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."