After a few years of being on the trade block, Dan Uggla may now get an extension from the Marlins. ``We don't know exactly what's going to happen yet,'' Uggla said Wednesday. ``But both sides are trying to make an effort where I can stay here for another few years.'' he Marlins and Uggla are far apart on a multi-year deal, with Uggla's representatives asking for a five-year deal totaling about $58 million and the Marlins countering in the range of three years and $24 million. Uggla is making $7.8 million this season, so the Marlins likely will have to go higher. But the two sides are expected to resume talks after the season. ``Do I see it getting done anytime soon?'' Uggla said. ``No. But I do feel like there's going to be a really good effort to get something done. They are going to a new ballpark [in 2012]. Everybody knows I'd like to be here to open it up and they've expressed to me they want me here to open it up, too.''

Hideki Matsui is almost certain not to return to the Angels in 2011, but he could remain in the AL West. Matsui told The Chronicle through an interpreter on Tuesday that he'd consider the A's if they called, "the same as I would for every team." Matsui said he likes the Bay Area and he noted that it has a "decent-sized Asian community."

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez has dispelled speculation he might opt out of his contract. Ramirez told the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday that he will exercise his $14.6 million player option for 2011 and stay with the Cubs. "I'm staying here," he said. "Put it that way."

The Athletics will soon announce that they'll sign free-agent infielder Akinori Iwamura to a contract. Iwamura cleared waivers after being let go by the Pirates recently. He was the starting second baseman for the Rays when they made a World Series appearance in 2008. He would become Oakland's first-ever Japanese position player.

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez said Saturday he's undecided on whether to return for $14.6 million or exercise an escape clause to become a free agent. "That's going to be after the season," he said. "I haven't talked to my agent about it. ... ( The Cubs) have a lot of other things they have to address." If he returns, the Cubs seem unlikely to pick up his $16 million option in 2012 when they can exercise a $2 million buyout.

There has been some speculation about how much money Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will ask for on the free-agent market. Jeter, who has never played for another major-league team, will become a free agent this winter. New York has a policy against negotiating extensions. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com writes that there is 100 percent probability that Jeter will remain with the Yankees. "Where's he going?" said an American League official. "He's going nowhere. He's Derek Jeter. He's a Yankee. And he's going to be a Yankee."

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has given his prediction on where Rays outfielder Carl Crawford will land this winter. "The Yankees," Ortiz predicted. "That's the team that's going to pay him. Either the Yankees or Anaheim." Crawford is expected to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market this offseason.

Red Sox catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez recently turned down a contract extension, according to a source. Martinez is certain that he wants to be a catcher. "It's never gone through my mind that at some point I wasn't a catcher," Martinez said. "I've been a catcher my whole career. It's never gone through my mind that I'm going to stop catching any time soon. "That's something I take a lot of pride in and make sure I prepare myself to catch every day when going through the offseason. I've done that my whole career." Martinez will see his five-year, $15.5 million contract end this winter. Boston recently offered him a two-year extension. "That's a business part of this game," Martinez said. "They're trying to do one thing, and we'll see what happens. I don't really have to do it. They came with something, and that might just be where the negotiations start, but I don't see myself signing a two-year deal. I'm young enough. I work so hard and I give it all. I just want to be treated fair. "It wasn't hard because it was something I wasn't expecting. I wasn't expecting a two-year deal, anyway. I wasn't expecting for them to come to me during the season anyways."

Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn said Tuesday that there has been no progress between the two sides on a long-term contract extension. Dunn's agent, Greg Genske, and the club continue to talk. The slugger is in the final year of a two-year, $20 million contract. "If we can't get something done, obviously, I would like to see what my option are," Dunn said. "I want to stay in one place. It's something I want to do. I never asked for anything like [a four-year deal] ever in my career. It's one thing that I want -- the longer-term contract. That's all I ask for."

David Ortiz appeared to be done in Boston when he was struggling in April, but he has rebounded and is likely to remain with the Red Sox. The team has a $12.5 million option on his contract for the 2011 season. "He's doing well," teammate Kevin Youkilis said. "It's an option the team has. I don't think they're going to turn that one down." Ortiz has a .905 OPS at designated hitter -- the highest at the position this year among those with at least 300 at-bats.