Mariners make a trade for reliever David Aardsma  —  Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik continues to be busy making moves.  After signing Erik Bedard and Aaron Heilman to one-year deals to avoid arbitration, Zdruiencik also announced that the Mariners have acquired right-handed reliever David Aardsma …

I'll have what Melky is drinking  —  Brian Bruney asked for $1.55 million in arbitration.  The Yankees offered $1.1 million.  Seems like there is a deal to be made there before a hearing.  —  Melky Cabrera, meanwhile, asked for $1.7 million.  The Yankees offered $1.2 million.

Howard Wants $18 Million; Victorino, Blanton Sign  —  Compared to last year's offer, the Phillies doubled up what they want to pay Ryan Howard for the 2009 season.  Trouble is, Howard's price went up, too.  —  Teams and players exchanged arbitration numbers on Tuesday and the 2006 NL MVP …

Fielder staying in Milwaukee in '09, Brewers GM says  —  Forget what you've read in the blogosphere: Prince Fielder will be wearing a Milwaukee Brewers uniform for all of the 2009 season.  —  So says general manager Doug Melvin, who flatly dismissed the trade rumors that have been flying …

Mets sign Church, four others  —  The Mets today announced they have avoided arbitration and signed outfielders Ryan Church and Angel Pagan to one-year contracts, also signing left-handed pitchers Tom Martin and Casey Fossum and catcher Omir Santos to minor-league free-agent contracts.

Free agent Pudge still hoping to catch on  —  Way back when, there was Homestead.  —  It was the spring of 1995, and the baseball strike had just ended.  And with tons of free agents in need of a job, the players association set up a camp in Homestead, Fla., where they could work out and get noticed.

D-Backs fire D. Baxter after DUI arrest  —  The Diamondbacks have cut ties with the man who played their team mascot, D. Baxter the Bobcat, after he was arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI.  —  David Hamilton, 35, was fired by the Diamondbacks three weeks ago.

ESPN shuffles talent to battle partner MLB  —  One of the longest-running acts in TV sports is getting a new cast member.  ESPN will formally announce Wednesday that Steve Phillips will join Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, who've called ESPN's Sunday night baseball for 19 years.

$1.3 million divide between Atkins, Rockies  —  Third baseman seeks $7.95 million  —  Third baseman Garrett Atkins and the Rockies found themselves $1.3 million apart on a 2009 salary after the sides exchanged arbitration figures Tuesday.  —  Forty-six players went through that process …

Dodgers enjoy visit to Lakers practice  —  Prospects get chance to mingle with Bryant, Abdul-Jabbar  —  EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — If the Dodgers are unable to sign Manny Ramirez to play left field next season, there's always a Plan B.  —  And this plan doesn't have to include free agents Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu.

O's MacPhail making moves, but his plans holding steady  —  If you're an Orioles fan - and I know you're out there somewhere - you're probably thinking the same thing I'm thinking right now.  —  Who kidnapped the conservative, methodical, one-step-at-a-time Orioles president of baseball operations …

A Coveted Team, a Tangled Web, a Tough Sell  —  The identity of the next owner of the Chicago Cubs could be known Wednesday, later this week or, given the pace of this deal, when Ron Santo is voted into the Hall of Fame.  —  The Tribune Company has been peddling the Cubs …

Cy Young winner Cliff Lee open to extension from Cleveland Indians  —  Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, in Cleveland for a physical and the Indians press tour, talked about his busy offseason today at Progressive Field.  —  * Lee is signed through 2009 with a club option for 2010.

Day clears waivers, heads to Durham  —  Right-hander will be invited to big league Spring Training camp  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Right-hander Dewon Day cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Durham.  —  The Rays claimed Day off waivers from the Red Sox before they signed right …

Glavine improves in second session  —  Veteran lefty believes he could be ready for start of regular season  —  ATLANTA — Tom Glavine's second mound session went better than the first, and now the veteran left-hander has even more reason to believe he'll be able to pitch again this upcoming season.

Rox stay with Buchholz, Barmes, Grilli  —  And then there was one.  —  Infielder Garrett Atkins is the only remaining arbitration-eligible player for the Rockies after they agreed to contracts with relievers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Grilli and second baseman Clint Barmes.

Padres sign Bell to close in 2009  —  Reliever will make $1.225 million; long-term deal in the offing  —  SAN DIEGO — The new year isn't a month old, yet it's already shaping up to be a very good one for Padres' relief pitcher Heath Bell.  —  And it could get even better.