Phillies front-runners for free-agent Helms  —  NAPLES, Fla. — The Phillies have emerged as the clear front-runner for free-agent infielder Wes Helms, though other teams remain in the mix, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Helms, 30, is strongly considering the Phillies' offer of an everyday job …

Milledge on way out?  —  Omar could be ready to deal the outfielder, but his stock is down  —  NAPLES, Fla. — The Mets picked up another young outfielder yesterday, acquiring 25-year-old Ben Johnson, along with righthanded reliever Jon Adkins, from the Padres, in return for relievers Heath Bell and Royce Ring.

Sources: Blue Jays closing in on deal with Thomas … NAPLES, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com.  —  Thomas, 38, batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI last season for the Oakland Athletics.

Boston's bid is the talk of Japan  —  TOKYO — This went well beyond a sports story.  —  The news that a major league team would pay $51.1 million to acquire the negotiating rights to a Japanese player shook the nation on Wednesday.  —  Daisuke Matsuzaka, his team and the Japanese public …

Padres interested in signing Bonds  —  All those who thought the Giants would be the only suitor for Barry Bonds, think again.  —  Specifically, think about Bonds hitting the 22 home runs he needs to break Hank Aaron's all-time record in a Padres' uniform.

Twins express interest in trade for Rockies starter  —  Indications are that the Twins and Rockies are discussing a trade for Colorado righthander Jason Jennings.  —  Indications are that the Twins and Rockies are discussing a trade for Colorado righthander Jason Jennings.

Notes: Third stint for Stanton?  —  Veteran reliever open for return to Washington  —  WASHINGTON — New manager Manny Acta said on Tuesday that he would like to have at least two lefties in the bullpen in 2007, and free-agent reliever Mike Stanton said on Wednesday night that he is willing …

Devil Rays obtain negotiating rights to Iwamura for $4.5 million  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the negotiating rights to Japanese star infielder Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday, submitting a winning bid of about $4.5 million for the power hitter.

Poker face: A-Rod says he wants to stay  —  NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez wants to play the hand he's got with the Yankees.  —  Arriving at his charity poker tournament Wednesday night, the much-maligned slugger insisted he wants to stay in New York rather than be traded to a town where the fans might not be so hard on him.

Dodgers take step to shift training to Arizona  —  After six decades in baseball's most storied spring home, the Dodgers appear to be headed to the Cactus League.  —  The Dodgers and Chicago White Sox have agreed to share a stadium and training complex in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, with the grand opening targeted for 2009.

Center-field job still open  —  NAPLES — The Marlins need a center fielder.  For a moment, Dan Jennings thought he had found one.  —  It was a news photographer who impressed Jennings late Tuesday by sprinting across the lobby of the Naples Grande Resort in time to snap away at the arrival of agent Scott Boras.

Is it ex-Manager of Year?  —  Vote amazes Minaya  —  NAPLES, Fla. - No offense to Joe Girardi, who did a truly commendable job in guiding the $14 million "Baby Marlins" to the brink of the playoffs this season, but if you ask me, Willie Randolph got jobbed yesterday in the Baseball Writers Association NL Manager of the Year voting.

Royals GM is waiting to land pitchers  —  Moore wants to get two starters in free-agency, but not until the market shakes out a bit.  —  Moore is looking for two starting pitchers this winter to bolster a rotation that, statistics shout, ranked as baseball's worst in 2006.  Yet, he finds himself in a holding pattern.