Pirates plan patience with offseason moves  —  Wilson, Grabow, Paulino discussed in trades; little in free agency  —  The way general manager Neal Huntington sees it, the Pirates' coming winter could be downright tumultuous.  —  Or not.  —  “It could be an offseason where there is a significant change …

Dodgers complicating Yanks' arbitration decision  —  Updated 10:43 a.m.: Before this week, we all assumed that Andy Pettitte would come back to New York or retire.  Last week's news that Andy and Joe Torre were talking L.A. upset that balance.  —  Today, in the Paper That Must Not Be Named …

Buyers Beware: $100M pitching pacts big risks  —  A general manager is both hopeful and nervous about giving a pitcher a contract of $100 million or more, sort of how a pilot might feel flying into The Bermuda Triangle.  Neither knows what will happen during the contract or the flight …

First-Time Positive Results Withheld  —  Major League Baseball said earlier this week that the number of players who tested positive for amphetamines for the first time in 2008 would be made public in a report on its drug-testing program to be released in January.

Do the numbers still add up for Hall?  —  There are stats that ensure a players' Hall of Fame future.  —  Or do they?  —  Have the numbers been blurred in recent years to the point where what once were standards no longer provide guarantees for enshrinement?

Sources: Righthander Koplove signs with Phillies  —  Last December, a little known free agent named Chad Durbin signed with the Phillies and went on to establish himself as one of the key components in a bullpen that finished the regular season ranked as the best in the National League East.

Identifying major holes teams need to fill … It is great fun this time of year to rework lineups, starting rotations and bullpens after a trade or a free-agent signing.  It is just as interesting to determine how teams will fill holes that are left from those trades and signings.

Boston Signs Junichi Tazawa?  —  By Alex Walsh [November 28 at 11:36am CST]  —  Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa appears close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, reports Chad Finn at the Boston Globe.  The offer for the 22-year old is reportedly a three-year, major league deal nearing $6MM …

11/28 Hot Stove Update  —  Now that you have digested your Turkey lets get back to the Hot Stove.  On Thursday, Joe Demayo and Frank Russo gave us the latest on the NYBD Rumor Mill.  —  Joe still believes a deal can get done for Huston Street.  The Mets are not going to give up two relievers …

Detroit Tigers lose interest in a Julio Lugo trade  —  A week after trading away center fielder Coco Crisp [stats], the Red Sox [team stats]' efforts to move shortstop Julio Lugo [stats] have stalled.  —  The team had some discussions earlier this month with the Detroit Tigers, who are in the market for a shortstop.

Francisco Rodriguez's agent will wait on contract talks  —  Paul Kinzer, who represents the Angels' closer, says he won't start detailed discussions with teams until the winter meetings in two weeks.  —  Staff And Wire Reports  —  The agent for Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez …