According to FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi, the Cubs are “more likely” to move Matt Garza at the trade deadline this summer than before the start of the regular season.

The Cubs clearly weren’t blown away by the offers they got for Garza this winter and will simply try again in July. Garza, 28, registered a 3.32 ERA and 197/63 K/BB ratio across 198 innings last season. He’s set to earn a $9.5 million salary in 2012.

According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, the Cardinals are nearing a minor league deal with Alex Cora.

Cora batted just .224/.287/.276 in 172 plate appearances with the Nationals last season. The 36-year-old is doubtful to land a 25-man roster spot in St. Louis.

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Reds are not actively pursuing free agent starter Roy Oswalt.

The Reds merely kicked the tires to get a feel for his asking price, which likely remains out of their price range. Oswalt, 34, is thought to prefer to sign a contract with the Rangers or Cardinals and is said to want around $10 million for 2012. The Red Sox are also maintaining some level of interest in the right-hander.

According to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, at least one major league executive believes Andres Torres projects as a fifth outfielder.

The Mets are looking for insurance behind Torres, who is coming off a season that saw him hit just .221/.312/.330 with four home runs and 19 RBI. Remaining free agent options currently include Rick Ankiel, Kosuke Fukudome, Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon, all of which have been linked to New York this offseason.

An arbitration expert tells the Boston Herald that the Red Sox’s offer is ”more in line with the market” than the request submitted by David Ortiz.

Ortiz is seeking $16.5 million in salary, but recent free agents that compare favorably will be making between $12 million and $14 million this season, indicating that the hearing could result in favor of the Red Sox. According to the report, the fact that Ortiz is being offered slightly more than what he made last year at an advancing age will be difficult to ignore. Ortiz turned 36 in November and batted 309/.398/.554 with 29 home runs and 96 RBI this past season.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel expects the arbitration decision for Anibal Sanchez to be pushed back until Monday.

The Marlins and Sanchez were roughly $1 million apart when arbitration figures were exchanged last month and remain unlikely to reach an extension. Eligible for free agency after this season, it’s looking like he’ll get an opportunity to test the free agent market next winter.

MLB Network’s Peter Gammons reports the Athletics are evaluating Magglio Ordonez for a spring tryout.

Ordonez has reportedly made “consistent progress” in his recovery from ankle surgery and expects to play in 2012 despite being active for just 92 games last season. If he signs with the Athletics, it would only be on a minor league contract.

The Red Sox and Roy Oswalt continue to have “mutual interest” in one another, according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal.

Brett Pill was held out of the Mexican League this year due to being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his hip.

Pill doesn’t have elite tools and lacks power for a first baseman, but should have an outside chance of making the Giants’ 25-man roster this season. He’ll look to compete for a bench job in spring training.

The Journal News suggests Jorge Vazquez could ”legitimately hit his way into roster contention” this spring.

Concerns about Vazquez’s strikeout rate and ability to hit for average remain, but the Yankees have yet to sign an everyday designated hitter and could be content to wait things out. The 29-year-old career minor leaguer hit .262 with 32 home runs in 500 at-bats for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this past season.

Tigers signed INF Brent Dlugach to a minor league contract.

Dlugach, 28, spent the majority of his career in Detroit’s farm system before a brief stint on Boston’s 40-man roster this past season. A sixth round pick in 2004, he’s strictly organizational depth for the Tigers.

The Rockies are expected to use Chris Nelson in a utility role this season, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding.

Nelson, who had a brief stint as a starter last season before being demoted, is looking to put himself in line for semi-regular starts at second base behind the 36-year-old Marco Scutaro. Out of minor league options, the Rockies would have to expose him to other teams through waivers if he’s unable to make the final roster.

The Giants have discussed the possibility of moving Buster Posey to first base ”at least once a week,” according to the Mercury News.

Posey is ”uncertain” how his surgically repaired left ankle will respond to baseball activities and the Giants don’t anticipate having a gauge on his durability until the end of the spring. Barring any setbacks, the 24-year-old is expected be 100 percent by the start of Opening Day.

