Mets Up Offer to Oliver Perez...Manuel Endorses Manny

The New York Mets have apparently upgraded their offer to pitcher Oliver Perez, as they attempt to solidify their starting rotation. The offer is believed to be more than the 3-year, $30 million they apparently first put on the table, and sources say they are willing to go to four years. The Mets recently signed free-agent Freddy Garcia to an incentive-laden minor league deal.

In other Mets news, manager Jerry Manuel says he would welcome Manny Ramirez to the Mets lineup. Peter Botte from the NY Daily News has more...

Phillies Search For Right-Handed Bat

The Phillies are looking to bolster their bench, specifically right-handed hitting. They are seriously considering Moises Alou, who spent the past couple of seasons bothered by injuries while playing for the Mets. Other options include Nomar Garciaparra, Ty Wigginton and Kevin Millar. Alden Gonzalez from mlb.com has more...

Marlins Look to Bolster Catching...

The Florida Marlins may be looking to find a compliment to left-handed hitting catcher John Baker, but there may be limited options. Juan C. Rodriguez from the Sun-Sentinel discusses their options, saying they're probably not interested in bringing back Ivan Rodriguez due to financial concerns.

Glavine Receives Clean Bill of Health...

Tom Glavine has received a clean bill of health from Dr. James Andrews, but now the question is where will he pitch this season? Glavine has yet to come to terms with the Braves, who one would think are still the favorites for his services. However, the Nationals have shown some interest. The news of his health should speed things up now.

Mets Expected to Sign Alex Cora

The NY Mets are said to have reached an agreement with infielder Alex Cora, who had been with the Boston Red Sox. Cora will back up Jose Reyes at shortstop and also serve as insurance at second base.

Nats Sign Josh Towers

The Nationals inked pitcher Josh Towers to a minor-league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. More from mlb.com's Bill Ladson...

Braves Seeking Power-Hitting Outfielder

The Atlanta Braves, fresh off signing Derek Lowe, will turn their attention to their hitting. They have known interest in Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher, who the Yankees appear willing to deal. More from Mark Bowman from mlb.com...

Braves Sign Derek Lowe...Mets Look to Perez

Derek Lowe has agreed to terms on a 4-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves were willing to guarantee a fourth year, which along with a $15 million annual salary, was enough to sway Lowe their way. Mark Bowman from mlb.com has more.

The New York Mets have moved their focus to Oliver Perez. After becoming discouraged during the Lowe negotiations, the Mets reportedly made a 3-year, $30 million offer to Perez. Some insiders feel Perez has been GM Omar Minaya's choice all along. More from Doug Miller at mlb.com.

Marlins Sign Jay Gibbons

The Florida Marlins have signed outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Gibbons played part of last season in the Milwaukee farm system. After seven years with the Orioles, he was hit with injuries and a Sports Illustrated report linked him to human growth hormone, which he admitted to and was suspended for 15 games for. More on the signing from Alden Gonzalez at mlb.com....

Nats May Look To Deal...

The Nationals, apprently out of the bidding for the remaining premium free agents, may look to trade for some offensive help. Bill Ladson from mlb.com says they are in discussions with the Yankees about Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher.

Braves Reach Deal With Kawakami

According to Mark Bowman at mlb.com, the Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement with Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami, pending a physical. The deal is apparently for three years. The Braves are trying to fill out there rotation, having lost John Smoltz to Boston and Tim Hudson to injury. They obtained Javier Vazquez earlier in the offseason and are in on the Derek Lowe pursuit.

Braves Close To A Deal With Kawakami?

The Atlanta Braves, desperate to shore up their pitching after losing John Smoltz to Boston, appear to be on the verge of signing Kenshin Kawakami. More from Talking Chop...

Phils Interested In Garciaparra?

The Phillies, looking to shore up their reserve infield, are reportedly interested in Nomar Garciaparra. They are also considering outfielder Gabe Kapler. More from Bill Ladson at mlb.com and philliesnation.com.

Tim Redding Agrees To Deal With Mets...Pedro Could Return

The NY Daily News informs us of the Tim Redding signing with the Mets.

UPDATE: Jon Heyman of SI and Ken Davidoff of the Daily News agree the deal with Redding is close to final.

The Mets apparently are the front runners for pitcher Tim Redding and a deal could be finalized as early as this afternoon, according to Andrew Marchand of 1050 ESPN Radio in New York.

Also in Mets world, Pedro Martinez wants to return, saying he feels he has unfinished business after injuries plagued him during his 4-year deal with the team. Anthony DiComo of mlb.com tells us Pedro's agent Fernando Cuza will be meeting with the Mets next week.

