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.