personally and I know he is a Yankee fan, but he always said he would love to play in New York, regardless of the team. He would have fit in perfectly with this team as our starting 2nd basemen, improving our bench with Jose Valentin and never signing the mistake waiting to happen in Damion Easley.

Here are some rumors rumbling on the hot stove, courtesy of Wally Gobetz on the Mets Listserv.

The Angels have made offers to J.D. Drew (believed to be 5-6 years @ $14M per) and Barry Zito (no confirmed numbers but the LA Times throws out 7/$100).  If the Angels sign Zito, they may have pitching to trade for Vernon Wells, Andruw Jones, Manny or Tejada.

The Orioles and Braves are talking about a Tim Hudson for Hayden Penn or Adam Lowen trade. not sure why the Orioles would even think about this.

The reds signed Alex Gonzalez to a 3-year/$14M deal. The Reds were the 2nd worst defense in the NL last year.

The Red Sox are close to signing Alberto Castillo as a backup catcher.

The Red Sox still have lots of holes to fill.  J.D. Drew could be the answer in RF. Julio Lugo could be the answer at  SS. They're also interested in Justin Speier and Danny Baez for the pen.

The Giants are targeting Carlos Lee as a potential replacement for Bonds.

The Astros are still thought to have the inside track.

Dave Dombroski says the Tigers are “pretty well set” after resigning Sean Casey and trading for Gary Sheffield.  But he'll likely still shop for a lefty (Schoeneweis, Embree, Stanton, Vollone) to replace Jamie Walker.

The Blue Jays are making a bid to retain Ted Lilly.  After the Thomas singing, they still have about $15M to use.

The Yankees are looking at Scott Procter as a starter. They see Humerto Sanchez as his replacement in the pen.

The Rangers really wanted Matsuzaka, but misread the market with a $27M bid. They have money to spend and Barry Zito called new manager (and former coach) Ron Washington say say he was interested.  they still want to
retain Padilla.

A club source says the A's aren't likely to sign Bonds. If they aren't, and the Giants aren't, and the Tigers aren't. Well, who is?

The Indians are expected to hire Buck Showalter as an advisor.

Bill Mueller retired and joined the Dodger's front office.

The Cardinals have payroll flexibility but aren't prepared to overexpose themselves financially.  They're unlikely to spend the $10M per that it'll take to resign Jeff Suppan.  They're more likely to chase the “second-tier” arms like Eaton, Wells, Meche and Padilla to avoid long term entanglements. Jeff Weaver is the only FA likely to return.

The San Francisco Chronice is reporting the Mets and OF Moises Alou are in the final stages of completing a deal. The contract is expected to be either a 1 or 2-year deal. One of the sources told the paper, “I think its going to happen”.

If the Mets sign Alou before December 1st, the Giants will recieve two high compensatory draft picks since he is a Type A free agent.

The 41-year old Alou hit .301 with 22 home runs and 74 RBIs in 345 at bats last season.

Bye bye Lastings. We hardly knew ye.

UPDATE 6:05 PM
SI.com is reporting the deal could be announced next week.

Update 8:22 PM
SI.com is now reporting that Alou turned down 2-year deals from the Indians and Rangers to take a 1-year deal plus a option with the Mets. Newsday is reporting Alou will sign a 2-year deal.

Update 6:07 AM
The AP is reporting its a one-year deal worth $8 to $9 million

Ken Rosenthal is at it again. He is reporting that the Mets and OF Moises Alou are discussing a 2-year deal, not the one-year, $8 million deal reported earlier this morning.

Rosenthal notes that this would also mean that if Alou signs with the Mets, OF Lastings Milledge is all but gone by Opening Day 2007.

I've made up my mind and I think I'd rather have the platoon. We have enough offense and we need some defense in the outfield. Alou can't run anything down and Shawn Green can't field anything hit away from him while Milledge and Endy Chavez are both good outfielders (I know what you are thinking, but he had a bad series aganist Boston).

Now, about the 2-year deal. I get it on only one condition. They let Green walk after this season and they start either Milledge or Carlos Gomez in 2008. If thats not the case, then its a bad move signing him to the second season.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the White Sox are close to trading P Jon Garland and the Rangers are the most likely trade partner. Any trade with Texas would have to include P John Danks.

Texas has shown interest in Sox OF Brian Anderson to replace OF Gary Matthews Jr. so the trade could expand beyong Garland and prospects.

Why are the Sox trading Garland? He was the only realiable pitcher they had last year. He would have been the one pitcher on the staff I wouldn't have traded. Now they are stuck with 4 pitchers on the downside of their careers and a question mark in Brandon McCarthey. Bad, bad move.

