Odds & Ends: Pirates, Cubs, Red Sox, Hawkins

Some more links to read through as we count down the hours until teams can start serious negotiations with all free agents…

• GM Neal Huntington tells MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch that the Pirates won't be spending big on relievers this year: "Our focus is going to be more on the borderline-type guys that may not get $3-4 million or may not even get a Major League contract," Huntington said.
• The Cubs probably can't afford Rich Harden or Reed Johnson, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
• Harden and Erik Bedard appear on Jeff Zrebiec's list of ten free agents the O's might target.
• Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says the O's need at least one middle-of-the-order bat.
• The Cubs don't intend to pursue Pedro Martinez this offseason, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
• David Ortiz tells WEEI.com that the Red Sox can always use more power.
• The Astros have already offered LaTroy Hawkins a contract, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
• Peter Gammons of ESPN.com shows that the low-budget Marlins have had a lot of recent success because they're well-run.
• Giants GM Brian Sabean hinted that he could approach ownership with creative offers for big-name free agents, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.