• The Rockies remain interested in former Cy Young winner Brandon Webb, who plans to set a date to throw in front of teams in the near future, reports the Denver Post's Troy Renck (via Twitter). Webb, 34 this spring, last appeared in the big leagues in April 2009.
• The Orioles have a few free agents for other teams to consider ranging from a sure-fire Hall of Famer to a utility infielder who will most likely use Twitter to announce his next stop, says Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.  
• The offseason doesn't always mean vacations or relaxing poolside for younger players in the Padres organization as the salary of a minor leaguer often fails to cover the bills, writes Corey Brock of MLB.com. 

• It's time for the Indians to release Derek Lowe and Johnny Damon since the veterans are not producing enough to justify their roster spots, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes.
• Geoff Blum told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that he’s in limbo now, but would love to play again "if the situation is right” (Twitter link). The Diamondbacks released the veteran infielder last month.
• Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said his starting rotation remains "a concern," Alex Angert of MLB.com reports. Stephen Fife still has a rotation spot despite rumors that the Dodgers might acquire a starter such as Ryan Dempster or Matt Garza.
• The Blue Jays voided the contract of Venezuelan shortstop Luis Castro after the prospect didn't pass his physical, Ben Badler of Baseball America writes. Castro, 16, had signed for $800K last month.
• The Red Sox placed Nick Punto and Carl Crawford on waivers today, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (Twitter link). Hundreds of players will be placed on waivers this month and only a small percentage of them will be traded.

The Diamondbacks activated Blum from the 60-day disabled list earlier this month and he played in nine games as a pinch hitter and third baseman. The 39-year-old collected four hits and two walks in 31 plate appearances for Arizona this year. He has a .250/.310/.384 career batting line in 14 seasons at the MLB level.

“Geoff is a veteran that can play nearly every position on the field while also having the experience of contributing to key situations late in the game as a pinch-hitter off of the bench,” Towers said.

Blum hit .267/.321/.356 in 218 plate appearances in 2010 and missed time with elbow and neck injuries. The 37-year-old played all four infield positions and went 14 for 42 as a pinch hitter, before Houston declined his $1.65MM option for 2011.

THURSDAY, 8:58pm: The proposed deal would be for two years, tweets Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.  An announcement could be made as soon as tomorrow.

THURSDAY, 7:12pm: The Diamondbacks are closing in on a deal with Geoff Blum, a baseball source tells Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.  The 37-year-old hit .267/.321/.356 in 218 plate appearances this season while dealing with elbow and neck injuries.

The Astros informed the veteran on October 1st that they would pay his $150K buyout rather than exercise his $1.65MM option for 2011.  At the time, Blum told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that he would miss Houston and gleaned from conversations with people in the organization that he would not return.  However, it was reported yesterday that he appeared to be close to re-signing with the Astros.

If Blum signs with Arizona, it will mark a reunion of sorts between the veteran and GM Kevin Towers.  The versatile switch-hitter played two seasons and change for the Padres during Towers' time in San Diego.

• The Astros appear to be close to re-signing Geoff Blum.
• The Red Sox will determine how available Adrian Gonzalez and Prince Fielder are before they start serious negotiations with top free agents. It sounds like the Padres and Brewers will at least listen to offers for their respective first basemen.
• The D’Backs are “shopping” Mark Reynolds and looking for relievers and contact hitters.
• Rival teams believe the White Sox will listen to offers for Gordon Beckham.
• Gary Matthews Jr. hopes to continue playing, according to Brown.

SUNDAY: The Astros informed Geoff Blum they will not be exercising his $1.65MM option for 2011, the infielder explained to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.  The Astros will instead pay a $150K buyout.  They will exercise Jason Michaels' option for $900K, according to McTaggart's source.

Astros GM Ed Wade told McTaggart he's leaving the door open to re-signing Blum anyway.  However, Blum's comments suggest he'll move on:

"I do know that I will not be here.  I'll miss being here, trust me. I've had several conversations with people within the organization and my services are not going to be needed here."

Blum, 37, hit .267/.321/.356 in 218 plate appearances this year while playing all infield positions aside from catcher.  He battled elbow and neck injuries.

Michaels, 34, convinced the Astros to retain him by hitting .254/.312/.470 in 202 PAs and playing all three outfield positions.

