Mariners eyeing free-agent dance partners  —  Hot Stove expected to fire up at Winter Meetings  —  SEATTLE — When Jack Zduriencik and the Mariners brass head to Dallas next week for the Winter Meetings, they'll be looking for ways to improve an offense that ranked last in the Major Leagues in most categories last season.

Nats show interest in Fielder, others  —  All that talk about the Nationals not wanting free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder?  —  Don't believe it.  —  The Nationals are showing serious interest in Fielder and view Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes as a potential Plan B, according to major-league sources.

Crane can hit homer with new hires  —  If the Astros hire Rays GM Andrew Friedman, then more power to them.  But new owner Jim Crane shouldn't count on it, given Friedman's loyalty to Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and club president Matt Silverman.  —  No, Crane should count on conducting …

Source: Astros receive permission to speak with Thad Levine  —  The Houston Astros now have two candidates for their general manager's job.  —  A day after receiving permission to speak with Tampa Bay's Andrew Friedman, a Houston native, about the GM's job, Astros officials contacted …

Off-putting  —  Red Sox search drags, but it could end soon  —  Gene Lamont empathizes with you, Red Sox fans.  He would like to see the team finally name its new manager, too.  —  “I'm a little antsy, to be honest with you,” Lamont said yesterday.  “This has kind of dragged on.”

Source: Broxton agrees to contract with Royals  —  Former Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  The deal is contingent on Broxton passing a physical exam Wednesday, the source said.