Odds and Ends: Hart, Ellis, Mientkiewicz, Varitek

Today’s random links…

• Ken Rosenthal discusses possible changes at various GM positions.  Jon Heyman says Pat Gillick could take a high-ranking role with the Blue Jays if not the Mariners.
• Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart is interested in the Mariners job.  The Mariners hope to have their permanent GM hired by the end of October.
• A Japanese pitcher invented a new pitch called the shake.
• Eddie Bajek wonders if Mark Ellis could handle shortstop.  It’s good to think out of the box given the free agent market at the position.
• Doug Mientkiewicz would like to spend another season as a Pirates clubhouse leader, but he’d also like more playing time.
• The trio of Blue Jays middle infielders react to the Angels rumor.
• DraftInfo chatted with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.
• Amalie Benjamin believes there’s a good chance the Red Sox re-sign Jason Varitek.