Winter Meetings: Newest Developments

UPDATED 12/6 @ 8:21 AM EASTERN / 5:21 AM PACIFIC

• Hiroki Kuroda: Reports indicate that Kuroda will visit Seattle, Arizona, and LA (Dodgers) before making a decision. These are three of the four supposed finalists with the other thought to be the Mets. Originally, it was thought that all teams involved had offered around 3 years/30 million for Kuroda; but Geoff Baker now believes that the Mariners have indeed added a fourth year to the offer. If this is the case, expect the Dodgers to do the same.
• Raul Ibanez: The Cubs and the Indians have shown interest in Ibanez. mlbtraderumors.com mentions the possibility of the Mariners acquiring starting pitcher Cliff Lee from the Indians inreturn for Raul. If Japanese import Fukudome signs with the Cubs, don't expect Ibanez to be heading to Chicago. If they don't sign him, however, Keep your eyes on starting pitcher Sean Marshall.
• Darin Erstad: Rotoworld reports that the Mariners are one of atleast four teams who have inquired about 1B/OF/DH Darin Erstad of the White Sox. At this point in time, the Mariners have absolutely no use for Erstad so I'm not sure why he's being brought up besides the fact that Bavasi was GM in Anaheim the same time that Erstad played there.
• Richie Sexson: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Mariners are intent on trading Richie Sexson and names the Orioles, Giants, Devil Rays, and Yankees as possible candidates for his services. A report a couple days ago mentioned a deal with San Francisco that would send Sexson to the Giants in return for Ray Durham. Seattle would most likely have to pay atleast part of Sexson's 08 salary if he is traded anywhere. Since Broussard was apparently offered to the Rays for Edwin Jackson (deal was rejected by TB), Sexson is probably safe for the time being.
• Edwin Jackson: The Mariners are reportedly interested in starting pitcher Edwin Jackson of the Devil Rays. This isn't really surprisng considering his name was tossed around at the 07 trading deadline. Originally, a Broussard for Jackson swap seemed possible until the Seattle Times reported that the Rays had rejected this deal. The word seems to be that Tampa Bay may want catcher prospect Rob Johnson as well as Broussard.
• Matt Clement: The Mariners are one of at least three teams who have shown interest in starting pitcher Matt Clement.
• Erik Bedard: The Mariners are now one of three teams pushing aggressively for Orioles ace Erik Bedard along with the Mets and Dodgers. A deal would probably be centered around some type of combination of Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow, Wlad Balentien, and George Sherrill and would likely not involve Jeff Clement as the O's don't need a catcher. There are at least eleven other teams pursuing Bedard though an O's source said Seattle may be the best fit.
• Marcus Giles: The free agent second baseman has drawn interest from the Mariners, the Rockies, and atleast one other NL team. He would command around 4 million dollars a year and should the Mariners sign him, he would be used to challenge Jose Lopez for the starting position at second base or allow the M's to deal Lopez to another team (though not likely).
• Ben Sheets: It seems as if this rumor is just about dead and the Mariners are no longer looking into Ben Sheets though they have met with the Brewers; possibly about other pitchers like Chris Capuano.
• ???: A report on mlbtraderumors.com mentions that the GM of the Cardinals, John Mozeliak, met with the Mariners today as well as the Brewers (regarding Rolen [STL]), the Orioles (regarding Tejada [BAL]), and the Brewers (regarding Anthony Reyes [STL] and Edmonds [STL]). I doubt the conversations with Seattle involved Rolen or Edmonds, but possibly young starter Anthony Reyes.
• Mark Loretta: The Mariners have talked to Mark Loretta's agent about signing the veteran second baseman and using him as a utility infielder. mlbtraderumors.com figures the M's would be willing to pay him around 2 million dollars. The Rockies seem to be the more likely choice for Loretta should he reject arbitration from the Astros.
• Tim Linceum: It's been reported that the Mariners have been linked to San Francisco's young starting pitcher Tim Linceum. While Giants GM Brian Sabean is not shopping Linceum, the M's could put together a package including Richie Sexson. Don't put too much stock in this one...
• Ben Broussard: Two teams seem interested; the Giants and the Rangers. They may wait to see if the Mariners tender him a contract or not.
• Jose Lopez: Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports has reported that the Mariners are using Jose Lopez as trade bait. The Nationals, Giants, Rockies and Twins are teams in need of a second baseman.
• David Wells: The Mariners and the Reds are considering the veteran starter. Call it being desperate or call it covering all bases... It's just not a good idea.
• George Sherrill: Bill Bavasi has mentioned that several teams have shown interest in the left-handed specialist.
• Geoff Jenkins: The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners have been in contact with the agent of leftfielder Geoff Jenkins. He seems to only be a possibility if Ibanez or Sexson is traded.
• Johan Santana: It is assumed that the Mariners will finally be able to begin negotiations with the Twins over the hottest commodity this offseason; Johan Santana. Previously, it seemed as if the Twins were only interested in talking with the Red Sox and the Yankees. Now that the Yankees and Red Sox are moving out of the picture, it would make sense for other interested teams to jump in. The Mariners would most likely put together a package of Brandon Morrow, Adam Jones, and Jeff Clement, though maybe not in their initial offer.