Author: Unknown

Free agent outfielder Johnny Damon told the New York Post that he has more suitors than just the Tigers and Braves.

One of those teams is the White Sox. According to the White Sox’s website, the team has interest in Damon but the website speculated he might not fit in the team’s budget. It also suggested that White Sox general manager Ken Williams merely could be trying to drive up Damon’s price for Detroit.

On Thursday, the Tigers offered him a two-year, $14 million deal, according to FOXSports.com. The Detroit News reports the Tigers appear to be "on the brink" of adding Damon and speculates he would hit second behind center field Austin Jackson.

On Wednesday, the Braves offered Damon a one-year deal, which The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported was worth between $4 million and $5 million. However, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution speculated the Braves’ offer won’t be extended to two years because outfield prospects Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer should be ready to start by next season.

Damon hit .282 with 24 homers, 82 RBIs, 107 runs for the Yankees in 2009.

The Reds have won the bidding for hard-throwing Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman.

Cincinnati has agreed to a $25 million major league contract with Chapman, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The pact, which will become official if Chapman passes a physical this week, is for five years with a player option for a sixth. The club, though, will make payments over 10 years, the newspaper reports.

Chapman, 22, has been in high demand since defecting last July, but Cincinnati was not considered his likely destination. Last week, the Blue Jays and Angels appeared to be the front-runners. Teams like the Marlins, Yankees and Red Sox had dropped out in recent days.

There is debate in baseball circles about Chapman’s readiness to pitch in the big leagues. The Enquirer reports the Reds believe Chapman could reach the majors sometime in 2010.

What isn’t in dispute is his raw ability; he regularly touches 100 mph with his fastball and complements the pitch with a mid-80s slider.

"He’s the real deal," a scout told ESPNBoston.com last week. "He’s not ready for the big leagues yet, but he has a fabulous arm. His slider is going to be a plus pitch, and though he has no feel yet for the changeup, his arm action is good, and that could come with time."

Despite being the subject of trade rumors this offeason, right-hander Derek Lowe remains a member of the Braves’ rotation. Because he is owed $45 million over the next three seasons, he was tough to move. Instead, Atlanta traded Javier Vazquez to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera.

So, is Lowe upset about the rumors, and does he want to be traded?

"Absolutely not," Lowe told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, adding that he merely was frustrated about the idea of being traded one season after signing a four-year deal with the Braves as a free agent.

Lowe went 15-10 last season but posted a 4.67 ERA, his worst ERA since 2004. In his final 21 starts in 2009, Lowe had a 5.59 ERA.

The Tigers are among the teams interested in right-hander Jose Valverde, according to Yahoo! Sports.

The Detroit Free Press noted Valverde would fill the team’s need for a proven closer, but he would cost the team a first-round pick in compensation. He also might be out of the team’s price range, as ESPN reported Valverde is seeking $8 million per season.

The Diamondbacks, with whom Valverde pitched from 2003-07, reportedly are one of the other teams giving him a look.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told the Boston Herald that there is mutual interest in signing righth-hander Josh Beckett to a contract extension.

Beckett will be a free agent after the 2010 season. In four seasons with Boston, Beckett is 65-34 with a 4.05 ERA in the regular season and 5-1 with a 3.88 ERA in the postseason.

Talks between the Twins and free-agent lefthander Jarrod Washburn have stalled, according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The newspaper reported Washburn recently turned down a one-year, $5 million offer from the team.

Washburn slumped badly (7.33 ERA in seven starts) after being traded from Seattle to Detroit late last season, but a knee injury was at least partially to blame. He had knee surgery following the season.

The Brewers also have expressed interest in signing Washburn.

The Mets are considering adding free-agent P John Smoltz to their rotation, according to the New York Daily News.

A source told the newspaper that the 42-year-old righthander is "in the pool" of pitchers the team is interested in signing.

Smoltz went 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox last season before being released. He found new life after signing with the Cardinals, however, posting a 4.26 ERA in seven starts. He struck out 40 in 38 innings with St. Louis.

The Daily News listed free-agent starters Joel Pineiro, Doug Davis and Jon Garland as other possibilities for the Mets. Meanwhile, talks between the team and free-agent catcher Bengie Molina remain stalled.