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.

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 …

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.

Surveying the offseason landscape … ORLANDO, Fla. — The 15-day free-agent filing period still is in effect, so Major League Baseball's general managers are devoting their annual meetings to trade talks, surveying the landscape, and fraternal bonding in the shadow of Disney World.

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 …

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.

Pitching a priority for Baker's Reds  —  Cincy hopes to provide new manager with quality hurlers  —  CINCINNATI — Even with Dusty Baker and his winning track record on board as Reds manager, he can't expect to win without pitching.  —  Like several clubs in the Major Leagues …

Replays, Conspiracies, and Disney  —  Another day in Orlando for the movers and shakers of the baseball world.  Here's what we're hearing:  —  * Jimmie Lee Solomon acknowledged the "glacial pace" of change in baseball.  That translates to "don't expect replay anytime soon."

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 …

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.