The Cardinals are pursuing infield help more aggressively than before, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The team lost David Freese to a season-ending ankle operation, so the front office would like to add a third baseman or utility infielder. GM John Mozeliak says he’s discussing players who have cleared waivers with a number of teams and waiting for other players to be placed on waivers. 

"The whole process of waivers is about being patient," Mozeliak said. "At the same token, if we felt like we could do something that will help us sooner rather than later, we would give that real consideration.”

The Cardinals are relying on Felipe Lopez to play third, but he has just a .580 OPS since the All-Star break. Allen Craig has appeared at the hot corner, but is probably not an everyday option there.

Here's MLBTR's complete list of players to clear waivers.

The 27-year-old utility player has appeared at second, third and short this year, and he has also played a game in left field. However, Hernandez has just a .230/.260/.284 line in 77 plate appearances. That isn't far from the .617 OPS he has posted in his six-year MLB career.

One Rangers source said that the team keeps coming back to Boston's Mike Lowell.  The same source indicated that Texas believes that they can basically get Lowell for the same player they agreed to deal over the winter, Max Ramirez.

Kevin Millar is also on the Rangers' watch list, though he may earn himself a bench spot with the Cubs.  Wes Helms of the Marlins and Fernando Tatis of the Mets could also fit the bill as corner infielders off of the bench.  Meanwhile, "super-utility" players like Houston's Geoff Blum and Kansas City's Willie Bloomquist are likely too rich for Texas' blood.

In other team news, McTaggart says the Astros hired Brad Arnsberg, formerly of the Blue Jays, as their new pitching coach.

It sounds like Wade will entertain the possibility of making a deal, but he first wants to see how prospect Chris Johnson and veteran Geoff Blum will respond to increased playing time.  Spring training has been rough on both guys thus far.  Johnson, 24, is hitting just .231 this spring with one dinger and six RBI.  Blum, 35, is batting .158 with no home runs and just three RBI in 32 at-bats.

"If we think there's a need at the end (of camp), there's going to be guys available," Wade said Wednesday. "I got a call today from a club that's got a guy that they want to make available so if we have the need. We know what Blum's capable of doing and we like what CJ's shown so far. We'll let them play and see what happens."

• Astros GM Ed Wade is "kicking the tires" on players to share time with Geoff Blum at third next year. It seems unlikely that they can afford Ty Wigginton.
• The Marlins haven’t yet inquired on Takashi Saito, a recent non-tender.
• It’s "very unlikely" though "not impossible" that Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez becomes a Yankee according to Tyler Kepner. He also thinks that the longer Andy Pettitte waits, the lower the chances are of a return to the Yankees.
• Adam Everett thinks the Tigers are a great fit for him. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said Everett’s in line to get most of the starts at shortstop.
• Felipe Lopez could be a positive for the D’Backs in spite of his questionable effort and unspectacular defense, writes Keith Law.
• Rob Neyer thinks that the Yankees "pretty obviously overpaid" for A.J. Burnett.
• Here’s a video clip of Bronx Banter authors and Anthony McCarron debating the pros and cons of the Burnett signing.
• Sarah D. Morris weighs in on the Dodgers’ offseason moves.
• Tony Massarotti ranks the five worst current pitching contracts.

• Cole Hamels feels that he handled his contract renewal last year immaturely.
• Over at The Hardball Times, Geoff Young looks at the best compensation picks of the 20th century.
• Geoff Blum’s ’09 option vests with one more plate appearance.
• Bronson Arroyo has a plan to make the Reds competitive.
• Matthew Cerrone explains Carlos Delgado’s ’09 option.
• Jeff Passan on the Cardinals’ brilliant signing of Ryan Ludwick.
• Baseball Prospectus profiles #26-50 on their list of players to build a team around.
• Twins reliever Brian Bass accepted a Triple A assignment, so he won’t become a free agent.
• MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo takes a preliminary look at the ’09 draft order.
• Jamey Newberg wonders if the Rangers could pry Scott Kazmir loose this winter.  It’s hard to see the Rays trading him.
• Susan Slusser expects the A’s to add an impact bat this winter, but free agent DHs Frank Thomas and Mike Sweeney will probably be let go.  In a related note, ESPN’s Buster Olney says the A’s had a chance earlier this year to acquire Jason Bay for a package including pitching prospect Vin Mazzaro.