Yesterday brought word that the Blue Jays are willing to listen to offers for ace Roy Halladay. Today there's plenty of reaction and speculation.  Let's take a look.

• An intial report has the Phillies as the "leaders" for Halladay, but that is likely only based on their obvious interest in acquiring a pitcher...any pitcher.  What can the Phillies really offer the Blue Jays?  Shortstop Jason Donald is considered their best prospect and after that they have a few 50-100 range ranked prospects, but not the haul that the Jays are likely looking for.
• Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated notes that the Jays were interested in Donald last year. 
• Heyman speculates about how impressive the Giants roster would be if Halladay were added.  That would give them four former Cy Young award winners AND Matt Cain.  Certainly Barry Zito and Randy Johnson are not the same pitchers, but they're pretty good for #4 and #5 pitchers. 
• While the White Sox would not trade Gordon Beckham for Jake Peavy Heyman says they'd consider moving the prospect for Halladay.  I don't entirely understand this unless they actually like that Halladay is only signed through 2010 while Peavy is under contract through 2013.
• The Cardinals seem unlikely to have the prospects to get a trade for Halladay done.
• Phillies general manager Rubin Amaro Jr. said that the Phillies do have the financial flexibility to add an ace pitcher like Halladay. 
• Joel Sherman of The New York Post confirms the sentiment that the Phillies are in the lead for Halladay and notes that the Rangers and Cardinals could be players as well (as we indicated yesterday).  
• In his discussion with Sherman Blue Jays general manager JP Riccardi noted that discussions with other teams has been very preliminary and while they're always interested in teams' best prospect, if they got a shortstop out of the deal, that would be preferable.  However, Halladay does have a no trade clause and has already provided Riccardi with a list of teams that he is not interested in playing for.  The Jays are able to afford Halladay for 2010 if they need to, so Riccardi is trying to give the impression that they are not desperate to move their star pitcher.  He does not, however, think they'd be able to resign him after 2010. 
• Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has given no indication that the team is interested in acquiring Halladay.  That's a bit of a misnomer.  I'm sure they're very interested, but just not for the price tag that it will realistically take to get him.
• Lyle Weber of mlb.com throws out major leaguers Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana and minor leaguers Brandon Wood, Sean O'Sullivan and Jordan Walden as possible pieces to group together in a package offer for Halladay.  It seems unlikely that the Jays would be interested in Aybar or Saunders, but Santana could get their attention along with Wood.

Let's peruse some news and notes from yesterday:

• The Orioles released Adam Loewen yesterday, but hope that he clears waivers so that they can resign him to a minor league contract.
• Similarly, the Dodgers declined Angel Berroa's $5.5M option for 2009, bought the infielder out for $500K and hope to retain Berroa through a less expensive contract.
• The Twins are rumored to be interested in acquiring Matt Cain from the Giants for Delmon Young.
• The Mets are considering making a run at Francisco Rodriguez but are not likely to get in a bidding war for CC Sabathia.
• Reds general manager Walt Jockety confirmed yesterday that the team has made an offer to free agents David Weathers and Jerry Hairston Jr..

Let's review the news and notes from this past weekend in baseball:

• The Giants are looking for a bat such as Dan Uggla, Paul Konerko and Derrick Lee and would likely need to move Jonathan Sanchez or Main Cain.
• Michael Barrett opted for free agency.
• Good chat with As general manager Billy Beane.
• Another chat with Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.
• The Indians seem poised to pick up Jamey Carroll's 2009 option. 
• Baseball America ranks the 2008 draft classes by the amount of money spent on the picks.
• A pitching expert sees Chan Ho Park as a rebound candidate for 2009.

Jon Heyman has a new article on si.com:

• Despite rumors that the Brewers would like to retain interim manager Dale Sveum, Heyman says that Sveum's status in Milwaukee is very tenuous.
• The Brewers denied rumors that they were trading Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and a third player for Matt Cain.  Boy, NO ONE believes Brian Sabean when he says he's not trading Cain.  The Brewers had to deny this story, not the Giants.
• Instead of trading Hardy to make room for Alcides Escobar, the Brewers could move him to second base, as well.
• An unnamed GM said that the Mets will make a big run for Manny Ramirez.
• Another GM said that the Blue Jays contract extension offer to AJ Burnett would still not be enough to keep AJ in Toronto.
• The Mets feel that Luis Castillo, Aaron Heilman and Ryan Church would play much better outside of New York.  Does this mean they're trade bait?

Let's take a spin around some odds and ends in baseball:

• Wes Helms signed a two-year, $1.9M contract extension with the Marlins.  The Marlins held a $3.75M option on Helms' 2009 season, but instead were able to negotiate a deal which includes Helms' $750K buyout.
• The Twins are rumored to be interested in Orlando Cabrera.
• The Braves should consider trying to acquire Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt and Josh Willingham.  Apparently no one believes Brian Sabean when he says that he's not trading Cain.
• The Yankees and Mets should go after Lowe.
• The Twins are expected to exercise Mike Redmond's $950K 2009 option.
• There is word that Mike Timlin could retire.

