Melvin playing waiting game  —  The assumption by many in Brewer Nation is that general manager Doug Melvin will follow the signing of closer Trevor Hoffman by landing one of the higher profile starting pitchers remaining on the free-agent market.  —  Don't count on it.

MATTINGLY: TEIXEIRA 'FIRST'-RATE ADDITION  —  MARK Teixeira made it clear this week how much of a Don Mattingly fan he was growing up, with everything from having a Mattingly poster in his bedroom to wearing a Yankees cap to Camden Yards when the Yankees would come to play the Orioles.

Busy BoSox bolster bullpen with veteran Saito  —  BOSTON — Takashi Saito agreed to a one-year deal with Boston on Saturday, giving the Red Sox another veteran arm in their bullpen.  —  Saito  —  Saito, who had 18 saves and a 2.49 ERA last season despite being limited by an elbow injury …

Henderson was one to steal the show  —  Mike Port was forewarned by Rickey Henderson's agent at the time, Jeff Borris.  Port was told he might encounter a few things with Rickey he'd never dealt with before.  —  Port was general manager of the Red Sox in 2002 when, on the suggestion …

Source: Martinez talking to Marlins  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Domican Republic — Pedro Martinez and the Florida Marlins are believed to be in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract and could meet next week, a source told ESPNdeportes.com Saturday night.  —  The Marlins have spoken with Martínez's agent.

Bradley has his backers  —  Despite all his antics, new Cubs OF MILTON BRADLEY still has plenty of supporters around the league  —  Milton Bradley has been described as temperamental, immature, moody and angry.  But when he arrived in town last week, Bradley declared that he just wants to be loved.

Willie, Bloomquist and the Dunn  —  I think it's probably fair to say that Adam Dunn, for all his obvious talents, can be a remarkably frustrating player to watch.  He is a dreadful left fielder, a designated hitter in outfielder's clothes.  He's slow*.  He strikes out a ton.

Nationals interested in Nady, Swisher  —  Washington continues offseason search to add pop to lineup  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals have interest in acquiring Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady and first baseman Nick Swisher.  The two clubs are currently in trade discussions, according to a baseball source.

Dodgers are a team run (into ground?) like nobody's business  —  You can imagine Page 2's reaction to the news that the Los Angeles Business Journal recently selected the McCourts the city's “Power Couple of the Year.”  —  Time for Jerry Buss to lock onto one of those 18-year-olds for keeps …

If Moorad in, CEO likely to leave  —  Major league executives expect CEO Sandy Alderson to leave the Padres at some point this year if Jeff Moorad takes over the front office.  —  Moorad has said he well regards Alderson, but major league executives doubt Alderson will stay beyond 2009 …

Tampa Bay Rays getting left behind in AL East spending spree  —  Pitchers A.J. Burnett, left, and CC Sabathia are introduced Dec. 18, part of a busy and expensive Yankees offseason.  —  The price of last season's success for the Rays is fast approaching $500-million.