Royals signed OF Ramon Hernandez Jorrin to a minor league contract.

“We had a chance to watch him play in games and we liked him,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “Several other teams were trying to sign him as well.” Jorrin, 22, agreed to terms with the Royals when the team recently evaluated him in the Dominican Republic. His signing bonus is expected to be in the range of $750,000.

The Brewers have yet to make progress in contract talks with Jose Veras, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.

Veras requested $2.38 million and was offered $2 million from the Brewers when arbitration figures were exchanged last month, so the two sides will be negotiating on a relatively small gap. The 31-year-old is arbitration-eligible for just the second time this winter.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi acknowledged Johnny Damon as a player they could potentially pursue at designated hitter.

”Johnny has been a great player for a long time,” Girardi said. “There’s been a bunch of names talked about, and they?re all good players. Obviously, we know what Johnny and [Hideki Matsui] have meant to this organization. I can?t tell you it’s going to be one of those guys, but we know they know how to play here.” Damon, 38, batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBI this for the Rays past season. He has received little interest on the open market.

The consequences of Dominican ballplayers caught using a false identity include ”ineligibility to enter the United States for life,” according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The Plain Dealer notes that comments made by consul general William Weissman Tuesday ”may have been premature” and the U.S. State Department has backtracked in regard to the cases of Fausto Carmona and Leo Nunez (Juan Carlos Oviedo). Both Carmona and Nunez are cooperating with the U.S government, but it is still unknown if they will be able to get a visa to enter the United States.

Diamondbacks’ general manager Kevin Towers said during a web chat Thursday that “we still think there’s a chance” Stephen Drew (ankle) will be ready for Opening Day.

“With Stephen, he’s progressing every week,” wrote Towers. “He’s swinging the bat now and doing baseball-specific agility drills, which is good. We still think there’s a chance that he could be ready by Opening Day. Until we start playing games and see where he’s at, so far the drills are in a controlled environment and game speed can be different. We’ll have a better idea then.” It’s important to note that Drew is headed into what is essentially his contract year (his $10 million option for 2013 includes a $1.35 buyout), so he’ll likely take every precaution before playing in games. The D-Backs re-signed Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald over the winter, so they have some insurance in the event that he begins the season on the disabled list. Fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely in the coming weeks.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that while the Orioles maintain interest in Manny Ramirez, there are plenty of issues that must be rectified before the club considers offering him a contract.

Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com reported Friday afternoon that Ramirez was deciding whether to pursue a contract with the Blue Jays, Orioles or Athletics, but it doesn’t sound like he’s very far along in the process with Baltimore. “Manny is looking for a second chance,” said Orioles? executive vice president Dan Duquette.” I think it is a good story, but that’s about all I can say about it right now.” Ramirez, 39, would almost certainly have to accept a minor-league deal in order to continue his career. While he would need to serve a 50-game PED suspension before being able to play during the regular season, he would be able to suit up during spring training.

Pablo Sandoval said Friday that he might undergo LASIK surgery on his right eye.

Sandoval underwent LASIK surgery on his left eye during the offseason and is seeing the ball well so far, though the real test will come during game action. Assuming he’s satisfied with the results, he’ll likely get the procedure on his left eye next winter.

Dodgers signed RHP Todd Coffey to a one-year, $1.3 million contract with a $2.5 million club option for 2013.

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that he’ll make $1 million this season while the option includes a $300,000 buyout. Coffey saw decreases with his strikeout and ground ball rates last season with the Nationals, but still managed a 3.62 ERA over 69 appearances. Assuming Dodgers’ manager Don Mattingly uses him appropriately (keeps him away from lefty batters), the 31-year-old right-hander should remain an effective mid-to-late inning bridge.

Joba Chamberlain (Tommy John surgery) has started throwing off a half-mound.

Chamberlain, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, threw off a five-inch mound at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Florida on Friday under the supervision of Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild and the team’s vice president Billy Connors. The 26-year-old right-hander hopes to make his way back to the Yankees’ bullpen sometime during the first half of the season.

