There was interest last offseason by Toronto, and some rumored interest this offseason with the White Sox and Marlins. But they were just rumors apparently, and now his name is not even in the discussion for the Cubs or Red Sox. Is he a bad interview, or is there more to this that we don't know? I would think a bench coach for a team that has been in the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years would have gotten more interviews. Maddon was even saying how he is ready and was preparing to find a replacement for him thinking he was ready to move on. Has anybody heard anything?

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=blog07&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3ae57bcc87-152a-4f72-96fb-cc08b1f396efPost%3ae63cd597-ef98-48c5-afb3-379243579560&sid=sitelife.cincinnati.com

Gomes was "surprised" by the decision, and some of the comments of the fans seem to echo his thoughts. You would think he should be able to find a major league job somewhere, but maybe not at this late date. He would certainly provide depth at AAA for any team that signs him. The Rays have moved on but we could do worse at AAA, and he is acknowledged as a great clubhouse guy and cheerleader. I wish him the best wherever he lands.

there has been speculation that Xavier Nady would become available. Do you think the Rays might re-investigate a deal with the Yankees, similar to what they tried to do with Pittsburgh, to acquire Nady? Then maybe they put Nady in RF and Joyce as the DH? Nady played pretty well under the bright lights and pressure of the Big Apple. Though he's getting up there in age, he would be a productive veteran presence in the clubhouse. Thoughts?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtYNG3ITc4JAFyvKhDMPRmGFCLcF?slug=ap-rangers-redsox-trade&prov=ap&type=lgns

The Rangers traded Wes Littleton to the Red Sox today. Littleton had been DFA'ed by Texas on November 20th. Not sure I can see where he would fit on the Sox major league staff, but he would add some depth at Pawtucket. He didn't have a win or a loss during the current season, but he's still young enough to have some value down the road.

Some more speculation that there might be a slight possibility that the Rays would consider trading Kazmir in the offseason to the Rangers for a boatload of prospects. Most of you follow the minor leagues much more than I do and would be better equipped to respond to the proposed prospects this writer lists. With our stable of young minor league pitchers looking to advance to the Show and with Kaz being consistently inconsistent recently, would there be a chance that Andrew and the gang would explore the idea of doing something like this?

http://www.newbergreport.com/article1.asp

This from today's Boston Herald:

The Red Sox and Major League Baseball have dispatched security teams to St. Petersburg, Fla., for the next three days due to a recent threat made against the club’s players.

According to sources, the Sox recently received a mailed threat, believed to be postmarked in Memphis, Tenn., which targeted black and Latin players, citing at least two by name. The named players have been informed about the threats and will likely have security accompaniment away from Tropicana Field, including at the team’s hotel in St. Petersburg.

The Sox are sending at least two of their top security officials, while another security team is due from MLB’s office in New York. The FBI and police departments in St. Petersburg, Boston, Memphis and Baltimore have been apprised of the threats, which are a federal crime.

According to a source, law-enforcement authorities have been looking for a suspect believed to be from Baltimore but living in the Memphis area. By all indications, he is not in custody yet.

http://deadspin.com/339190/shoty-final-four-elijah-dukes-vs-isiah-thomas

He's in the Elite Eight of www.deadspin.com 's SportsHuman of the Year, and currently losing 65-35% to Isaiah Thomas! C'mon people, did Isaiah text a picture of a gun to Anucha Browne of the Knicks and say "You dead dawg"?. I think not. Elijah needs our support...[dripping sarcasm intended]

It appears that it will be either Boston or the Yankees, of course it would HAVE to be to our division. Which place would you rather he end up? Boston, where their rotation would include Santana, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Schilling, Wakefield or the Yankees? I would rather he land in NY, because the offers sound like they would have to give up MLB ready starting pitching like Hughes. It takes a special pitcher to pitch in NY, and Santana's postseason record is mediocre. The names I've heard from Boston are Crisp, Ellsbury, Lester. Thoughts?