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.

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.

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 …

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 …