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.