The Brewers confirmed on Sunday that they were interested in infielder Mark DeRosa. The Cardinals acquired DeRosa from the Indians last week. "They didn't feel like we had the type of players they were looking for," Milwaukee assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "The big thing will be who the second player is. I would imagine it's a pretty good player. "(The Cardinals') interest in him is similar to ours: the fact that he can play all over. He can fill multiple roles. It does make them better, no question about that."

The Mariners are keeping their options open, even as third baseman Adrian Beltre heads for the disabled list. "I think you leave all your options open. Obviously, there have been a lot of talks over the last month on a lot of different scenarios. Nothing is imminent," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "At this moment, I don't anticipate anything, That's not to say, as you move forward, the next day creates something that wasn't there today. I think everyone is aware of everyone else's situation. When they see what's happened here recently, or we look at other clubs...but at this time, we are where we are, and we'll try to do the best we can with where we're at."

The Red Sox are willing to open up negotiations with outfielder Jason Bay on a long-term contract. A source said that Boston intends to revisit talks with Bay before the end of the season, but the outfielder doesn't appear as receptive. Bay said he has "gotten to the point where I'm just not going to talk about it." "Until there's a press conference or until it's the end of the season, it's really a moot point for me," said Bay.

The White Sox are expected to sign Jared Mitchell, their first round draft pick, soon. Mitchell drew attention after hitting a three-run home run to lead LSU past Texas in the World Series title game.

The Angels aren't interested in signing free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez, according to general manager Tony Reagins. Reagins said that the club has "no interest" in the righty, and that the decision wasn't financial. Baseball sources said that Martinez pitched well, but his fastball was clocked most often in the 85-mph range.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon clarified comments made earlier this week about the possibility of pitching elsewhere in the future. Papelbon said that he would be open to playing anywhere, including for the Yankees, if Boston didn't give him a long-term deal. "I know I said what I said, I'm not going to deny that. But I think at times fans may see that and think I don't want to play here and my manager and general manager might think I'm not happy here, and that's nowhere even close," Papelbon said Friday. "It kind of (ticked) me off today because it made it seem like I wanted to go play for (the Yankees), which is nowhere even close, nowhere even in the ballpark of what I want to do." He added that he would be happy playing for a succession of one-year deals in Boston. "It's not about going to play for money because if it was, guess what - I wouldn't be closing right now; I'd be starting," said Papelbon. "(The Red Sox) don't owe me nothing. ... I need the Boston Red Sox more than the Boston Red Sox need me. Believe me when I say that, because this is the place where I'm happy and I need a place where I'm happy. "I'm in a situation here, I'm playing for the best general manager and manager in the game of baseball and I've got a (expletive) World Series ring here, you know, so do I want to go play anywhere else? Hell no."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella says that Pedro Martinez's name has not come up in the team's clubhouse. The Cubs, along with the Yankees, Angels and Rays, reportedly watched Martinez pitch in the Dominican Republic on Friday. "It never has come up, I'll be honest with you," Piniella said. "In fact, since the start of the season, not one name has come up [in trade talk], whether it be pitching or hitting. [General manager Jim Hendry] might tell you differently, but I'm not aware of anything."

The Phillies are hoping that Raul Ibanez doesn't stay on the disabled list long with a strained left groin. "I'm always pretty confident that it can be fixed," said Ibanez. "So I think it will be fixed. That's me talking." Ibanez will be eligible to return from the DL on July 3. "We'll find out as he goes through his rehab and does the things he needs to do to get it calmed down," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We'll monitor him. We'll monitor him every day and see how he feels and hopefully he'll heal properly and be ready in 15 days. That's the plan, that'd be great, but I don't know if that's going to happen." Ibanez had been suffering from groin pain since April, but it only became a serious problem recently. "Everything was starting to get affected," he said. "I wasn't helping the team. It was probably the right thing to do at the right time."

The Cubs were impressed with Pedro Martinez after taking in his recent workouts in the Dominican Republic, but a contract offer isn't on the horizon. Martinez said Wednesday that he has spoken to the Rays and Cubs and "there's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm." He is believed to be seeking a contract in the $5 million range.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spent the team's off-day on Monday looking for pitching help. Philadelphia, the reigning World Series champions, rank 15th out of sixteen National League teams with a 4.66 ERA. Only Houston's starting rotation has logged fewer innings this season. "We'd like to improve both areas," Amaro said of the rotation and bullpen. "We need all of the above. We're pursuing both. That doesn't mean we're going to get any, but you're always trying to improve."