Phils get ex-Astros closer Lidge in 5-player deal  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired reliever Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros in a five-player trade on Wednesday night.  —  The Phillies sent outfielder Michael Bourn, pitcher Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo to Houston …

Lowell, Timlin file for free agency  —  World Series MVP, club trying to hammer out new contract  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox continue to work on getting a deal done for Mike Lowell, even after the third baseman and World Series MVP filed for free agency on Tuesday.

Clemens to work for Astros, may be done playing  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Roger Clemens is ready to join the Houston Astros — as a consultant.  —  In a sign that Clemens' pitching career could be over, his agent told the Astros on Wednesday that the seven-time Cy Young winner is set to start his personal-services contract with the team.

Shortstop crop is thinning out  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Rays weren't looking to spend a great deal on a shortstop.  But with potentially attractive veterans Omar Vizquel and Juan Uribe coming off the already thin free-agent market Wednesday, it seems even more likely they'll have to make a deal …

Texas Rangers need extra dollars to make sense  —  Whenever the Texas Lottery grows above $10 million, I pick up a few tickets.  (Who wants to waste their time with a piddling amount like $4 or $5 million?)  By the time I get home, I've got the annual payment figured out, the money divvied up and my new lifestyle already settled.

Reliever Dotel joins free-agent field  —  Available players can start talking with other clubs Tuesday  —  ATLANTA — If Octavio Dotel returns to the Braves for the 2008 season, his salary will likely be less than he'd hoped.  —  As expected the Braves declined his $5.5 million option …

Yankees reportedly interested in Tejada  —  O's shortstop could be fallback for New York if they strike out on Miguel Cabrera  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - Though it's much too early to fit Miguel Tejada for pinstripes, it's not entirely out of the question either.

Rays' doors are open to all offers … LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Rays didn't trade Scott Kazmir to the Mets on Tuesday.  Or Delmon Young to the Giants.  Or Rocco Baldelli to the Twins.  Or Carl Crawford to any of a half-dozen supposedly interested teams.  —  But that doesn't mean they someday wouldn't.

Nationals target Gomez, Pelfrey  —  Outfielder, righty would help add youth to roster  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are not close to making any deals at the General Managers Meetings in Orlando, Fla., but, according to a baseball source, the team has its sights on Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-hander Mike Pelfrey.

Huntington fills out front-office staff  —  New Pirates GM hires key personnel to manage farm system  —  PITTSBURGH — Continuing to fill critical personnel vacancies, general manager Neal Huntington filled out his baseball operations team by naming the organization's farm director …

Beinfest an A1 dealer  —  Sure, it's depressing to see Miguel Cabrera's name out there on the trading block, but at least Larry Beinfest has been here before.  —  If nothing else, Marlins fans (both of them) should take solace in that.  They also should trust Beinfest's track record …

Johnny D arrives  —  ORLANDO — Johnny Damon just pulled up to the hotel here at the GM Meetings in his brand new Ferrari.  He said he met with new Yankees' manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman and received assurances that he would be the Yankee left fielder next season.