Odds & Ends: Marlins, Molina, Cueto, Astros

Let's check out some links to cap off the afternoon:

• Marlins president David Samson says that he is not aware of any talks with Bobby Valentine, according to Dan Gelston of the Associated Press. Current manager Fredi Gonzalez is signed through 2011.  Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports reports that Samson would not dispel speculation that Gonzalez' job may be in jeopardy.
• Bengie Molina wants to remain in San Francisco, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.  Molina is seeking a raise from the $6MM he made this season in a two-year pact.  Baggarly says that the Giants are going to ask for a lower base, as the 35-year-old is likely to catch less games as time progresses.  The article names Ramon Hernandez and Jason Kendall as veteran catchers who could replace Molina if he is not retained.  Molina projects as a Type A free agent.
• As the season comes to a close, players are looking ahead to the prospect of playing winter ball.  After logging 171.1 IP this season, the Reds are considering keeping Johnny Cueto from playing in the Dominican Republic, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Meanwhile, the Mets' Bobby Parnell would prefer not to play winter ball after going through the grind of his first full big league season, writes Marty Noble of MLB.com.  Manager Jerry Manuel says that not pitching in winter ball will not effect his candidacy as a starter for the Mets next season.
• Ken Davidoff of Newsday posted selections from his Sunday Insider column.  Davidoff says that Jim Fregosi – who worked with Houston GM Ed Wade in Philadelphia – appears to be a candidate for the Astros managerial position.  Recently, Wade said that he doesn't expect Craig Biggio or Jeff Bagwell to become the team's next manager.
• Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes via Twitter, "I will be very surprised if Rick Peterson is not the Brewers' next pitching coach.  He appears to be the leading candidate by far."
• Haudricourt also tweets that Ryan Braun wants the club to capitalize on their "small window…to win"