Orioles signed INF/OF Jeff Larish to a minor league contract.

The deal does not include a spring training invite. Larish, a fifth-round pick of the Tigers in 2005, batted .240/.330/.449 with 13 homers, 37 RBI and a .779 OPS over 288 plate appearances with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate last season. The 29-year-old owns an underwhelming .224/.308/.380 batting line over 276 plate appearances in the big leagues, so look for him to serve as organizational depth for Baltimore.

Peter Moylan (shoulder) said Thursday that he has been playing catch from 60 feet twice a week.

Moylan is currently working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his right rotator cuff in October. The 33-year-old was non-tendered by the Braves in December, but signed a minor league deal with the club last month. We’ll know a lot more about his progress once he throws from a mound, but the hope is that he’ll be able to contribute out of the bullpen prior to the All-Star break.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, Manny Ramirez is deciding whether to pursue a contract with the Blue Jays, Orioles or Athletics.

None of the three teams have made formal offers to Ramirez, but Rojas was told by a source that Oakland is willing to give him the best opportunity at playing time. Once he makes a decision on where he would prefer to play, negotiations are expected to begin. It’s doubtful he’ll get anything more than a minor-league deal, though performance-based incentives could obviously vary. Ramirez, who turns 40 in May, will have to serve a 50-game PED suspension before being permitted to play during the regular season.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that Bryce Harper could make the team’s Opening Day roster.

“We’re take a look at him and see where he’s at developmentally,” explained Rizzo. “If we feel he’s ready to play at the major-league level, we’re not going to restrict him. We’ll be cautious yet open-minded. If he gives us the best chance to win, we’ll keep an open mind and see where it takes us.” Nationals manager Davey Johnson has made it clear that he would like Harper to make the team, but considering that the 19-year-old batted .256/.329/.395 after being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg last year, some more at-bats in the minor leagues might be the best thing for him. They also have his arbitration clock to worry about. Either way, it should be one of the more interesting storylines to watch during spring training.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that he’s going to look at Melky Cabrera in the leadoff spot.

Angel Pagan figures to be his primary competition. While Cabrera is coming off the better year, both players have a .333 career on-base percentage and Pagan has stolen at least 32 bases in each of the past two seasons. Bochy is also toying with the idea of using Cabrera in the third spot and sliding Pablo Sandoval down to fifth, but we hope it doesn’t come to that. As of now, Nate Schierholtz figures to start in one of the corner outfield spots while Aubrey Huff and Brandon Belt will compete for at-bats at first base.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers and reliever Todd Coffey have agreed to a contract.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that it’s a one-year, $1.3 million deal with a club option for 2013. Coffey, 31, earned $1.35 million last season with the Nationals while posting a solid 3.62 ERA and 46/20 K/BB ratio over 60 innings. He should continue to be a solid set-up man.

Pablo Sandoval gained 25 pounds during the offseason.

Sandoval claims that it’s all muscle, but it doesn’t sound like Giants manager Bruce Bochy is buying it. “He knows he’s got a few pounds to lose,” said Bochy.” We had a good talk.” Sandoval is coming off a resurgent 2011 campaign, so it’s only natural to have some concerns that he’s headed in the wrong direction again, but keep in mind that there’s still a long way to go before the start of the season.

Jason Castro (foot surgery) has been cleared to start jogging and increasing the intensity of his workouts.

Castro had surgery in early-December to remove the sesamoid bone from his left foot after injuring it while playing in the Arizona Fall League. While the 24-year-old backstop considers himself ahead of schedule and hopes to be ready for the start of the Astros’ Grapefruit League schedule, he has no plans to push himself too soon. “I’m not going to rush anything when I first get to camp just so that I’m ready to play when games start and kind of make sure I’m strong enough and my foot is ready for game-speed-type stuff,” said Castro, who missed all of last season with a torn meniscus and ACL in his right knee. “We’ll take it as it comes, and when I get to camp, feel it out and see what I’m ready for and progress from there.” The Astros have Chris Snyder and Humbero Quintero as in-house insurance policies if Castro suffers any setbacks.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said contract extension talks for Josh Hamilton will be tabled while the outfielder sorts through his personal issues.

