• Clayton Kershaw's agents, Casey Close and J.D. Smart, were at the Dodgers' training site Wednesday, which could mean that Kershaw and the Dodgers are negotiating a contract extension, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick suggests. Close and Smart also represent Zack Greinke, however, and the pair watched Greinke pitch a minor-league game Wednesday. (10:15: Kershaw's agents were on hand at the Dodgers' training facility to watch Greinke pitch, and not to negotiate an extension for Kershaw, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.)
• The Padres have released pitcher Eddie Kunz, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports (on Twitter). The Mets made Kunz the No. 42 overall pick in the 2007 draft. He pitched in 2012 for Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson, posting a 5.77 ERA in 87 1/3 innings. He made four appearances in the big leagues with the Mets in 2008.

Dykstra, 24 in May, hit .241/.372/.438 in 469 plate appearances at High-A last year.  He was drafted 23rd overall by the Padres in '08.  Two years ago, Baseball America ranked him eighth among Padres prospects, praising his "plus-plus raw power and plate discipline" while expressing concern about a hip ailment and his lack of athleticism.  Dykstra did not crack BA's top 30 Padres prospects '10 or '11.  He's one of Paul DePodesta's guys, tweets Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.

Kunz, 25 in April, posted a 5.34 ERA, 5.1 K/9, 5.5 BB/9, and 0.6 HR/9 in 111 1/3 Double-A innings last year, including 12 starts.  Drafted 42nd overall in 2007 as a supplemental pick for the loss of Roberto Hernandez, Kunz last made the Mets' top 30 prospects one year ago at the #25 spot.  According to BA, Kunz's stock plummeted as his fastball and slider regressed and he struggled with his command and conditioning.

Talked to someone in Braves organization who sort of dismissed the Red Sox rumor. Said he hadn’t heard one thing about them having any serious interest in Francoeur or scouting him recently.

9:01am: Yahoo's Gordon Edes wrote about many different trade scenarios in his column last night.

• Edes seconds Ken Rosenthal's rumor that the Red Sox have been scouting Jeff Francoeur.
• The Nationals have been scouting the Mets' Triple and Double A teams, trying to figure out a possible return for Nick Johnson.  Names of interest for Washington: Jon Niese, Mike Antonini, Eddie Kunz, and big leaguer Bobby Parnell.  The Red Sox also had interest in Johnson, but not for the price of Michael Bowden.  Back to the Mets – Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a list of available players they could consider aside from Johnson, including Jermaine Dye, Ben Francisco, Adam LaRoche, and Eric Hinske.
• Edes likes the fit of Jose Valverde with the Rays, but speculates that the Astros could ask for Wade Davis in return.  Six years of Davis would be a huge price to pay for a few months of Valverde plus possible draft picks.  Edes also likes Mark DeRosa for Tampa Bay, but they seem well-equipped to handle Akinori Iwamura's injury with internal options.
• Edes names the Phillies, Brewers, Royals, and Twins as possible suitors for Brad Penny.  Edes adds that the Phillies "are already making plans for life without Brett Myers" after this season.
• The shortstop market includes Jack Wilson and perhaps John McDonald, but could become more interesting for a team like Boston if the Indians make Jhonny Peralta available.

Dye, 35 in January, hit .292/.344/.541 in 645 plate appearances.  He plays a below-average right field, according to the plus/minus system.  The Rays, Angels, Braves, Mets, Phillies, and Reds could be in the market for a corner outfielder.  Gonzales says Williams hopes to build a younger and quicker team for the future.

Gonzales adds that White Sox officials watched Mets prospects Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz pitch.  The Mets could match up on Dye, Javier Vazquez, or Bobby Jenks.