The Royals and Marlins could be closing in on a deal that would send first baseman Mike Jacobs to Kansas City for a relief pitcher. "I can?t comment on specific players who may or may not be available to us," Royals' GM Dayton Moore said. "We?re going to do everything we can to make our team better and improve our offense. That?s all I can say about that. I can?t go into any detail." Jacobs, 28, hit a career-high 32 homers last season in 141 games.

If the Angels are unable to re-sign Mark Teixeira, they could make a play for White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who came close to signing with the team after the 2005 season. Konerko is reportedly friendly with Angel's Manager Mike Scioscia dating to their days in the Dodgers' organization. The first baseman has two years remaining on his contract.

Royals" GM Dayton Moore has denied that he's discussing a trade involving Mark Teahen with the Indians. "That's an absolute lie," Moore said on Monday, adding for emphasis, "an absolute lie. It's a lie." The Royals were reportedly talking to the Indians about dealing Teahen to the Indians for either outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Ben Francisco or Trevor Crowe, a Minor Leaguer. "Not only have I not been discussing it, but it's a flat-out lie, and you can print that," Moore said.

The Mets believe they have a deep enough farm system to trade some of their prospects for a reliever, rather than throw money at high-priced free agents. Candidates for such a trade could be Oakland's Huston Street, Seattle's J.J. Putz, Baltimore's George Sherrill, Kansas City's Joakim Soria, and Florida's Kevin Gregg. The Mets, like most teams, are turned off by the expected prices of Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.

If the Red Sox are able to sign Mark Teixeira, they could move Kevin Youkilis to third base, which would make Mike Lowell expendable. Several teams are in need of a third baseman, including the Indians, Twins, Tigers, and Dodgers. Lowell could be valuable with only two years remaining on his contract and the likelihood the Sox would be willing to pay some of the contract.

The Indians are in search of a third baseman, and are considering a trade with the Royals for Mark Teahen. Kansas City is looking for a center fielder, which would allow them to move David DeJesus to left. Cleveland has an excess of outfielders in which to trade. The Indians like Teahen's versatility. He played first and third base and all three outfield positions last season. He also has a good arm and manager Eric Wedge complimented him last season on his base-running.

The Cubs are on the list of teams that Jake Peavy would wave his no-trade clause for even though the teams don't appear to be a fit for one another. However, sources won't be surprised if Chicago GM Jim Hendry tried to put together a package that would include a swap of first basemen Derrek Lee and Adrian Gonzalez, who is rumored to be untouchable.

The Rockies would prefer to deal infielder Garrett Atkins, but will listen to trade offers for outfielder Matt Holliday this winter. Colorado appears to be looking to improve their starting pitcher this offseason. "It's going to be interesting to see what happens," Holliday has said repeatedly. Holliday, who will be a free agent after next season, is monitoring the trade speculation. He turned down a multiyear contract offer last spring, and there has been no progress on a new deal since

General Manager Frank Wren has reiterated that the Braves will not trade their top prospects for San Diego's Jake Peavy. Atlanta has been rumored to be interested in Peavy ever since the Padres admitted that they would consider offers for him. "From our perspective we still feel the same and we are looking to the future when that next wave of talent I spoke of arrives in Atlanta," Wren said. The two top minor league players mentioned in speculation are starting pitcher Tommy Hanson and outfielder Jordan Schafer.

Mariners' third baseman Adrian Beltre has one year left on his contract, and the team could look to deal him this winter. Seattle will have to decide whether Beltre, 29, is a piece of the team's future or a chip that can be used to acquire a number of prospects.