General feeling is Sox  —  They're perceived leaders on Teixeira  —  One of the general managers involved in the Mark Teixeira negotiations was asked last night, “Are you still in it?”  He answered, “I honestly don't know.”  —  Evidently, Teixeira's final landing spot has become a mystery to some of the people involved.

Livid Schuerholz: Furcal dealings ‘despicable’  —  Braves' president says team will never do business with player agency again  —  If Rafael Furcal's decision to renege on a verbal agreement with the Braves was the biggest jolt of the team's dreadful winter, this must be the aftershock.

Melvin: Cameron-Yanks deal is ‘dead’  —  Brewers GM uncertain if he'd be interested if talks were to resume  —  MILWAUKEE — As Brewers general manager Doug Melvin sees it, his trade talks with the Yankees are “dead.”  —  “It's probably not going to happen,” Melvin said.

2010 MLB Free Agents  —  By Tim Dierkes [December 18 at 12:53pm CST]  —  2010 MLB free agents - MLBTR's up-to-date list is below.  These are players who are eligible for free agency after the 2009 season.  The player's 2010 age is in parentheses and Scott Boras clients are bolded.

Brewers sign Nixon, Duffy  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Looking for ways to get some left-handed bats on their roster, the Brewers have decided to take a look at former Boston standout Trot Nixon.  —  The Brewers just announced that they have signed the 34-year-old outfielder …

Boone signs one-year deal with Astros  —  Veteran infielder likely to platoon with Blum at third base  —  HOUSTON — The Astros on Thursday signed third baseman Aaron Boone to a one-year contract, pending a physical.  —  Boone fills the Astros' need for a utility infielder who has extensive experience at third.

K-ROD, PUTZ WILL BOTH GET CHANCES  —  Jerry Manuel is putting the egos of his two new All-Star relievers to the test next season.  —  The Mets manager revealed yesterday that Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz will share the closing duties next season, a plan that could cause fireworks because of the personalities involved.

Rox remain in mix for Redding  —  Even after the trade hit a dead end, the Rockies' aggressive pursuit of right-hander Tim Redding has not stopped.  —  Agent Tom O'Connell confirmed today that the Rockies have significant interest in Redding, saying “they are definitely in the mix to get him.”

Rocket's lawsuit takes a hit  —  Authorities told trainer Brian McNamee that he could become the target of a criminal probe if he refused to cooperate with former Sen. George Mitchell's steroid investigation, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Houston Thursday by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Parrella.

Nick Willhite dies at 67; former pitcher for the Dodgers and Angels  —  Pitcher for Dodgers  —  Nick Willhite, 67, a left-handed pitcher whose five-year baseball career was highlighted by the shutout he threw in his debut with the Dodgers in 1963, died of cancer Sunday at a son's home in Alpine, Utah.

Doumit deal nearly done, McLouth's nearly ‘dead’  —  Pirates' multiyear contract offers take widely divergent paths  —  The Pirates are on the verge of signing catcher Ryan Doumit to a multiyear extension, and it could happen within the week, according to a source directly involved in the negotiations.

Crasnick: Job market for Abreu  —  Bobby Abreu's overall stats suggest he's a “star,” but he's often viewed as a complementary-type player.  And thus, landing a job at his desired salary this offseason could prove to be difficult.  Jerry Crasnick  —  • Watch: Buster Olney talks about the latest Hot Stove developments

Mets Are ‘Not for Sale, Not a Piece of It’  —  After the Mets introduced Francisco Rodríguez as their $37 million closer Wednesday, team executives posed for pictures with him.  Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer, smiled for the cameras.  He has not done much of that lately.