Hot Stove Rumblings on Cameron, Pettitte and Manny  —  In talking to some people involved today, I get the feeling the Yankees are backing away from a potential Melky Cabrera-for-Mike Cameron trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, at least for now.  There's a deal the teams could make …

Phillies re-sign Jamie Moyer to a two-year contract  —  Left-hander Jamie Moyer signed a two-year contract, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. announced today.  —  Moyer, 46, went 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 33 starts for the Phillies this past season, leading the team in wins.

JAYS OUT OF RUNNING FOR FURCAL  —  The Rafael Furcal sweepstakes are down to three teams.  I have heard the Blue Jays have dropped out because the bidding got too rich.  That leaves the perceived front-running A's, and also the Dodgers and Royals.  —  A few sources involved in the negotiations told …

For Sox, Mark Teixeira deal would be 2nd to none  —  Money matters  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  The courtship of Mark Teixeira is consuming a great deal of time and energy on Yawkey Way.  —  Should the Red Sox [team stats] eventually come out on top …

Is D.Cabrera a commodity?  —  Baltimore Sun baseball guy Dan Connolly just got off the phone with Mike Powers, the agent for just-released pitcher Daniel Cabrera, and Powers says he's been on the phone a lot since the Orioles chose to non-tender D-Cab on Friday night.

Astros sign outfielder Jason Michaels  —  The Astros signed Jason Michaels to a one-year, $750,000 contract plus incentives, essentially filling the club's other backup outfielder's role for the 2009 season.  —  With Michaels and Darin Erstad to go along with starters Carlos Lee …

Moores seeking buyers for Padres  —  Owner hires firm to aid search, reiterates commitment to on-field success  —  San Diego Padres owner John Moores told MLB.com this weekend that he has hired Goldman Sachs to identify potential buyers for the ballclub.  —  Moores, who bought the team …

Cubs To Sign Joey Gathright  —  By Tim Dierkes [December 15 at 7:20pm CST]  —  Word from WSCR 670 in Chicago is that the Cubs will sign outfielder Joey Gathright.  We've heard the same from a source.  Gathright, 28 in April, was non-tendered by the Royals on Friday.

Free agent Wolf confirms Mets' interest  —  Left-hander could replace Perez in New York's rotation  —  NEW YORK — The need for an additional left-handed pitcher in the Mets' rotation seems to increase with each day that Oliver Perez doesn't re-sign.  The trades that removed Scott Schoeneweis …

Mel Stottlemyre believes J.J. Putz can succeed here, but sets up concern  —  Mel Stottlemyre was J.J. Putz's pitching coach last season in Seattle and knows enough about the Mets' new reliever to believe that he can thrive in New York.  —  The one adjustment that bears watching, though …

50 Most Influential people in sports business 2008  —  This year's list naming the 50 Most Influential People in Sports Business almost felt like a sidebar to the debate that dominated our selection process.  Time and time again, the discussion veered back to whether the crippled economy …

Lefty Capuano agrees to Minors deal  —  Former All-Star looking to work his way back from elbow injury  —  MILWAUKEE — Former All-Star left-hander Chris Capuano was close to finalizing an incentive-laden Minor League contract with the Brewers on Monday, according to a baseball source.

The Museum  —  This one's personal, very personal, so personal that I decided a while ago that I probably should not write about it.  But, in the end, I suspect that not writing about it sends a message too, an unclear message, so I'm going to spend a few minutes here on the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

Atlanta Braves  —  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.

Vizquel hopes to play again in 2009  —  Eleven-time Gold Glove winner believes he can still compete  —  Free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel wants to play at least one more season before ending a Major League career that includes 11 Gold Glove Awards and three All-Star Game appearances.