The Nationals acquired OF Denard Span from the Twins for minor league RHP Alex Meyer.
The Nationals might next go after free-agent OF Michael Bourn (Jim Bowden, MLB Network) after losing out on B.J. Upton, who inked a deal with the Braves yesterday.
The Twins have not yet made C Joe Mauer available in trade (Jayson Stark, ESPN).
The Phillies attempt to trade for Astros reliever Wilton Lopez appears to have fallen through (MLBTR).
The Yankees and free-agent closer Mariano Rivera are close to agreeing to a one-year, $10 million deal (MLBTR).
The Mets current seven-year, $124 million offer to David Wright is believed to be their final offer, and it is back-loaded in a way that is similar to last year's deal between the Marlins and Jose Reyes, Andy Martino of the Daily News reported this morning.
The Mets and David Wright's agents are having a disagreement about deferred money in the proposed contract, Mike Puma reports in the New York Post, according to an industry source with knowledge of the negotiations.
The Mets announced they have acquired INF Brandon Hicks from the A's for cash considerations.
The Mets and Blue Jays spent a lot of time together at the GM Meetings earlier in this month, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
I remain very optimistic the Mets will eventually agree to a new contract with David Wright. While I do want them to extend R.A. Dickey's contract as well, I haven't been as optimistic because it makes a lot of baseball sense to try and sell high on him now and fill other holes on the roster.
The Mets prefer to sign R.A. Dickey and David Wright to new contracts this winter, Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said after serving hot meals yesterday with Matt Harvey to Far Rockaway residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The point is, this current front office is probably going to be just as calculated about Dickey and Wright, based on Wilpon's quotes. It's a business and I understand their unemotional approach. I get it, and actually appreciate it. But, I don't have to like it'
According to an industry source with knowledge of the discussions, there is just a 50-50 that David Wright signs a long-term extension with the Mets this offseason, Mike Puma reports in this morning's New York Post.
'Justin Upton has a 90 percent chance of being with the Diamondbacks when spring training starts as things stand now, one Diamondbacks person estimated,' writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
The Yankees have been negotiating with free-agent OF Scott Hairston. (New York Post)
The Mets want a 'monster package' for R.A. Dickey, which is likely a few high-end prospects, major leaguers, outfielders and catching help, Andy Martino says in today's Daily News.
LHP J.P. Howell told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times he is drawing interest from a number of teams.
I totally believe him. And, I'll be honest, I'm starting to tip back to thinking the Mets might feel the same way. I had it at 50-50 just last week that he'd either re-up or get traded. I'll now go 51-49 that he's back. Why? I've heard some things the last few days that ' in accordance with that Daily News report, and seeing how we all responded to him winning the Cy Young ' makes me think both sides want to find a deal.
The Mets posted this picture this morning on Twitter of Johan Santana sporting the team's new alternate home jersey (and All Star Game patch) for next season.
If Wright was on the open market, I'd be worried. But, because I truly believe he's going to start next season on the Mets with or without a new deal ' and because people say he really wants to retire here ' and because the Mets need him ' and because no other team can make him an offer right now ' and because he knows he ended last year in a massive slump and next year could break his value as a free agent ' I trust these two sides will eventually come together.
For instance, the Mets seem willing to bring back RA Dickey for 2013 (his current option), plus two additional years (2014 and 2015). Why? Because RA is awesome and he could still serve them well those two years, plus still have value in trade next summer or next winter with just two years and ' say ' $20 million left on his contract. However, because it would be much more difficult to trade a 40 year old that has three or four years left on his deal, which is what Dickey wants, they're instead exploring his trade market today.
The Diamondbacks see both the Rangers and Rays as the best fits for a deal for OF Justin Upton, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
Sandy Alderson said the Mets will have more payroll flexibility than originally anticipated, according to Newsday's David Lennon.