“Right now there’s more important things to deal with,” Daniels said. It’s no surprise, obviously, after Hamilton had a relapse at a bar Monday night. The outfielder was very open and honest while talking to the media Friday, and the Rangers have told him they’ll continue to support him. We can’t help but wonder, though, if it will give the team more pause when it comes to forking out a big money extension.

Tim Lincecum lost 21 pounds over the offseason.

The two-time NL Cy Young winner got up to 196 pounds last year in an effort to improve his durability, but he decided that he preferred to be lighter. The difference in weight doesn’t appear to have affected him either way, as he registered a sparkling 2.74 ERA and 220/86 K/BB ratio in 217 innings last year. Lincecum agreed to a two-year, $40.5 million contract last month and remains hopeful of signing a longer deal with the team at some point.

Rays RHP Jeff Niemann lost his arbitration hearing and was awarded a $2.75 million salary for 2012.

Niemann was looking for a $3.2 million payday, but the Rays won again, running their arbitration streak to 6-0 overall and 5-0 under executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. The big right-hander looks to be competing with Wade Davis for the final spot in the Rays rotation this spring, assuming one of the two isn’t traded.

Brian Wilson said he’s lost 15 pounds over the offseason in an effort to gain more flexibility.

At the Giants’ urging, Wilson focused his workouts more on cardio than weight training. He thinks the new routine will help keep him healthier in 2012. It surely won’t do anything to help the elbow issue he dealt with, but it could aid him in ridding himself of the back issues that cropped up on occasion. As for his beard, Wilson said it’s not going away anytime soon. “It’s part of me,” he said.

Brewers avoided arbitration with RHP Shaun Marcum by agreeing to a one-year contract.

They settled at the $7.725 million midpoint. The two sides are interested in discussing a long-term extension at some point, but for now they’ll just settle for the one-year deal. Marcum faded down the stretch in 2011 but still finished with a 3.54 ERA in his first season with the Brew Crew. He’ll be the No. 3 starter in what should be another strong Brewers rotation.

Orioles released RHP Rick VandenHurk.

VandenHurk was designated for assignment last week and is now free to sign with another organization. Although he allowed nine runs — eight earned — over nine innings at the major league level in 2011, VandenHurk has a pretty nice minor league track record and is only 26. He should have no trouble catching on somewhere.

Jose Lobaton (shoulder) has been throwing at 120 feet and doesn’t expect to be held back at all at the start of spring training.

Lobaton was removed from his Venezuelan Winter League club due to weakness in his right shoulder, but it was just a precautionary move and it appears that he’ll be fine. The 27-year-old hit just .118/.231/.147 in his brief time with the Rays this past season but boasted an impressive .307/.417/.505 line at Triple-A. He’s expected to share the catching job with Jose Molina this season.

Pirates signed LHP Brian Tallet to a minor league contract.

We assume the veteran will probably receive an invitation to spring training. Tallet suffered through an injury-plagued 2011 campaign and posted an ugly 9.45 ERA and 2.18 WHIP over 19 appearances for the Cardinals and Blue Jays. He has an outside shot at cracking the Opening Day roster.

Angels signed LHP Greg Smith to a minor league contract.

It’s not clear whether he’s been given a spring training invite. Smith spent all of 2011 at Triple-A in the Yankees and Red Sox organizations, posting a 4.52 ERA over 17 games — 14 starts. The 28-year-old was once a decent prospect but is organizational filler at this point.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Friday that he’d like to add another bat to the designated hitter mix.

“I think we’ve had a good offseason… but I think it’s important to our club that you add another bat,” Girardi said. “AL’s going to be tough.” The manager brought up Raul Ibanez’s name, and the 39-year-old would be a fit as a potential platoon mate with Andruw Jones in the DH slot. Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have also been floated as possible fits for the Bombers.

Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 in Cleveland reports that the Indians have a multi-year contract offer on the table to Asdrubal Cabrera.

It’s not clear how much it’s for, but Camino says the two sides could still end up just settling on a one-year pact. Cabrera is looking to cash in on a long-term deal after a breakout 2011 season where he batted .273/.332/.460 batting line with 25 homers, 92 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a .792 OPS. He’s under team control through 2013.

Rockies signed RHP Matt Belisle to a one-year contract extension.

The deal also includes a mutual option for 2014. Financial details are not available at this time. Belisle’s numbers fell back a bit in 2011 from the previous season, but he still had a nice year, posting a 3.25 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while leading all MLB relievers with 10 wins. He’ll help set up for Rafael Betancourt this season.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post was told by a Nationals official that trade talks involving John Lannan are “overblown.”

It could be posturing, of course, as he’s set to make $5 million this season yet could begin the year at Triple-A. The Nats no doubt would be willing to part with him, but it appears that they’re planning on at least going into spring training with him and Ross Detwiler still on the roster. Chien-Ming Wang is the favorite to land the No. 5 job behind Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson.

Marlins president David Samson said the team has no plans to offer Anibal Sanchez a contract extension.

Sanchez is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter, and, unless talks start up during the season, it sounds like the Fish are prepared to let him test the free agent market. The right-hander’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Friday, and he hopes to earn $8 million, with the Marlins offering $6.9 million. Sanchez posted a 3.67 ERA and a 202/64 K/BB ratio over 196 1/3 innings in 2011.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti revealed Friday that the team is negotiating a long-term extension with Asdrubal Cabrera.

Antonetti says any deal must align “in value and term.” It’s no surprise that Cabrera is looking to cash in on an extension following a career year, but it might be wise for the Indians to see what he does in 2012 before handing him a boatload of cash. The 26-year-old is in his second year of arbitration and requested $5.2 million and was offered $3.75 million from the Indians when figures were exchanged last month.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti indicated Friday that Matt LaPorta is likely to begin the season at Triple-A.

The Tribe signed Casey Kotchman to be their regular first baseman, and they’d like to give LaPorta everyday at-bats. The former top prospect will compete for a bench role, but Antonetti thinks LaPorta would benefit from some more seasoning. With a career .313/.400/.553 batting line there, LaPorta has nothing left to prove at Triple-A. He might have run out of chances with the Indians, though.

Cubs and RHP Matt Garza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.5 million contract.

The deal is under the $10.225 million midpoint, but it also contains performance bonuses that could push the total higher. The 28-year-old right-hander earned $5.95 million last season while posting a 3.32 ERA and 197/63 K/BB ratio in 198 innings. He remains under team control through 2013 but figures to be a prime trade candidate at the July deadline.

The Padres will give the newly signed Micah Owings a chance to compete for the final spot in the rotation.

He’s unlikely to get it, as Dustin Moseley is the clear favorite as long as he’s healthy. Anthony Bass will be the third contender. Owings’ ability with the bat makes him an ideal long reliever, though, as he can work multiple relief innings while saving the Padres from having to use a pinch-hitter. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 3.57 ERA and 44/23 K/BB ratio over 63 innings last season for the D’Backs.

The Pirates’ arbitration hearing with Casey McGehee is set for February 16.

Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the two sides have “continued to negotiate,” but it’s not clear if they’re close to coming to an agreement. It seems unlikely, though, that they would trade for the infielder and then go to an arbitration hearing with him. McGehee requested $2.725 million and was offered $2.35 million from the Pirates when figures were exchanged last month.

Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio reports that Edwin Jackson will receive $11 million on his one-year deal with the Nationals, though $2 million of it is deferred.

Duquette also adds that Jackson turned down two three-year offers worth in the vicinity of $20-25 million, instead hoping he can cash in during free agency next offseason. The 28-year-old went 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with the White Sox and Cardinals last season and posted a 5.60 ERA in four postseason outings for St. Louis.