Odds and Ends: Wilson, Bautista, Hairston

Linkage for Friday...

• The AP explains how C.C. Sabathia will be paid $9.5MM before throwing a pitch for the Yankees.
• The D'Backs signed lefty Travis Blackley.
• Dan Johnson is headed to Japan.
• The Cardinals signed Japanese pitcher Katsuhiko Maekawa to a minor league deal.  Patrick Newman has details.
• Interesting discussion involving Raul Ibanez's defense.
• I did a Q&A with SportingGurus.com.
• Ken Rosenthal guesses destinations for 11 remaining free agents in this slideshow.
• MLB is undergoing a hiring/salary freeze and taking away 20% of vacation time for '09.
• Dejan Kovacevic had a lengthy chat with Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, who wishes the team would get more players to become competitive.  In his article Kovacevic also notes that the Pirates have had talks about bringing back pitcher Denny Bautista, who was non-tendered a week ago.
• Are the Mariners trying to open up a spot for Jerry Hairston Jr.?  They're looking to add a plus-plus defensive second baseman; not sure if he qualifies.
• Aubrey Huff tops the list of fantasy baseball's biggest draft position gainers.
• Royals pitcher Kyle Davies is working a construction job this offseason.
• The Orioles settled with Sidney Ponson regarding their grievance.

Odds and Ends: Peavy, Ellsbury, Montero, Fukumori

More random rumors to devour...

• The Braves are looking at adding Damian Miller as their backup catcher.  The Nats are known to have interest and more playing time for Miller.  The Padres are considering him as well; Miller will definitely play in '08.
• Jake Peavy will get a three-year, $52MM extension with a $22MM option for 2013.  Who knows how the Padres will feel about that option when they get there.  Peavy will earn $15MM in 2010, $16MM in '11, and $17MM in '12.  The '13 option has a $4MM buyout attached.
• Jacoby Ellsbury signed on with the Scott Boras Corporation.  I made an error earlier saying Jon Lester had as well.
• Pirates inked utility man Chris Gomez for a million bucks.
• The Nationals have their eye on Arizona's Miguel Montero.  They're also one of the ten teams in on Kazuo Fukumori.  Barry Svrluga tosses a new Japanese reliever into the mix: Katsuhiko Maekawa.  Don't know a thing about him yet. 
• Larry LaRue tries to explain why the Mariners didn't offer arbitration to Jose Guillen.