Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Bonds

Your collection of links and rumors...

• Interestingly, Pirates GM Neal Huntington put out a statement for Pirates' fans.  He explains why the Pirates have been inactive this winter, and I agree with the logic.  This team doesn't need to be wasting money on mediocre free agents.
• Justin Huber is out of options, so he'll either make the Royals or end up elsewhere.
• Athletics Nation paints a picture in which the A's are buyers at this year's trade deadline.  A parallel universe with a healthy Rich Harden, if you will.
• The Red Sox are exploring a multiyear deal for Jonathan Papelbon, according to Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe.
• With 20/20 hindsight, Viva El Birdos rewrites how they might have conducted the Cardinals' offseason moves.
• No one wants Barry Bonds.  He's in game shape, but one exec Andrew Baggarly talked to has heard no rumors at all.  Baggarly has talked to some baseball officials who believe Bonds might play in Japan in 2008.  Now that would be something.