Red Sox Pick Up Wakefield's Option  —  The Red Sox went through so many injuries in 2006, it would be hard to pick one as the difference-maker in a season that crashed and burned.  —  But given the lack of pitching depth in the season's second half, not having the normally reliable Tim Wakefield throwing …

Padres decline option on Piazza; Cameron will return  —  SAN DIEGO — If Mike Piazza returns to the San Diego Padres next season, it will have to be for less than $8 million.  —  The Padres declined to exercise 2007 options for Piazza and slugger Ryan Klesko on Monday.

Option play: White Sox keep Buehrle, Dye, Iguchi … CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye and Tadahito Iguchi all were instrumental in helping the Chicago White Sox win the World Series in 2005.  Nearly 12 months later, the White Sox decided to retain their services.

Fick, Guillen file for free agency  —  Russell might be in mix for managerial opening  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals catcher/first baseman Robert Fick and outfielder Jose Guillen were two of 39 players to file for free agency on Monday, bringing the total of Nationals free agents to four.

Mailbag: Mets' biggest need for 2007?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  What are the Mets' greatest needs for 2007 and beyond?  —  Generally, starting pitching and left-handed hitting.  More specifically, a left fielder, a second baseman and an established pitcher likely to make 30-33 starts.

Phils eye Soriano, Sheffield during off-season shuffle  —  The moment the World Series ends is the moment baseball's hot stove starts to heat up.  —  Alfonso Soriano.  Gary Sheffield.  Pat Burrell.  —  Phillies fans will read and hear plenty about those players in the coming months …

Cuban Defectors Find New Homes  —  Need evidence that Major League Baseball's revenue sharing is working and that the sport is healthy financially?  —  Agent Jaime Torres said that three of his most recent Cuban defector clients have reached agreement with major league organizations …

Mailbag: Bucs shopping for free agents?  —  Beat reporter Ed Eagle answers Pirates fans' questions  —  Which of the Pirates are playing winter ball?  Do the Pirates have any influence on who is required to play?  —  According to Pirates baseball operations assistant and all-around good guy Bryan Minniti …

Monday Morning Ten Pack 10/30/06  —  1B Chip Cannon, Phoenix Desert Dogs (Arizona Fall League, Blue Jays)  —  An eighth-round pick in 2004 out of The Citadel, Cannon put himself on the map last year by smacking 32 home runs across three levels, finishing up at Double-A. He stayed at that level …

Mailbag: Will Reds try to trade Dunn?  —  Beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers Reds fans' questions  —  With all the talk of trading Adam Dunn, I have not heard the trade that makes the most sense to me — Dunn for Brad Lidge.  The Reds need a closer and the Astros want Dunn.

Arizona Fall League Notebook: Oct. 30  —  SURPRISE, Ariz.—Hunter Pence has never really been a good defender.  The 23-year-old will hit for average, and you know he's going to hit for power with 59 homers over the last two seasons—the last 28 of which came at Double-A Corpus Christi during the regular season.

The Week In Quotes  —  October 23-30 … —Cardinals outfielder Preston Wilson … —Cardinals infielder Aaron Miles, on Eckstein.  (Denver Post)  —  HE'S REFRAINING FROM BLURTING OUT, "WE GOT BEAT BY THAT MIDGET?!" … —Tigers manager Jim Leyland … —Leyland, clearly incensed.

Pelfrey has own October  —  Met rookie rises in Fall League  —  MESA, Ariz. - The night of Steve Trachsel's short-lived outing in St. Louis during Game 3 of the NLCS, Mike Pelfrey also took the mound.  —  The 2005 first-round pick, who once figured to be a contributor to the Mets' postseason …

Sheffield deal in place  —  The Yankees' auction of Gary Sheffield has progressed to the point that general manager Brian Cashman has a potential deal in place if he wishes to pull the trigger, an official from another American League team told Newsday yesterday.  —  But Cashman is not quite ready to make a trade.