Odds and Ends: Spiezio, Pavano, Gross, Jackson

Links, rumors...

• Scott Spiezio is in trouble with the law, and the Cardinals decided to release him for it.  Joe Ostermeier notes that the Cards now have about $20MM in dead money on the payroll for '08.
• Evan Grant believes the Rangers would want Jose Ceda or Donald Veal in a deal for Marlon Byrd.
• Call it informed speculation, but Mike Berardino wonders whether Carl Pavano could end up back with the Marlins eventually.
• Ken Rosenthal recently wrote that the Padres were eyeing Gabe Gross.  Tom Haudricourt found out that Kevin Towers never inquired on the Brewers outfielder, but that doesn't mean the Friars weren't eyeing him.
• Ken Davidoff makes a case for why the Astros should sign Roger Clemens.
• Sadly, the Rockies pulled the plug on a deal with Neifi Perez at the last minute.
• We hear "best shape of his life" often in Spring Training, but not with the newly signed Bartolo Colon.  The Red Sox have some history pursuing Colon, as noted by Rob Bradford.
• Conor Jackson switched agents.

Rosenthal's Latest: Gross, Weaver, Encarnacion

Ken Rosenthal is on the scene with some new rumors.

• Astros president Tal Smith arguing other teams' arbitration cases.   Rosenthal finds it a bit awkward, while Keith Law finds it to be a hilarious conflict of interest.
• Possible trades of Matt Murton to the Padres or Rangers seem to have fizzled.  The Padres may turn to the Brewers' Gabe Gross, a player who previously caught the eye of the A's, Indians, and Braves.  Our good friend PECOTA sees a .267/.366/.467 line from Gross this year.  With Gross and various veteran starters, the Brewers have some surpluses to work with.
• Rosenthal believes the Cardinals' interest in Jeff Weaver to be not especially serious.  They've got in-house candidates to start, and Matt Clement needing some time is not a revelation.
• We've read about extension possibilities for Matt Capps and Alex Rios.  To that mix, Rosenthal adds Edwin Encarnacion.  The Reds might want to do it now; he seems primed for a big year.