Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb may be looking for a contract similar to the one Tim Hudson signed with the Braves. "Webb loves Arizona and they will be considered highly, but Brandon WILL be looking at an incentive-based contract [with] a guaranteed base where [Brad] Penny and [Rich] Harden at $7.5MM, [Ben] Sheets at $10MM and [Tim] Hudson's $9.33MM average annual value are all conversation starters," agent Jonathan Maruer told MLB Trade Rumors. "Webb, when healthy, is one of the top pitchers in the game. Arizona is a great place to play, ([though] it has always been a hitter's park, Webb has dominated there) but I anticipate significant interest in what is a very healthy Brandon Webb, with his signature life back on all his pitches."

The Nationals have given right-hander Livan Hernandez a contract extension. The financial terms of the deal haven't been released, but Hernandez is now under contract through the 2011 season. "We think that he's earned it," Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said. "His coming into spring training in terrific condition and pitching great throughout the season and really being a cornerstone and a leader of the pitching rotation, the time he gives with our young guys. It's just something we think that he earned and deserved and could be a guy for us through the winter that we know he's part of the ballclub, and we know every fifth day we'll be handing him the ball and have a quality start."

The Red Sox have had preliminary talks with Victor Martinez on a contract extension, but nothing serious has been discussed. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that, "He will have a market. The Tigers may be an excellent fit, because they need a catcher and a hitter for the middle of their order."

Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla is seeking a five-year extension worth between $55 million and $60 million, according to sources. Uggla's Florida teammate, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, got a six-year, $70 million deal from the team.

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the 2011 season, but he has no plans to do so. "I'm here," Sabathia said. "Hundred percent." "I think you know I've built a house here, right?" he said. "My kids go to school here. We live here year round. So I'm not going anywhere." Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million mega-contract before the 2009 season.

With outfielder Nelson Cruz on the disabled list, the Rangers are showing interest in free-agent Brad Hawpe. Hawpe, a native of Fort Worth, was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Thursday.

Diamondbacks first-round pick Barret Loux will become a free agent on Sept. 1 as part of an agreement approved by commissioner Bud Selig. Arizona selected the right-hander from Texas A&M with the sixth-overall pick in June's amateur draft, but he did not sign due to health concerns by the club. Typically, draft picks who don't sign must re-enter a subsequent draft and the team receives a compensatory pick. The agreement allows Loux to sign with any team and gives Arizona the seventh pick in next year's draft as compensation.

The Red Sox and catcher Victor Martinez have held preliminary talks about a long-term contract, according to a league source. The Boston Globe reports that nothing is close. Martinez may fall into the four-year, $60 million range.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan is denying the notion that the heat in Texas may hurt the team's chances of re-signing pitcher Cliff Lee. "That's part of playing in Texas: You've got to figure out how to deal with the heat," Lee said after his shortest outing of the season on Wednesday. "It was definitely a hot one, but it was hot for both sides. That's an excuse. I'm not going to sit here and make excuses. It was a even playing field and both teams had to deal with it. You can't change the weather. You can't change the environment. It is what it is and you have to deal with it." Lee will be a highly coveted free agent this winter. "The heat is what it is," Ryan said Thursday. "What your attitude is about the heat is a personal thing -- how you view it, how you use it, if it's a distraction for you. It depends on the individual. "As far as Cliff's concerned, it was one of the hottest games because it was extremely hot and there wasn't a breeze. I'm a believer that you use that to your advantage. He outlasted the other pitcher." The temperature at first pitch Wednesday was 99 degrees.

The Nationals are among a host of teams that are expected to show interest in Rays outfielder Carl Crawford when he hits the free agent market this winter. The Yankees and Red Sox have been linked to the left fielder as well and he could command well over $70 million. Washington is more interested in Crawford than Philadelphia's Jayson Werth, who could actually command more money.