Dukes traded to Nationals  —  The Rays finally had enough of Elijah Dukes.  —  The Rays confirmed and announced they have traded the troubled outfielder to the Nationals, and will get back minor-league left-hander Glenn Gibson, who was 4-3, 3.10 in 12 starts for short-season Class A Vermont this season.

Relievers, outfielders on Texas' radar  —  Rangers express interest in Gagne, ask about Bucs' Bay  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rangers could bring back Eric Gagne as their closer or add LaTroy Hawkins to the mix of candidates for that job.  —  They are one of a number of teams that have asked …

Notes: Kearns could be on the move  —  Outfielder may be traded to deepen Nats' starting rotation  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said on Monday that there will be four players — Wily Mo Pena, Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes and Austin Kearns …

Yankees might pull out of Santana talks for good … NASHVILLE — With the Yankee's self-imposed deadline approaching, the Twins and Yankees were getting nowhere Monday night in their attempt to complete a deal for Johan Santana.  So the Yankees were again making noises that they might pull out of the Santana talks for good.

Buzz: Mets work with O's on Bedard  —  During an appearance on WFAN, beat-reporter Sweeny Murti said, "There is news floating around that the Mets are close on Erik Bedard." … ...Update...8:45 pm...  ...earlier, i was sent on a wild-goose chase suggesting that the Mets could be working …

Lobby blogging: The Francona Rule  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona officially has a rule named after him.  —  "There's going to be, for lack of a better term, a 'Francona Rule,'" said Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's Vice President of Rules and On-Field Operations.  "You can only wear your uniform top or jacket.

Pettitte takes $16 million, adding to total  —  Just received an e-mail back from Randy Hendricks.  —  Andy Pettitte will play for his original $16 million next season.  There are no options.  He decided on Saturday, they talked it over on Sunday and now it's done.

D-backs trade Quentin to White Sox  —  Arizona receives Minor League first baseman Carter in return  —  NASHVILLE — The D-backs traded outfielder Carlos Quentin to the White Sox for Minor League first baseman Chris Carter on Monday.  —  Carter, who will turn 21 later this month …

Santana?  —  A rotation featuring Beckett, Santana as the top two is pretty much as good as it can get.  The thought of pitching behind these guys has to fire ya up.  That being said I look at it like this.  —  If we make the move we'll have done so with Theo knowing whatever he had to trade …

Andruw to Dodgers?  Roaming, reporting from Nashvegas  —  There are about 400 laptops opened for business in this cavernous media work room, but only about 100 of them have people tapping at keyboards on this chilly Monday afternoon in Nashville.  Other laptops sit lonely, at the ready.

Kuhn elected to Hall of Fame; union adversary Miller left out again  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the revamped Veterans Committee on Monday while his longtime adversary, players' union boss Marvin Miller, was left out for the second time this year.