Brewers closing in on Counsell  —  The Milwaukee Brewers are getting closer to a deal with free-agent infielder Craig Counsell, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  If the Brewers are able to land the former Diamonbacks shortstop, it could result in the Padres making a move to obtain Tony Graffanino as their every day second baseman.

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 …

Red Sox can't reduce bid for Matsuzaka  —  BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox cannot reduce their $51.1 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in order to sign him, even if his Japanese team agrees to take less, baseball officials said Tuesday.  —  "There are no side deals in the situation," …

Notes: Wolf says he'll miss Philly  —  Lure of pitching at home for Dodgers too strong to pass up  —  PHILADELPHIA — Randy Wolf is already picturing himself throwing that first pitch from the Dodger Stadium mound, this time for the home team.  —  "I think every kid grows up wanting to play for the team he watched," Wolf said.

Guillen Named DIBS Player of the Year  —  Rogers and Verlander also garner hardware  —  DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Independent Baseball Scribes announced Tuesday (Nov. 28) the winners of the 2006 DIBS Awards.  Shortstop Carlos Guillen was named the DIBS Player of the Year as voted on by DIBS members.

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.

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.

Blue Jays, Zaun agree on $7.25M deal  —  In a stunning turn of events, the Blue Jays have reached agreement with free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun on a two-year, $7.25 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  The Jays had a two-year, $5.25 million deal in place with free-agent catcher Rod Barajas …

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) …

Suites, tickets, no-trade provision all part of Soriano deal  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  CHICAGO — Alfonso Soriano will be paid $18 million annually in the final five years of his $136 million, eight-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, the fifth-richest contract in baseball history.