Cubs may be raising stakes for Fukudome  —  Offer thought to be close to $50 million  —  The Padres are facing determined competition from the Cubs for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.  Growing indications yesterday had the Cubs willing to guarantee Fukudome close to $50 million.

Mariners have best three-year offer on table for Hiroki Kuroda  —  Reports out of the winter meetings in Nashville that the Mariners had offered a four-year contract to Japanese starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda were incorrect.  —  A well-placed source in the Mariners organization said Monday night …

Ellsbury seems key in any deal with Red Sox  —  There's still no imminent trade involving Twins ace Johan Santana, but Boston's young center fielder keeps coming up in discussions.  —  The Twins continued exploring potential trade options for Johan Santana on Monday, picking up where they left off at last week's winter meetings.

Lo Duca: The day ahead  —  It's possible that the Lo Duca deal will be finalized today after he completes his physical.  But if you want a thorough breakdown, you must read Boz this morning.  When I talked to Boz yesterday, he was positively giddy over this move.  And he got some great stuff from Tom Glavine on Lo Duca.

Read: MetsBlog Interview with Omar Minaya  —  Mets GM Omar Minaya and LHP Oliver Perez were guests during last night's Mets Hot Stove Report on SNY.  —  To watch a clip of Minaya's appearance, click here.  —  ...i was able to run down to the studio and ask him a few questions …

Red Sox owners buy the Avalanche  —  Deal lets them put their stamp on a minor league team  —  Less than a year after they invested in stock-car racing, the owners of the Red Sox have struck closer to home, becoming one of the few Major League Baseball operations to pursue a minor league franchise.

Brewers ink Gagne to one-year deal  —  Three-time All-Star joins revamped Milwaukee bullpen  —  When the Milwaukee Brewers lost closer Francisco Cordero to free agency, then reliever Scott Linebrink, the bullpen was in disarray.  Not anymore.  —  The Brewers found a new closer …

MATSUI MAY 'WAIVE' BYE  —  The Yankees haven't asked Hideki Matsui to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to San Francisco, but there were strong indications last night he wouldn't stand in the way of a deal if presented to him.  —  When the Giants asked the Blue Jays …

Searching for Mr. Clutch  —  I'm sure many of you read the recent (SI calls it "provocative") piece by Bill James on Sports Illustrated.com titled "Mr. Clutch: Big Papi, Chipper, Pujols come through when it counts".  I was reminded of the piece when I found my copy of the 2008 Hardball Times …

Fans tab Papelbon TYIB's top closer  —  Reliever a hit on, off the field for World Series champions  —  BOSTON — He river-danced with giddiness following each clinching victory — not to mention the World Series parade.  But the Red Sox took far more joy in watching Jonathan Papelbon's moves on the mound.

Ex-Oriole Segui says he experimented with steroids  —  Retired first baseman bought shipments from Mets clubhouse attendant; he declined to talk to Mitchell for report expected to be released later this week  —  When Major League Baseball's Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drug use is released …

Timo Perez re-signs with Tigers; Brandon Inge trade talks  —  Outfielder Timo Perez has elected to remain with the Tigers, by signing a one-year major-league contract worth a maximum of $525,000.  —  The deal is similar in structure to those signed by Detroit infielder Ramon Santiago …