The Red Sox are likely to offer catcher Jason Varitek arbitration to ensure that they will get something in return should he reject the deal and sign elsewhere. Varitek is a Type A free agent, meaning that Boston would guarantee themselves two draft picks should he sign with another team.

The Braves don't plan to offer pitcher John Smoltz arbitration by Monday's deadline as they wait to see how he heals from shoulder surgery in June. If Atlanta did offer arbitration, and Smoltz accepted, he would position himself to make at least 80 percent of his 2008 salary ($14 million).

The White Sox have no intention of bringing Orlando Cabrera back to the team but are offering him arbitration in hopes of landing extra draft picks. If Cabrera rejects the team's offer, which is expected, Chicago would receive two draft picks as compensation.

Kansas City must make a decision on Monday regarding whether or not to offer veteran infielder Mark Grudzielanek arbitration. If arbitration is offered, and Grudzielanek signs with another team, the Royals would receive a compensatory draft pick. Grudzielanek is the team's only free agent.

Yankees' pitcher Phil Hughes spoke with Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News recently, saying that he is focused on the 2009 season. He has kept tabs on New York's pursuit of a number of high-profile free agents. "It's just one of those wait-and-see things," Hughes said. "We'll sign whoever we sign this winter, and I'll go to spring training with the same attitude that I always do. I don't worry about the things I can't control." Hughes suffered from a rib injury during the 2008 season, meaning that - depending on free agent signings - he may have to fight for a spot in the team's rotation. "Especially the way my season went, that's realistically going to be the case," Hughes said. "I had the same attitude in spring training when I was 19 and had no shot at making the team as I did last year when everyone expected I would. I'll just work hard and see where that takes me."

Reds' GM Walt Jocketty commented on the offseason Saturday, admitting that the team has had trade discussions with the White Sox. "I'm not going to comment," Jocketty said. "But we have talked to the White Sox about some players. Nothing is close." There have been rumors that Cincinnati is interested in Jermaine Dye, while Jocketty shot down rumors that he is interested in shortstop Khalil Greene.

Legendary Red Sox slugger Jim Rice is on this year's Hall of Fame ballot for the fifteenth time this year, his final year of eligibility. If Rice isn't named on at least 75 percent of the ballots, he will be dropped from the ballot and have to rely on the reconstituted Veterans Committee to install him in Cooperstown someday. Rice missed election by only 16 votes last year and was named on nearly 72 percent of the ballots. No player who has ever received 70 percent of the vote in a prior year has ever failed to be elected.

The Phillies have until Monday to offer salary arbitration to their four free agents: lefthander Jamie Moyer, leftfielder Pat Burrell, and relievers Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez. Philadelphia is likely to offer Moyer arbitration. They have had serious discussions with the pitcher about a contract extension but have been unable to reach an agreement. If Moyer, 46, accepts arbitration by next Sunday's deadline, he would be a signed player for 2009.

The Orioles have reportedly revisited trade talks with the Cubs about outfielder Felix Pie, and could end up as the third team in a deal that would send Jake Peavy to Chicago. Baltimore targeted Pie at this time last year, when a deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts was discussed. Orioles president Andy MacPhail said yesterday that a deal is not imminent, but acknowledged that Pie is the kind of player the team is pursuing. "We have a lot of different irons in the fire," MacPhail said. "We're in the process of determining who our trading partners might be and which free agents we might have a chance to sign. We're basically in the same position as everybody else, waiting for a couple of big dominoes to fall."

Free agency isn't the only avenue the Mets are exploring to find a closer this offseason. They reportedly have interest in the Houston's Jose Valverde, Colorado's Huston Street, Seattle's J.J. Putz, and Bobby Jenks of the White Sox. New York's bullpen this past season had a 4.25 ERA, which ranked 13th in the National League.