Also, if this trade happens, I would assume that eliminates the Rangers from the Barry Zito sweepstakes.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels said he is “cautiously optimistic” that his club will re-sign P Vicente Padilla.

The Braves and Orioles could be discussing a Tim Hudson for Hayden Penn/Adam Lowern trade.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams denied reports that P Freddy Garcia was on his way to Anaheim for P Ervin Santana.

The A’s might not offer a contract to OF Barry Bonds.

The Angels view OF J.D. Drew as a fallback option for OF-2B Alfonso Soriano.

The Dodgers, yet again, remain close to re-signing 1B Nomar Garciaparra.

The Phillies #1 priority if the club fails to re-sign P Randy Wolf is to sign P Adam Eaton, not Soriano.

Dominican newspaper Listin Diario is reporting that a friend of OF Moises Alou told the paper that he is close to signing a 1-year deal worth $8 million with the M.E.T.S. New York Mets of New York Town.

Here is a translation of the article (note, the translator is off on some words, but you get the picture):

“The Mets of new York are just about to sign al Dominican Moses Alou
by a total reckoned in eight million dollars for the season of the
2007, according to it expressed a close source al gardener.

The
agreement is almost sure that be concluded this weekend and the
assembly will proceed to the confirmation and presentation of the
veteran, who will become a Hispanic one more than passes to form rows
of the subways.

Last night was reported that the player was outside of the Capital city, but people close to were echoed him of the movement.

The
virtual firm of Moses with the Mets would become the gardener the left
of that assembly, being joining with Carlos Beltrán and Shawn Green.
Cliff Floyd, who has performed that position in the last three years,
is an agent free and do not it is expected that the club sign it again.

To be specified the pact with Moses, would join with José Kings,
Pedro Martínez, July Franco, Guillermo Dot, Duaner Sánchez and Anderson
Hernández, as the Dominican ballplayers that act for the assembly that
has as general manager al native Omar Minaya.

Alou would
fortify exceedingly the house to be able of the Metro, that already
counts on Beltrán, the own Green, as well as Carlos Thin and David
Wright.”

I don't have a clue if I like this signing or not. The guy can hit the cover off the ball, but he is just about as injury-plaiged as OF Cliff Floyd. Our defense is sure to be horrible though. I'm sure a platoon of Lastings Milledge and Endy Chavez would be just as good, but I guess Omar Minaya likes Endy coming off the bench more.

Its a one-year deal, so I assume they would let him walk and play OF Carlos Gomez in 2008.

Dodgers 3B Bill Mueller has announced his retirement due to a chronic knee injury and will take a job in the Dodgers front office. He is expected to recieve a portion of the $4.5 million he is owed over the remainder of his contract.

Not only have the Giants made a 3-year $30 million deal to OF Juan Pierre, but they have made the same offer to OF Gary Matthews Jr.

Finally, 1B Nomar Garciaparra is expected to re-sign with the Dodgers today, although the media has been saying this every day for what seems like months, so this might stretch out a bit longer.

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News reports that the Giants have made a three-year $30 million offer to Juan Pierre and to Gary Matthews Jr.

The SF Gate reports that the Giants have also spoke to the agents for Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee. 

The Giants may also bid for Japanese lefty pitcher Kei Igawa.

The Yankees are showing interest in 1B-3B Shea Hillenbrand.

Yankees P Scott Proctor might be moved to the rotation for 2007.

The A’s have promoted bench coach Bob Geren to be the clubs next manager.

The Red Sox are showing interest in former Expos and Brewers P Tomo Ohka, who was a former prospect in the Red Sox organization.

SS Alex Gonzalez has been offered a 3-year, $15 million contract from either the White Sox or Reds.

A’s owner Lewis Wolff said the club will consider bringing in OF Barry Bonds to replace the all-but departed DH Frank Thomas.

The Orioles could persue either Mariners 1B Richie Sexson or Reds OF Adam Dunn this winter.

The Cubs are open to trading C Michael Barrett for some pitching help.

The Astros and Rockies have discussed a trade that would bring P Jason Jennings to Houston while sending either OF/2B Chris Burke or P Brad Lidge to Colorado.

The Mets are showing interest in P Adam Eaton, but his agent says he believes the Mets have Eaton as a “backup choice”.

SNY had former Met Lee Mazelli in their headquarters for an interview yesterday. It is believed he would work during Mets broadcasts.

The Red Sox could try to convince P Roger Clemens to return to Boston to be the teams closer.