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A tour of the MLB newspapers for your Friday…

• Ah, the calm before the Winter Meetings, which begin Monday and run until Thursday. I am looking forward to some trades this year. The past few years have been a bust on big name deals, but with the lack of quality free agents available, the one way to improve your team is to trade.  We’ll read a lot of rumors this weekend, but a lot of what I have been reading seems like pure speculation. What ever happened to reporting the news, not making it?

• Speaking of rumors, the New York Times is reporting that the Yankees are holding firm to an offer of Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, and a prospect or two for Santana. If this is true, I like the offer from the Yankees’ side, but I don’t think it will be enough for the Twins. It should be, but with the Red Sox in the mix (which I still believe is to drive up the Yankees’ paranoia!), the Twins will probably hold out for more. More would be either Phil Hughes or Robinson Cano instead of Kennedy or Cabrera.

• More Yankees news…Buster Olney is reporting that the Yankees are close to signing Mark Loretta to a one year deal. Loretta would be a good fit for the Yankees as he could spell Cano against a tough lefty, play a lot of positions and be a nice right handed bat off the bench. If they do sign him and keep Wilson Betemit, the Yankees will have one of their most versatile benches in years.

• The Rays reportedly agreed to a two year deal with Troy Percival. In yesterday’s Fungos I said the Rays are making a mistake. I still think they are, but if they can limit Percival’s innings to 40-50 this season, they make get some value. You would figure that he will close, but Al Reyes will probably get many save chances too. Even though I don’t like the signing, I do like that the Rays are close to becoming a factor. With an exciting offense, it’s nice to see the pitching getting some love over the past couple of days.

• Geoff Jenkins is getting a lot of ink in newspapers. Now the Rays and Phillies have him targeted, joining the Padres in pursuit. Jenkins is far from a productive regular, but could fill a power need for a team. He seems to be a poor fit in San Diego as the stadium would likely drain his power.

• In Pittsburgh, GM Neal Huntington has stated his desire to trade starter Matt Morris. If the Pirates are willing to dump him or eat some salary it can be done. The Cardinals would probably take him back for one year to see if he can rekindle some magic.

• News out of Philly has the Phillies interested in Melvin Mora. Mora, who is on the decline, would still be an upgrade for the Phils at third. As I’ve said before, the Orioles really need to start over (especially with the Rays improving), so this could have some legs.

• The Mets seem to be getting rejected everywhere as no team really values Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman, or Mike Pelfry. The Oakland papers report that Billy Beane is not interested in any of the deals for Dan Haren or even Joe Blanton. If the Mets want to make their splash, they may have to part with Jose Reyes. I still don’t think they’ll do it, but Omar Minaya may feel like he needs that ace in Johan Santana.

• Is it important to acknowledge that Yorvit Torrealba resigned with the Rockies? Nah, I guess it wasn’t.

That’s it for today. Enjoy the weekend. We’ll see you Monday. Fire back.