Marquis For Vizcaino Trade Close  —  By Tim Dierkes [December 30 at 7:30pm CST]  —  7:28PM: Ken Rosenthal confirms what most people are saying—that this deal is close, but not yet official.  —  7:11PM: Writers from Chicago are commenting on rumors of a trade that would send the Cubs' Jason Marquis …

Mets Offer Lowe a 3-Year Deal  —  The Mets have offered the free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe a three-year contract for about $36 million, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions.  —  As the Mets try to add another starter, they have concentrated on Lowe, 35, as their No. 1 option over Oliver Pérez.

Jays invite 3 more to Spring camp  —  The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Michael Barrett, Raul Chavez, Randy Ruiz and pitcher Mike Maroth to minor league contracts and extended invitations for all to attend spring training with the Major League club.  —  Barrett, 32, has signed …

Source: Snyder agrees to deal … The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached preliminary agreement on a three-year, $14.25 million guaranteed contract extension with catcher Chris Snyder, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  The deal, the completion of which is pending the physical exam …

Salary cap?  Tell me you didn't say that, Drayton  —  Drayton McLane looks pretty darn silly to suggest baseball would be better off with a salary cap.  —  First, baseball has done pretty well without one.  Drayton presumably knows this.  —  (I've written brilliant columns on this topic.

New-look Mets  —  Yosef Sebrow sends in this look at what appears to be modest tweaks to the black uniforms the Mets wear, which he shot at a Sports Authority in Forest Hills.  It's labeled “METH,” presumably for Mets' home.  He writes: “The old one was black, orange dropshadow, then white, then blue.

Hot Stove Daily: Texas Rangers  —  Buzz up! … 2008 record: 79-83  —  Finish: Second in American League West  —  2008 opening-day payroll: $67.7 million  —  2009 estimated opening-day payroll: Between $62 million and $72 million  —  OFFSEASON ACTION

More on Bard  —  In case you're wondering, a source has confirmed an agreement between the Red Sox and catcher Josh Bard, whom the club eyes as a backup, perhaps to Jason Varitek.  The Bard acquisition in no way eliminates the chance of Varitek returning to the club in 2009.

Orioles: Sexson an option at 1B?  —  The Orioles still are trying to figure out what they'll do at first base this coming season, and they've given some consideration to attempting a salvage operation with former 45-homer guy Richie Sexson.  Club officials apparently have had at least …

Penny, Red Sox strike deal  —  Right-hander made 17 starts in injury-plagued '08 with Dodgers  —  BOSTON — When it comes to free-agent starting pitchers, it almost always has been Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's choice to pass up lucrative, long-term deals in favor of low-risk, high-reward solutions.

Minor League Transactions  —  This week's installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Dec. 16 and Dec. 23.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Released: RHP Eligio Lagua, RHP Eliezer Murillo, RHP Matt Timms, LHP Tim Ladd, LHP T.J. Wohlever, OF Mike Elkerson, OF Chad Maddox