General feeling is Sox  —  They're perceived leaders on Teixeira  —  One of the general managers involved in the Mark Teixeira negotiations was asked last night, “Are you still in it?”  He answered, “I honestly don't know.”  —  Evidently, Teixeira's final landing spot has become a mystery to some of the people involved.

Melvin: Cameron-Yanks deal is ‘dead’  —  Brewers GM uncertain if he'd be interested if talks were to resume  —  MILWAUKEE — As Brewers general manager Doug Melvin sees it, his trade talks with the Yankees are “dead.”  —  “It's probably not going to happen,” Melvin said.

On Frank Wren  —  With the collapse of the Furcal-to-Atlanta deal, Frank Wren has been getting a lot of criticism.  I'm not sure it's warranted, but I think now is a good time to pass along a few thoughts related to the Braves GM.  — I heard Frank Wren on the the radio this morning …

Nick Willhite dies at 67; former pitcher for the Dodgers and Angels  —  Pitcher for Dodgers  —  Nick Willhite, 67, a left-handed pitcher whose five-year baseball career was highlighted by the shutout he threw in his debut with the Dodgers in 1963, died of cancer Sunday at a son's home in Alpine, Utah.

Dave Smith remembered for generosity  —  SAN DIEGO — Dave Smith, a former All-Star closer who holds the Houston Astros record for games pitched, died Wednesday.  He was 53.  —  Former big leaguer Tim Flannery said Smith apparently died of a heart attack, but the official cause of death wasn't known.

K-ROD, PUTZ WILL BOTH GET CHANCES  —  Jerry Manuel is putting the egos of his two new All-Star relievers to the test next season.  —  The Mets manager revealed yesterday that Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz will share the closing duties next season, a plan that could cause fireworks because of the personalities involved.

Jenks reacts to trade rumors, critics  —  Dip in velocity by design, not injury says White Sox closer  —  CHICAGO — Firing the baseball at 100 mph past opposing hitters' feeble attempts to make contact once stood as a trademark of Bobby Jenks' pitching repertoire upon arriving in the Majors.

Sabathia Offers Yanks What Money Can't Buy  —  In a bizarre spectacle of arrogance and denial, the Mets and the Yankees are hosting back-to-back introductions for their multimillion-dollar pitchers this week.  —  Even as the nation continues to reel from the effect of economic body blows …

Doumit deal nearly done, McLouth's nearly ‘dead’  —  Pirates' multiyear contract offers take widely divergent paths  —  The Pirates are on the verge of signing catcher Ryan Doumit to a multiyear extension, and it could happen within the week, according to a source directly involved in the negotiations.

Tigers' signing of catcher Matt Treanor should be announced soon  —  The Tigers are expected to announce in the coming days that they have agreed to a one-year contract with backup catcher Matt Treanor.  —  One person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday night that the sides …

Towers is assessing potential options to shore up team's middle infield  —  Veteran middle infielders Omar Vizquel, David Eckstein and Mark Grudzielanek are on the Padres' radar to varying degrees, General Manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday, but it's still early.