Astros receive permission to interview Rays GM Friedman  —  The Astros have received permission to interview Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, according to officials with knowledge of the organization's thinking.  —  Although the club has asked to interview “a handful” …

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.

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.”

MLB Releases Info on 2011 Postseason Shares  —  A full Postseason share for the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals totaled $323,169.98, while a full share for the American League Champion Texas Rangers amounted to $251,515.76, Major League Baseball announced today.

Source: Pirates aren't trading McCutchen  —  The Pirates have not entertained any trade offers for All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, a high-ranking team source said tonight, and have no intention of doing so.  —  An ESPN report earlier today said the team would listen to offers for McCutchen this offseason.

Orioles' top affiliate will have a new manager in 2012  —  The Orioles' top affiliate will have a new manager in 2012.  Ron Johnson, a long-time minor-league skipper who spent the past two seasons as first base coach for the Boston Red Sox, is expected to take over as the manager of the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate.

Unhappy with Ronny Paulino, NY Mets looking for new backup catcher  —  Mets looking to replace backup backstop on bench and behind plate  —  Mets manager Terry Collins and catcher Ronny Paulino are on same side in this discussion, but do not always see eye-to-eye , and that could be one reason …

Talkin' Cooperstown on Clubhouse Confidential  —  It gives me great pleasure to announce that I'll be debuting on MLB Network's Clubhouse Confidential on Tuesday at 5:30 PM Eastern.  For the uninitiated, Clubhouse Confidential is a cutting-edge attempt to put advanced statistics in the television spotlight …

Garza to the Red Sox makes sense  —  ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Twitter today that the Cubs are open to trading Matt Garza.  —  Here's a crazy idea that just might work: send a few prospects to the Cubs for Garza as compensation for Theo Epstein.  —  Garza alone is way too much compensation …

Contact Us  —  Registration … The Pirates have shown preliminary interest in right-hander Aaron Cook, according to a source.  —  They are one of about a half-dozen teams to check in on the free agent.  —  The teams' interest in Cook is in the beginning stages of the process.

Tal Smith disappointed with manner of firing, wants to stay in baseball  —  While not much a believer in titles, deposed Astros president of baseball operations Tal Smith saw a pretty good sign that change was barreling toward his desk when Jim Crane named George Postolos the president and CEO of his would-be ownership group.