A's Talking Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey  —  3:02pm: Rival executives say the Nationals have the best chance at obtaining Gonzalez and some believe Danny Espinosa or Ian Desmond could be in play, according to Heyman.  —  2:44pm: The Red Sox are trying to get Gonzalez and Bailey in a “monster deal,” tweets Rosenthal.

Would Rays and Beltran be a good match?  —  UPDATE, 3:04: The Rays reportedly are out of the running for Beltran, as both Scott Miller of CBS Sports and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports just reported that the field has been narrowed to the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Indians.

Trade market for Rockies' Smith taking shape  —  Rockies outfielder Seth Smith, expendable after the team signed Michael Cuddyer, is drawing trade interest from the Mariners, Athletics, Braves, Mets, and Rays, major-league sources said.  —  Smith could earn close to $3 million in salary arbitration …

Josh Thole says he has to prove himself every day  —  In a report for the New York Post, Josh Thole says: … In 114 games last season and 386 plate appearances, Thole hit .268 with a .345 OBP, 20 doubles and 40 RBI while striking out 12.2 percent of the time.

Source: Twins to sign RHP Marquis  —  The Twins, seeking to boost their starting rotation, are close to signing free-agent right-hander Jason Marquis, according to a major-league source.  —  Marquis, 33, went 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA for the Nationals last season before getting traded …

Yanks, Red Sox hit with luxury tax  —  The New York Yankees have been hit with a $13.9 million luxury tax bill, their lowest since 2003.  —  The fee, assessed Thursday by Major League Baseball under its labor contract, is down from $18 million last year and $25.7 million in 2009, when the Yankees won the World Series.

Larkin, Morris May Get Their Calls  —  DENVER—Throughout his career, Jack Morris always was up for a battle, so why should things be any different now?  —  The most dominant pitcher of his era, Morris is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the 13th time.  It could well be his lucky number.

Years of silent fear: 6th person accuses Conlin  —  LINDA STELLA said that she was just a girl when Bill Conlin pulled her onto his lap and began “flexing his leg muscles” during a family birthday party at his house in South Jersey.  She leaped off his lap and looked back.

Danks, White Sox reportedly agree to $65 million deal  —  Despite persistent trade rumors, it appears that John Danks will be staying with the White Sox after agreeing to a five-year, $65 million contract, according to multiple reports.  —  Danks, who made $6 million last season …