Espn.com's Buster Olney provides us a list of some young starters would could possibly be traded this off-season:

Jake Peavy

Peavy is due to make $61M over the next four years along with a $4M buyout in 2013. His 2009 salary will be $9M, almost 1/5th of the Padres projected $50M budget. Peavy has expressed his frustration with losing in San Diego numerous times. You do the math.

Zack Greinke

Despite being only 24, Greinke will be a free agent in two years when he turns 26 and figures to make quite a bit of money on the open market. Olney feels that if the Royals are not committed to resigning Greinke, this winter is their last chance to get maximum value for the young pitcher. Peter Gammons discussed the Royals conundrum last month.

Matt Cain

Even though Brian Sabean has said that he is not interested in trading the young pitcher, Olney wonders that if Sabean was floored by a great offer if he'd reconsider his stance.

Edwin Jackson

Jackson is a young, good, developing pitcher and the Rays certainly have some flexibility at starting pitcher with David Price and Jeff Niemann expected to make major league contributions next year.

San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean held a press conference today with quite a bit of news. Bruce Bochy was also in on the press conference. Let's take a look:

• Rich Aurilia is a possibility to return to the team, but there is "zero chance" Omar Vizquel returns.
• Pablo Sandoval will be the first baseman for 2009.
• Despite rampant speculation, Sabean said that Matt Cain was untouchable in trade scenarios.

Lots to cover from around baseball:

• Great article by Tim Lemke and Mark Zuckerman from The Washington Times regarding the state of the Nationals. Quite discouraging.
• The Astros hope to re-sign LaTroy Hawkins.
• Andy Pettitte is still uncertain if he'll return for 2009. Based on recent rumors, my guess is that when the Yankees do not ask him to come back, he'll retire.
• The Mariners would have the #1 pick in the draft if the season ended today. After recent news that Erik Bedard is likely to be non-tendered, the team will probably use the money they would have spent on Bedard to go after concensus #1 pick, Stephen Strasberg.
• The Cubs claimed outfielder Brad Snyder off of waivers from the Indians.
• More Matt Cain rumors. This time for Ryan Ludwick.
• Milton Bradley says that a deal is only 50-50 for him to return to the Rangers in 2009 and beyond. Bradley is looking for a two-year deal or would consider retirement. Bradley professed his desire to return to Texas earlier.
• The Marlins are close to a new ballpark.
• Greg Maddux is not giving any hints into his plans for 2009. 
• After their split with the Syracuse Sky Cheifs, the Blue Jays Triple-A team will now be in Las Vegas.

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated has posted his latest column.  Let's take a look:

• One unnamed Yankees official feels it will take a contract well above market value to lure CC Sabathia to New York, but more importantly, out of the National League.
• The Yankees are also looking to trade for a centerfielder which means they're obviously not happy with the defensive play of Johnny Damon who is owed $13M for 2009.  Nate McLouth, David DeJesus and Matt Kemp have all been discussed with Robinson Cano as the headliner of a package to get one of those players. 
• Heyman doesn't believe the Yankees will resign Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu because of their poor defense.  It's going to cost New York $5M just to get rid of Giambi. 
• Rumors of the Brewers interest in acquiring Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts during the spring have been confirmed. 
• Heyman fuels the Matt Cain for Prince Fielder rumors, despite no official from either club having formally mentioned such a deal.  He feels that might free up the Giants to then go after CC Sabathia. 
• Another dark horse for Sabathia are the Rockies.

Plenty to get through from John Perotto's latest column.  Let's get started:

• Despite rumors of a lot of movement in the GM ranks this offseason, Perotto thinks that all we'll see is Ruben Amaro Jr. taking over for the retiring Pat Gillick in Philadelphia and Kim Ng taking over the vacant Seattle job. 
• Angels owner Arte Moreno says that they will not exceed their current payroll of $123M.  The Angels have plenty of free agents for 2009 that they'll need to make some hard decisions on. 
• The Yankees seem likely to make a run at Orlando Hudson meaning that Robinson Cano is likely to be traded. 
• The Tigers hope to resign Freddy Garcia for 2009 and have been rumored to be interested in Derek Lowe as well.  Kenny Rogers is not likely to return.
• The Royals are rumored to be discussing trade talks with Atlanta for Jeff Francoeur. 
• Perotto fuels the rumors that the Giants are looking to trade pitching for hitting by suggesting that the team is shopping Matt Cain for a quality hitter in return.  Prince Fielder has been heavily rumored as a trade option for the Giants.
• It is looking more likely that the Mariners will non-tender Erik Bedard for 2009.  Bedard is scheduled for shoulder surgery and will likely miss a lot of 2009.