The Twins insist that they'll be able to afford catcher Joe Mauer, who can hit the free agent market following the 2010 season. "Yeah, we can afford him," team president Dave St. Peter told the Pioneer Press. However, Mauer is worried about catching the Tigers in the AL Central and not his contract status. "I haven't even thought about it," Mauer said. "I've got enough on my plate right now trying to win a ballgame."

The Pirates have increased their offer to Dominican prospect Miguel Angel Sano, a team source told the Post-Gazette. However, the team didn't get a response by Saturday night's deadline. Sano, a shortstop that is expected to move to the outfield, is considered the best international amateur talent. Major League teams were able to begin making him offers on July 2.

There is still a small chance that Nomar Garciaparra could move to a contending team. Monday is the last day that players can be added to rosters and still be eligible for the postseason. Garciaparra cleared waivers a while ago, according to sources, but has reportedly drawn little interest. The Phillies have been keeping tabs on Garciaparra this summer. "After the deadline, if I'm here, I'll continue to help these guys do what they're doing," Garciaparra said of staying in Oakland. "Which is fine. There's nothing bad about it."

The Cardinals are negotiating a two-year extension with closer Ryan Franklin. Franklin, 36, made the All-Star team for the first time this season and the new contract would allow the reliever to finish his career in St. Louis. "He's a big reason we're in a great position right now," manager Tony La Russa told the Associated Press. "He's the kind of guy that I don't think is distracted by security and finances, I think he really enjoys competing and having an important job."

Trevor Hoffman has been claimed by an unnamed team and could be dealt, but Hoffman also said he likes Milwaukee and is open to returning in 2010. ?I?m settled in here,? he said. ?I?ve had a comfort level in Milwaukee from Day 1.? Hoffman said he hadn?t heard anything about being claimed but added, ?We?re 12 (games) out. I don?t think I?m the only person put through waivers.?

The Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Florida Marlins are all interested in acquiring Brad Penny. Boston placed Penny on waivers this week. The interested teams would probably like to have him after he clears waivers, which could be on Monday. If Penny clears waivers, he would cost any team that acquired him only about $100,000 for the rest of the season.

Larry Beinfest said the Marlins don't have a firm policy on offering long-term contracts to pitchers, even though there is a general reluctance to do so because of their fragility. Josh Johnson, who is making $1.4 million in his first season of salary arbitration, is a logical candidate to receive a long-term contract offer. ``It's not something we've ever ruled out, and we'll go case by case,'' Beinfest said. ``I think there's a recognition by the organization that pitchers can be risky because they do get hurt, maybe at a higher rate than a position player. But that doesn't mean, necessarily, we would rule it out.''

Matt Stairs wants to play for the Phillies next season. "I'll play one more year and I'm done," Stairs told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'd like to be back, but that's a decision for the team. I'm inexpensive, and I don't complain that I don't play a lot." Stairs, a 17-year veteran, can become a free agent after the season. Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock declined to say if the Phils wanted to re-sign Stairs when asked by the Inquirer.

Matt Holliday isn't focused on where he'll play next season. Instead, the outfielder is intent on leading the Cardinals to a deep playoff run. "He's been doing what he used to do for years in this league, wearing pitchers out," Albert Pujols told CBSSports.com. "He's really given us a boost. We were a pretty good lineup. Now we're really good." Holliday has enjoyed his time in St. Louis. "I like it here," he said. "Obviously, the team is good and competitive. The guys on the team seem like they're a really great bunch of guys. It's got a lot of the things I'm interested in." As much as he enjoys playing for the Cardinals, he claims that he hasn't thought much about his pending free agency. "I think I owe it to the guys in here and to the staff to focus on winning every game," says Holliday. "I want to keep focusing on that. All the other stuff, there will be plenty of time for."

Marlon Byrd was slotted as a fourth outfielder entering the season, but has turned into one of the Rangers most consistent players. "Marlon does a lot of things that don't necessarily show up in the box score but are evident if you watch us play," general manager Jon Daniels told the Dallas Morning News. "How many times has his aggressiveness in the outfield saved an extra base? He sets the tone with the way he goes about it ? always running hard, always on the attack. Both the younger guys and the more established players seem to feed off of that." Texas has a crowded outfield and Byrd will be a free agent this winter, but he still hopes to stay put. "I know I can help this team, but I know the situation here," he said. "I know they're going to do what's best for the organization. I want this to be my last stop. We have the pieces in place to win here."