Brewers owner Mark Attanasio says that they won't simply make a contract offer to Prince Fielder as a public relations move. "It's too much time and effort if it's just (for) show," said Attanasio. "(Agent) Scott (Boras) is very busy and I'm very busy and (general manager) Doug Melvin is maybe the busiest of the three of us. I don't think there's any show about it. Ultimately, there will be a meeting of the minds or there won't be." The Brewers unsuccessfully tried to keep CC Sabathia following the 2008 season with an offer that was trumped by all competitors. "There's no timetable, there's no pressure on either side," said Attanasio. "Prince is very relaxed. You can figure out what's realistic and not realistic, what makes sense and doesn't make sense, distractions or no distractions. "No. 1, nobody wants a distraction. Without having any set deadlines or parameters, it's better in a lot of ways, because you start checking the days on the calendar (otherwise) and all of that."

Jermaine Dye is shocked that he's still unemployed. "I'm shocked," Dye told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I really am in disbelief, but what can I do?" Over the last five seasons with the White Sox, Dye was first among American League outfielders in home runs and second in RBI. "I still feel like I'm a productive player and feel like I can contribute, but teams want me as a backup player, and that's something I'm not ready to do," Dye said. "I feel undervalued, basically. I don't think I have to go out there and prove anything to anyone. My numbers the last five or six years show I can help someone."

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko talked on Friday about entering the final season of his contract. "I've enjoyed my time here," Konerko said. "You're always going to pick up the phone if they call, if that happens. They might call tomorrow, they might call in the middle of the season, and then again they might not ever call. That's very possible. "If that happens, fine, that's great. We've had a great run here. I know what I can control, and I know the ending won't be bad, because both sides will handle it the right way." Chicago general manager Ken Williams said he'll sit down with Konerko and his agent Craig Landis at some point this spring to gauge their interest in a possible extension.

The Rays and Carl Crawford have decided to table any further negotiations on a new contract until after the season after being unable to agree to terms. ?We had an opportunity to exchange ideas with the club about a contract extension for Carl and it was clear to all of us that an immediate agreement was not going to materialize,?? agent Brian Peters told the St. Petersburg Times this afternoon. ?Thus, we all agreed to table discussions until the end of the year. We?d like to minimize distractions for Carl and the club and keep the focus on baseball, so we don?t plan to comment upon Carl?s contract status again until after the season.? Crawford reported to camp this week saying he was hoping for the chance to stay, and determined to not allow his pending free agency to become a distraction. He reiterated those feelings Thursday, and said he will no longer talk about the situation. ?I have said before that I?d love to sign a contract extension with the Rays and I hope that things work out that way,?? Crawford said. ?This organization has been great to me and I love playing here. For now, I just want to put all my efforts into helping the Rays return to the World Series, and to win it this time. There will be plenty of time after the season is over to talk about a new contract. To avoid potential distractions for me and my teammates, this is all I?m going to say about my contractual situation until after the season."

As negotiations heat up for several Cuban baseball players who have been working out for major-league teams in the Dominican Republic this week, the Jays have been mentioned with a couple of them. Jose Julio Ruiz is a 25-year-old first baseman touted by some scouts as capable of stepping into a major-league roster right now. He has been scouted extensively the past few weeks and it?s believed he held a private workout on Tuesday for the Jays. Previously, the Jays had made a concerted effort to sign pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who eventually opted for the Cincinnati Reds and a $30-million US deal. A trainer for Ruiz told Nuevo Herald, a Spanish newspaper that Ruiz had interest from six teams and at least three ?concrete offers.? Perhaps of more interest to the Blue Jays is shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria, a 19-year-old who has been called the best shortstop prospect in Cuba. He has been compared favourably to Jose Iglesia who was signed by the Red Sox last summer to a four-year deal worth $8.2 million (including $6-million signing bonus).

Derek Jeter is about to begin the final season of a 10-year, $189 million contract with the Yankees, and said he understands the club policy of not negotiating expiring deals in-season, a stance taken by ownership to minimize potential distractions. The Yankees will also have to handle the final years of deals for closer Mariano Rivera and manager Joe Girardi. "This is the only organization I've ever wanted to play for," Jeter said. "That's still true today. I was a Yankees fan growing up, and this is where I want to be. I've never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don't have to."

The Diamondbacks and the agent for Mark Reynolds have agreed to discuss a multiyear extension up until Opening Day. According to Sports Illustrated, talks will hold off once the season starts until Reynolds is eligible for arbitration at year end. Reynolds made $427,000 last year when he hit 44 homers and 102 RBIs.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee reported to camp on Tuesday and said that he doesn't want to discuss a new contract during the season. The first baseman said that he won't even worry about it if the Cubs don't contact him or his agent. "It's something you really don't think about," Lee said. "I'm not going to approach them, I just want to go and play." Lee hit .306 with 35 home runs and a career-high 111 RBIs in 2009. "I really haven't thought about it much, probably not," he added of talking during the season. "I wouldn't want it to be a distraction."

A number of Hank Blalock's former teammates in Texas are shocked that the free-agent still doesn't have a job. "It is surprising, absolutely," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "I don't know if teams think he can't play defense or injuries are the problem. But the guy showed he can play third base in the past and last year he showed he could play an above-average first base. He surprised me how well he played there last year. "He's a good player ... a very good player. He should be with some team." There was some interest from the Braves, Pirates and Orioles earlier in the offseason, but nothing has materialized. "It's tough to see a guy like that not have a job," first baseman Chris Davis said. "We miss him here. He was a great guy to have in the clubhouse. I hope he gets the opportunity to compete for a job."

The Rays are expected to reduce their payroll next year, but they are still going to try to keep outfielder Carl Crawford beyond the 2010 season. Tampa Bay owner Stuart Sternberg told WDAE-AM in Tampa Bay that the team's payroll would be under $60 million next year. Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said in an interview with FOXSports.com that he will likely address Crawford's status next week. "It'll be something that we'll address more, probably next week," Friedman said. "I don't want to get into it too much. I'd imagine it's something people want to know more about, and rightfully so. We'll kind of give a brief update of where things are and leave it at that. My guess is Carl won't want to talk about it much beyond that, and neither will we."