O's Find Soriano Is Seeking A Rich Free Agent Payday  —  The Baltimore Orioles, according to a team source, began preliminary discussions with Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano , and were floored by the free agent's initial contract outline.  —  According to the source …

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 exercise options for Cameron, Branyan, decline Piazza, Klesko  —  The Padres on Monday exercised their 2007 contractual options for outfielder Mike Cameron and infielder/outfielder Russell Branyan.  Meanwhile, the team declined to exercise the options for catcher Mike Piazza and first baseman Ryan Klesko.

KENNEDY INTRIGUED BY METS  —  Playing for the Mets appeals to Adam Kennedy.  —  Kennedy, one of the elite options among free-agent second basemen this winter, has spent the last seven seasons with the Angels.  He filed for free agency on Sunday, however, and yesterday his agent, Paul Cohen …

SUPPAN UP  —  YANKS MAY TURN TO CARDS RIGHTY FOR ROTATION BOOST  —  The Yankees continue to hear from teams asking about Gary Sheffield, but it doesn't appear they expect to get a starting pitcher in exchange for the slugger if they pick up his option with the intent of trading him.

World Series Prospectus  —  Looking Forward: Tigers and Cardinals  —  Losing the World Series was the best thing that could have happened to the Tigers.  —  Okay, that's just not true.  In fact, it's hard to think of a franchise whose self-identity would have been more transformed by a championship.

An offseason filled with intrigue awaits  —  A little after the fact, for some of us, it's become clear how to pick the baseball playoffs — in each series, just look at the regular-season records and then go with the team that looks less impressive.  The key, it seems, is wasting as few wins …

Mailbag: Will Burrell return in 2007?  —  Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers Phils fans' questions  —  I recently heard general manager Pat Gillick sing the praises of Pat Burrell and his 29 homers when asked about him.  Should I take this to mean that Burrell will be back next season?

Cubs' Ramirez plays the market  —  3rd baseman exercises opt-out, files for free agency  —  Aramis Ramirez exercised his opt-out clause on Monday and filed for free agency, leaving $33.5 million on the table.  —  Whether it's simply a procedural move or an indication he intends to flee …

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 …

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 …

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: The skipper search continues  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' burning questions … What are the odds of Alfonso Soriano staying with the Nationals, given that they lost the opportunity to trade him for some decent pitching?  — Kent B., Dumfries, Va.

Details on the new CBA  —  Maury Brown has authored a series of articles here, there, and everywhere about the new Collective Bargaining Agreement which has been agreed upon, though not yet ratified, by both Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players' Association.

GM glad to make interviews in person  —  Rangers general manager Jon Daniels expressed relief Monday that he will be able to interview all five candidates for the managerial opening in person.  —  There had been some uncertainty whether he would be able to meet with Trey Hillman …