Published reports continue to indicate that the Nationals have serious interest in Manny Ramirez, but those reports are false according to a baseball source who asked not to be identified. The Nationals have often said that they are looking for players for the long term. According to a baseball source, Washington has serious interest in free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley.

Cubs' GM Jim Hendry praised Mark DeRosa for his contributions over the last two years but added, ?We felt like we had to move forward in this direction, and that?s why we decided to make the deal.? The reason for moving DeRosa had as much to do with his position as anything. With Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot, and Geovany Soto as everyday players, second was their only option for a lefty hitter. ?There really wasn?t another place to get more left-handed than at second,? Hendry said. ?We certainly like the way Fontenot played last year and we think he?s deserving of more time, and that?s why the acquisition of Miles (was made). ... When you really stop to analyze it, if you want three, four, potentially five (left-handed hitters) on the field at the same time, then second base was an area we felt like we possibly could make a change. It certainly had nothing to do with the type of player DeRosa is, and he was an integral part of us winning the last two years. "He certainly lived up to everything we thought he would be. But when you look at it from that perspective, moving forward, that was the area to probably change the deck at.?

Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez has reportedly been seen dining with two beautiful women dining out in Miami. In the midst of a divorce, Rodriguez was linked to pop star Madonna throughout the summer and fall.

Outfielder Matt Holliday is expected to headline the 2009 free agent class, with the Athletics unlikely to even attempt signing him long-term. Holliday employs Scott Boras as his agent, which could drive the former Colorado slugger's price up in the thin market. The Rockies hoped to sign Holliday to a long-term contract in the spring of last year, but they were not able to take their star player out of the upcoming free-agent class.

Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald believes that Adam Dunn would be wonderful in the Cubs' lineup but doubts the team will sign him. Miles believes that Chicago manager Lou Piniella would have a hard time finding a spot for Dunn in the team's lineup.

The Cleveland Indians have acquired versatile infielder Mark DeRosa in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. The Indians sent minor league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Caub to Chicago on Wednesday for DeRosa.

The Angels and left-hander Brian Fuentes have agreed to a two-year contract, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Fuentes saved 30 games for the Colorado Rockies last season with a 2.73 ERA in 62 2/3 innings. The deal is reportedly worth $17.5 million over two seasons. RealGM Note: Fuentes 'deserved' to make $6.5 million in 2008 and had a Reina Value of +29%.

The Cubs agreed to terms with versatile free agent infielder Aaron Miles on a two-year, $4.9 million contract, adding important depth to the middle infield. Miles, a switch-hitter who spent the past three seasons with St. Louis, played seven positions for the Cardinals last season, primarily second base (49 starts) and shortstop (24). RealGM Note: As the 428th ranked player in season FIC, Miles 'deserved' to make $1 million in 2008 and had a Reina Value of -29%.

A person in regular contact with Yankee brass said Tuesday he believes the club still wants Andy Pettitte back and believes a deal will get done, perhaps as early as next week. According to this person, someone in the Yankee organization was putting out that word as something of a scare tactic, knowing that Pettitte badly wants to pitch for the Yankees next season. "They just want him at their price, that's still the bottom line," the person said. Pettitte earned $16 million last season and apparently is reluctant to take a $6 million cut.

The Dodgers have signed right-hander Claudio Vargas to an incentive-laden, one-year deal. Vargas will be paid a base salary of $400,000 and can earn an additional $1.4 million in incentives.