Odds and Ends: Burrell, Atkins, Ohmura

Links for Monday...

• Even after signing LaTroy Hawkins, the Astros would like to re-sign Doug Brocail.  They already chose a $250K buyout over his $3.25MM option.  Further complicating matters, Brocail is a Type A free agent.
• The Royals signed pitcher Brandon Duckworth and then outrighted him to Triple A.
• Yahoo's Jeff Passan ranks all the free agents, from C.C. Sabathia at #1 to Vance Wilson at #183.
• The Giants seem likely to hit the free agent market for a reliever.
• Pat Burrell hasn't heard from the Phillies yet.
• John Brattain battles Scott Boras on his Manny Ramirez claims.
• Aaron Gleeman suggests the Twins would be better off platooning Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris at third base than acquiring Garrett Atkins.
• Joe Posnanski continues to find the Royals' Mike Jacobs acquisition baffling.  Jacobs seems to be aiming for a .320 OBP.
• Free agent pitcher Kenshin Kawakami still hasn't decided whether to jump over to MLB.
• Outfielder Saburo Ohmura seems to have changed his mind - he's likely to remain in Japan.

Odds and Ends: Twins, Big Unit, Rockies

Links and tidbits for Wednesday.  Remember to check back on this post for updates!

• Dave Cameron notes that the Elias rankings screwed over Damaso Marte by making him a Type A.  See also: Doug Brocail, Bob Howry, Darren Oliver.
• Remember to check out the Previous Entries link at the bottom of the website, as stories get buried pretty quickly in times like these.
• Japanese outfielder Saburo Ohmura (link in Japanese) would be fine with a minor league deal.
• Roch Kubatko has info on what it might take to trade for Khalil Greene or Jack Wilson.
• Pirates president Frank Coonelly confirmed the team's interest in Junichi Tazawa.  For what it's worth, Coonelly wouldn't rule out Derek Lowe when asked.
• Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times offers his thoughts on the rumor mill.
• Official Elias rankings for the AL and NL.
• Ballplayers are in for a tax bump under the Obama administration.  They'll manage.
• The Twins are looking for righthanded pop.
• The D'Backs have just $3-5MM budgeted for Randy Johnson.
• The Hanshin Tigers are eyeing Nelson Cruz, Kevin Mench, and Jose Bautista.  Only Mench is a free agent of the three.
• The Rockies are looking for a lefty reliever, according to Troy Renck and Keith Law.  How about Jeremy Affeldt again?
• Brewers GM Doug Melvin doesn't like his C.C. Sabathia offer being called window dressing.

NPB Rumors: Tazawa, Iwase, Iguchi

Some Japanese baseball-related rumors, courtesy of Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker:

• Seven teams have surfaced in Japanese media reports as suitors for free agent amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa: the Red Sox, Braves, Mariners, Pirates, Tigers, Cubs, and Phillies.  David O'Brien of the AJC says the Braves are "legit players" for Tazawa.  The Red Sox are seen as the frontrunner, according to Paul Hoynes.  Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald agrees that Boston is in the lead, and adds the Marlins to the mix.
• Reliever Hitoki Iwase will remain in Japan.  Shortstop Tomohiro Nioka is a free agent, but may not necessarily come to MLB.
• So Taguchi and Tadahito Iguchi may return to Japan for the '09 season.
• Saburo Ohmura is a 32 centerfielder with an eye on MLB.  Newman tells me he profiles as more of a fourth outfielder.