Girardi: Moose wants to retire  —  A little bit of news out of the Joe Torre charity event tonight in Manhattan:  —  Joe Girardi revealed for the first time that Mike Mussina told him after the season that he planned to retire.  He has not heard from Moose since.

Brewers' Cameron drawing trade interest from Yankees  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  When the Milwaukee Brewers exercised their $10 million option for 2009 on centerfielder Mike Cameron on Monday, general manager Doug Melvin said he decided Cameron had “value.”

MARKET LOOKS SET TO DELIVER RELIEF TO 'PEN  —  DANA POINT, Calif. - Now is one time the Mets are happy the Yankees have Mariano Rivera.  —  And that the Red Sox have Jonathan Papelbon and the White Sox Bobby Jenks and pretty much every other big-market team has an in-house closing option.

Minor League Free Agents  —  A total of 561 minor league players were declared free agents on Nov. 6.  Major League Baseball and the players' union negotiated a later minor league free agency declaration date as part of the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Rangers exercise 2009 option on infielder Hank Blalock  —  ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers announced today that the organization has exercised its club option on infielder Hank Blalock for the 2009 season.  Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

Hawkins inks 1-year, $3.5M deal with Houston  —  The Houston Astros have signed right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins to a one-year contract for $3.5 million.  The Astros acquired Hawkins from the New York Yankees on July 30.  The 35-year-old pitcher did not allow a run in his first 22 games.

Gary Carter named new manager of the LI Ducks  —  Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who last spring publicly angled for the Mets managing job when it began to appear that Willie Randolph might be fired, Friday was named skipper of the minor league Long Island Ducks.

Peavy trade talks dominate as GM meetings conclude  —  DANA POINT, Calif. — Kevin Towers, San Diego general manager, loaded his suitcase and trade possibilities at midday Thursday and motored back down Interstate 5, headed for home and what increasingly looks like a quick resolution in the Jake Peavy trade talks.

Astros sign Taiwanese closer Lo  —  Young right-hander pitched for national team in Olympics  —  HOUSTON — One year ago, general manager Ed Wade appointed Glen Barker as the Astros' director of Pacific Rim scouting, a brand new position that signaled the club's desire to scour talent …

St. Louis Cardinals in the hunt for Holliday  —  DANA POINT, CALIF. — The Cardinals left a meeting of Major League Baseball general managers Thursday apparently willing to reorder their offseason checklist.  —  After already discussing parlaying an outfield surplus for middle infield help …

PEAVY HEADING FOR ...  CONTINUED  —  Yankee GM Brian Cashman had dinner Wednesday night with Scott Boras (the agent picked up the tab), and discussed four clients in particular: Derek Lowe, Mark Teixeira, Oliver Perez and Manny Ramirez.  It is probably in that order that the Yanks have interest.

Boston Red Sox  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Opinion: The Value of Chemistry  —  There is an intangible that Omar Minaya has to take into consideration this offseason: Team chemistry.  —  The 2008 Rays had it.  The Red Sox of recent years had it.  In fact, any great dynasty, such as the Yankees, Chicago Bulls, or Dallas Cowboys had it.