Odds and Ends: Kazmir, Thomas, Sweeney

We’ll kick it off with a few links today and add more bullets periodically.

• Cole Hamels feels that he handled his contract renewal last year immaturely.
• Over at The Hardball Times, Geoff Young looks at the best compensation picks of the 20th century.
• Geoff Blum’s ’09 option vests with one more plate appearance.
• Bronson Arroyo has a plan to make the Reds competitive.
• Matthew Cerrone explains Carlos Delgado’s ’09 option.
• Jeff Passan on the Cardinals’ brilliant signing of Ryan Ludwick.
• Baseball Prospectus profiles #26-50 on their list of players to build a team around.
• Twins reliever Brian Bass accepted a Triple A assignment, so he won’t become a free agent.
• MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo takes a preliminary look at the ’09 draft order.
• Jamey Newberg wonders if the Rangers could pry Scott Kazmir loose this winter.  It’s hard to see the Rays trading him.
• Susan Slusser expects the A’s to add an impact bat this winter, but free agent DHs Frank Thomas and Mike Sweeney will probably be let go.  In a related note, ESPN’s Buster Olney says the A’s had a chance earlier this year to acquire Jason Bay for a package including pitching prospect Vin Mazzaro.