Detroit Tigers acquire SS Jack Wilson from Pirates  —  It seems to be the week for shortstop roulette on the Hot Stove, and the latest is that the Pirates have sent Jack Wilson to the Tigers.  —  The teams had been in discussions for a while, but according to a person familiar with the deal, it is done.

Braves make offer to free-agent pitcher Burnett  —  GM Wren wouldn't discuss terms, but offer believed to be four years with option for fifth year  —  The Braves have made an offer to free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, who is considered the second-best starter available this offseason behind CC Sabathia.

Torre says Pettitte not going to Dodgers  —  Joe Torre has spoken with Andy Pettitte, the Dodgers' manager confirmed to Newsday, but doesn't foresee Pettitte heading West for a reunion with his former manager.  —  “I don't think that's going to happen,” Torre said Thursday, in a telephone interview.

Brewers sign Julio  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has resurrected the careers of closers in the past, such as Derrick Turnbow, Dan Kolb and Francisco Cordero.  —  Perhaps he'll do it again with Jorge Julio.

Reds sign Lincoln to two-year deal  —  While the Rockies are moving methodically in their search for relievers, a few have come off the board over the last few days.  The Cincinnati Reds signed right-handed free agent Mike Lincoln to a two-year, $4-million deal accoding to contract information obtained by The Denver Post.

A-Rod to play for the Dominican in WBC  —  Buzz up!  —  Alex Rodriguez, who nearly sat out the inaugural World Baseball Classic because he did not want to choose between playing for his native United States or the Dominican Republic, the country of his parents' birth, is changing uniforms for the 2009 Classic.

Baseball Prospectus: Joe Sheehan is Mets GM for a day … Here's the thing about the New York Mets: For all of the focus on their bullpen, which was definitely a reason for their late-season collapses in 2007 and 2008, that is both the most easily explained and the most reparable problem that they have.

3 UP: Putz Made Available, Bradford and Baldelli  —  1. A rumor was floated yesterday that the Mets are working on a blockbuster that would net them both Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye from the White Sox, with top prospect Fernando Martinez going to Chicago.  Talked to a few Met officials who called it nonsense.

Minor League Transactions  —  This week's installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Nov. 21 and Dec. 1.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Signed: RHP Seth Etherton  —  Placed on restricted list: 2B Rafael Hilario

JAYS PLAN TO LOSE BURNETT, HAVE LITTLE TO SPEND AT MEETINGS  —  The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing for life without A.J. Burnett as next week's winter meetings approach, and they'll head to Las Vegas lacking the financial wherewithal to get in on any of the major action.

Tejada backup a goal for Meetings  —  Astros could use infield depth to support veteran shortstop  —  An overview of the Astros heading into next week's Winter Meetings, which open on Monday at the Bellagio in Las Vegas:  —  Club needs  —  Starting pitching: The Astros inked Mike Hampton to a low-based …

Sabathia's heart may be in S.F.  —  Just how badly does CC Sabathia want to pitch at home in California?  We may find out very soon.  —  Sources say the Giants are considering a play for Sabathia, although their only hope of landing the big lefthander would be for him to take an extreme hometown discount.

Tazawa: ‘I wanted to challenge myself’  —  The Red Sox today formally announced the signing of 22-year-old Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who is expected to start his career in the minor leagues.  —  “The reason I came directly to the [United States] is I wanted to try to play here,” …

Tigers, Reds showing interest in Laird  —  Texas on lookout for pitching in return for veteran backstop  —  ARLINGTON — The Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers appear to have shown the most interest in Rangers catcher Gerald Laird, according to Major League sources.

Rate of increase in MLB salary declined in 2008  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  NEW YORK — Baseball salaries started to slow this year even before the economy cooled.  —  The average salary in Major League Baseball this season was $2.93 million, the players' association said Thursday in its annual report.

Tough call coming for Manny  —  The last time that the agent for Manny Ramirez spoke with Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, Barack Obama was on television in the background, making his acceptance speech on the night he was elected president.  Since then, the Dodgers withdrew that two-year, $45 million offer to Ramirez.