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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Reds hire Jeff Brantley  —  Former closer rejoins team as broadcaster  —  CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds chief executive officer Bob Castellini today announced the hiring of former Reds relief pitcher and current baseball analyst Jeff Brantley for Reds Radio and Reds TV broadcasts.

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.