Nats May Not Spend Any More...

According to Bill Ladson at mlb.com, the Nationals are no longer in the running for Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson or Derek Lowe and are unlikely to sign any of the top free agents.

Phillies Sign Marcus Giles...

The Phillies added some depth to their infield by signing free agent Marcus Giles. This should be helpful in the event Chase Utley needs extra time to recover from offseason hip surgery.

In other Phillies news...

The Chan Ho Park signing is official...

The latest on the J.C. Romero suspension...

Nationals Interested In Wolf...

The Nationals have shown interest in free agent pitcher Randy Wolf, according to Bill Ladson at mlb.com. The Nationals most recently lost out on outfielder Milton Bradley, who signed with the Cubs. The Mets are also reportedly interested in Wolf. Ladson also reports on the retirement of John Patterson, who is only 30 but could never stay healthy.

Mets Meeting With Scott Boras...

The Mets met with Scott Boras at Citi Field Wednesday, continuing their pursuit of Derek Lowe and apparently included a brief discussion of all Boras clients, including Oliver Perez and Manny Ramirez. If the Mets fail to sign Lowe, they would move on to Perez. They are considered a long shot to land Ramirez. John Harper of the NY Daily News has more...

In other Mets news...

The club has extended an offer to pitcher Tim Redding...

Pedro Feliciano will pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic...

And GM Omar Minaya has been named to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for the next 16 months...

Marlins news...

A few notes from the world of the Florida Marlins...

Relief pitcher Logan Kensing signed a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration...

Reliever Scott Proctor's deal is complete...it's a one-year, $750,000 deal with another $250,000 possible in incentives...

Smoltz Chooses Red Sox, Braves Turn To Lowe...

It appears John Smoltz is set to sign a deal with the Red Sox and leave Atlanta. Mark Bowman at mlb.com explains the Red Sox have lured Smoltz with a $5.5 million contract that could lead to $10 million with incentives for 2009.

Meanwhile, the Braves are turning their attention to Derek Lowe. The club, including manager Bobby Cox, met with Lowe this afternoon at Turner Field. In another mlb.com article, Bowman explains how Atlanta's interest has increased.

In other Braves news, they are keeping tabs on pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, and Tom Glavine has been throwing without discomfort.

Bradley Agrees to Join Cubs...

The Nats won't be getting Milton Bradley, as he agreed on a 3-year, $30 million deal with the Chicago Cubs this afternoon. The deal is pending a physical. Bradley hit .321 last year and was quite impressive when he was on the field. However, he still dealt with the occasional injuries that have plagued him in the past. More from ESPN...

Burrell Leaves the NL East

Pat Burrell has agreed to a 2-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, worth $16 million. Burrell will DH for the Rays. Jayson Stark has more at espn.com.

Braves Interest In Lowe Minimal...

The Atlanta Braves have reportedly had interest in free agent pitcher Derek Lowe, but it is unlikely they would exceed the 3-year, $36 million dollar offer he received from the Mets. Mark Bowman from mlb.com explains that the Braves have no interest in providing Lowe with the $16 million per year he is seeking. Bowman also acknowledges the recent rumors of an Andruw Jones reunion in Atlanta, saying their interest is "moderate."

Lowe Will Keep Shopping

The Mets recently made free agent pitcher Derek Lowe an initial offer of 3 years worth about $36 million. Lowe was unimpressed, as he is known to be seeking a 5-year deal worth $90 million. However, there appears to be limited interest from other clubs, so the Mets don't want to overbid themselves. More from Yahoo Sports... Talking Chop explains the Braves could get involved...

Proctor signs with Marlins

The Florida Marlins have come to terms with reliever Scott Proctor on a one-year deal worth $750,000. The Marlins just lost out on Derrick Turnbow, who signed with the Texas Rangers. This is a homecoming for Proctor, who is a Jensen Beach resident and went to Florida State. The Sun-Sentinel has more...

Nats Looking to Add a Hitter

The Nationals are not done with their offseason shopping. So far, they've added pitcher Daniel Cabrera and landed outfielder Josh Willingham and pitcher Scott Olsen in a deal with the Marlins. They made a run at Mark Teixeira, but after losing out the Yankees, they're looking to add another power bat. The possibilities mentioned most often are Adam Dunn and Milton Bradley...and they could go after Orlando Hudson as well. Bill Ladson from mlb.com has the latest...

Braves Looking For Ace...

As 2009 begins, the Atlanta Braves continue to search for starting pitching. Mark Bowman from mlb.com discusses their situation as they enter the new year without a viable ace.