The Angels may pursue re-acquiring Chone Figgins if they aren't able to sign free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Figgins struggled in his first season with the Mariners after signing a four-year deal. He is due $9.5 million this year and close to $20 million total the following two seasons, so that trade would free up a lot of cash for the Mariners.

The Yankees tried to acquire Jeff Keppinger from the Astros, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that talks "went nowhere." The infielder hit .288 with just 36 strikeouts in 514 at-bats in 2010.

Joakim Soria wouldn't block a trade to the Yankees if the Royals changed their stance of moving him. In an interview with the Mexican paper Vanguard, Soria said he doesn't give much weight to the no-trade clause in his contract, which reportedly allows him to block trades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals, and Cubs. "I didn't put it there, my agent did, as a strategy," Soria said. "But if the Royals decide to trade me to New York I would gladly go to play with the Yankees or any other team... I repeat, I would not block a trade to the Yankees. I like to play baseball and I would play with any team."

The Yankees could express interest in Philadelphia's Joe Blanton or Freddy Garcia if Andy Pettitte opts to retire. The Phillies have been looking to deal Blanton since they signed left-hander Cliff Lee. The Yankees have requested Garcia's medical records since being turning down by Lee.

Once Carl Pavano signs a contract, interest in Phillies right-hander Joe Blanton could increase. The two pitchers have similar statistics, but Blanton is almost five years younger. Philadelphia wants to trade Blanton, who is owed $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons.

It's possible that Aaron Hill could be trade bait for the Blue Jays this winter and heading into the 2011 season. Hill, injury prone the past few years, can become a free agent after next season as he has three club options at the end of his contract. He'll make just $5 million in '11, but the options are for $8 million, $8 million and $10 million. Hill could be a reserve plan for a club in need of a second or third baseman, such as the Cardinals, Angels and Giants.

The Royals are telling teams that they aren't willing to deal closer Joakim Soria, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. Soria's contract is among the most friendly in baseball. Kansas City holds a series of no-risk options through the 2014 season.

Zack Greinke was never close to joining the Yankees or Blue Jays, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Milwaukee acquired Greinke from Kansas City on Sunday. The Yankees had the pieces to get Greinke, but according to multiple sources, talks never got serious. "The Yankees simply were not comfortable with Greinke pitching in New York," Rosenthal wrote. "The Blue Jays never had a shot at Greinke; they, too, were on his no-trade list, and the pitcher was not interested in playing for Toronto," he added.

The Brewers aren't going to trade Prince Fielder, according to general manager Doug Melvin. "You never say never," said Melvin. "I said a few weeks ago I didn't want to trade Lorenzo Cain. But my vision is having Prince on this ballclub and keeping our impact bats intact."

The Orioles have shown interest in pitcher Freddy Garcia. "Source confirmed the #Orioles have inquired about White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia," Jen Royle of MASN wrote on her Twitter page.