Dodgers, Rangers could make deals for Manny  —  The trade market for left fielder Manny Ramirez consists of four teams, according to major-league sources, and the Dodgers and Rangers appear to be more suitable partners for the Red Sox than the Giants and Padres.  —  FOX Bite  —  Videos

Cardinals close to bringing back Kennedy  —  The Cardinals, bringing back one of their former prospects, are on the verge of signing free-agent second baseman Adam Kennedy to a three-year, $10 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Kennedy, 30, will replace free agent Ron Belliard …

Lucchino, in Japan, makes offer to Matsuzaka  —  Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino, in Japan to try and close a momentous deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka, told reporters there that the Sox have made a formal offer to the Japanese ace.  —  "We have sent a formal offer to Matsuzaka …

NL teams warm up to idea of a Ramírez deal  —  The Manny Ramírez trade chatter predictably spiked upward yesterday, with the winter meetings just days away.  —  While the Red Sox continued to close in on a deal for free agent outfielder J.D. Drew, and have made an offer …

Hanshin accepts $25M bid for Igawa  —  The Hanshin Tigers have accepted the top bid — believed to be about $25 million — for left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa, SI.com has learned.  —  Major League Baseball is expected to announce Tuesday night which team won the bidding.

With New Stadium, Name of Game Is Money  —  With the Washington Nationals on the verge of putting the naming rights to their new stadium up for bid, industry sources say the team likely will receive at least $4 million and possibly as much as $10 million per year on the deal …

Wolf, Dodgers agree to $8M deal  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Randy Wolf and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized an $8 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.  —  Wolf gets $7.5 million next year, and the Dodgers have a $9 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout.

YANKS KEEP FAITH IN UNIT, PAVANO  —  On the day the Yankees officially welcomed soon-to-be 38-year-old Mike Mussina back into their Kate Moss-thin rotation with a two-year, $23 million deal, Brian Cashman said he believes Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano can be counted on to fill in behind Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina.

Eaton and Phillies agree to 3-year, $24 million deal  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Starting pitcher Adam Eaton and the Philadelphia Phillies reached a preliminary agreement on a $24 million, three-year contract, a baseball official told The Associated Press on Monday.

Cubs offer $45M to righty Schmidt  —  The Cubs, anxious to steal the winter and maybe the summer, too, are now pursuing star free-agent pitcher Jason Schmidt, SI.com has learned.  The Cubs already have spent $239 million on free agents (including the $10 million they used for new manager Lou Piniella) …

Sabes says he would decline Hall honor  —  Bret Saberhagen doesn't hold any illusions about his chances of making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame now that he's entered his first year on the ballot.  —  But Saberhagen had some startling words for Hall voters about what he'd do if he got in.

Orioles work to add Bradford, Williamson to bullpen … The Baltimore Orioles, aggressively making over their bullpen this offseason, are expected to sign right-hander Scott Williamson — the fourth veteran the team has targeted for its middle relief this offseason.