Odds and Ends: Glavine, Kent, Kuroda

Picking up some rumors and tidbits that haven’t been otherwise posted during this busy day…

• An Atlanta TV station states that Tom Glavine would take a lot less money to play for the Braves.  Also, the Astros have reportedly been in touch with him.
• Joe Torre senses that Jeff Kent will return in 2008.  The Dodgers certainly hope so; he led the team with 20 home runs in ’07.
• Trey Hillman took a parting shot at Japanese reporters (hat tip to JapanBall).
• Reliever Masafumi Hirai might come over to MLB.  I’ll have to learn more about him.
• Hiroki Kuroda prefers to play on the West Coast because he doesn’t like cold weather.  Hmmm, Chicago might not work for him.  Kuroda has declared free agency, and the Mariners are interested.  There is word here that the Rangers have scouted him as well.
• The Braves are interested in Masahide Kobayashi to close, while the Mariners like him as a middle reliever (link in Japanese).
• There will be no Mike Lowell + A-Rod combo in Boston.
• Luis Gonzalez would like to return to the Tigers, while the team is interested in Cliff Floyd and Shannon Stewart for left field.  Ben Broussard may also be on the radar.
• The Rangers also like Broussard, and they’ve contacted Mike Lamb as well regarding their first base vacancy.  Lamb could play third if they trade Hank Blalock.  Jon Daniels also has Kerry Wood in his sights.
• The Rockies like Shawn Chacon, but only as a reliever.
• Derrick Goold breaks down the options for the Cardinals at shortstop.
• Don’t forget to make an entry in our Hot Stove Hysteria contest.  The deadline is November 12th.  If you feel the need to edit your entry, just post a new one.  They’re time-stamped; your latest entry will be used.  A new prize has been added: a fantasy draft kit from Big Dawg Baseball.