• The Mariners released minor league catcher Ralph Henriquez in order to make room for 2012 No. 3 overall pick Mike Zunino on their Double-A roster, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times (on Twitter). The 25-year-old Henriquez was a second round pick by the Astros in 2005 but has just a .592 OPS in eight minor league seasons.
• The Rockies have signed 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Luis Castro for $50K, reports MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez (on Twitter). Castro had originally signed with the Blue Jays for $800K last month, but the contract was voided due to health concerns.
• The Angels have signed right-hander Tony Pena according to the MLB.com transactions page. The 30-year-old had Tommy John surgery last August, and has pitched to a 4.43 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 379 2/3 big league innings with the Diamondbacks and White Sox.
• The Rockies have signed right-hander Jeff Marquez, also according to MLB.com. The 28-year-old posted a 6.69 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 76 2/3 innings with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate this year. Marquez has four big league appearances to his credit, one with the White Sox (2010) and three with the Yankees (2011).

• The Diamondbacks are less likely to trade shortstop Stephen Drew now that they've removed Ryan Roberts from the roster, tweets Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com. GM Kevin Towers said there's no deal out there for Drew "that's going to make us better."
• The Orioles may not have a choice but to trade starter Jake Arrieta if they'd like to improve their Major League roster without dealing any of their prized prospects, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Baltimore has told potential trade partners that Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado are off the table, tweets Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• The Pirates made a bid to acquire Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, but talks hit a snag when Philly asked for right-hander Brad Lincoln, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
• The Pirates are "definitely going for it" and would like to acquire an outfielder or first baseman, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
• The Mariners have released minor league pitcher Jeff Marquez, tweets Triple-A Tacoma announcer Mike Curto. In his place, D.J. Mitchell, acquired from the Yankees in the Ichiro Suzuki trade, will start.

• The Mariners have signed right-hander Josh Kinney to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, reports MLB.com's Greg Johns (on Twitter). The 32-year-old allowed 13 runs in 17 2/3 innings for the White Sox last season, though he did strike out 20 and get a ground ball nearly 60% of the time. It was Kinney's first big league action since 2009.  The Mariners also announced ten other minor league signings: infielder Luis Rodriguez, righties Jeff Marquez, Matt Fox, Jarrett Grube, and Scott Patterson, lefties Steve Garrison, Sean Henn, and Philippe Valiquette, outfielder Darren Ford, and catcher Guillermo Quiroz.  Rodriguez, Marquez, Garrison, and Ford logged time in the Majors this year.
• The Royals announced that they signed right-hander Juan Gutierrez, left-hander Francisley Bueno, catcher Max Ramirez and outfielder Greg Golson to minor league deals. Golson appeared in nine games with the Yankees in 2011, but they released him last week. Ramirez didn't play in the Major Leagues in 2011, but he has MLB experience with the Rangers.
• The Diamondbacks have signed Jonathan Albaladejo, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links). The 29-year-old right-hander spent the 2011 season in Japan after posting a 4.15 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in four seasons with the Nationals and Yankees. The Mets were a finalist for Albaladejo.

• Pirates catcher Eric Fryer cleared waivers, according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. The 26-year-old had been designated for assignment last week. Fryer appeared in ten games for the 2011 Pirates, but has spent the vast majority of his five professional seasons in the minor leagues, where he has a .799 OPS.
• The Mariners signed infielder Luis Rodriguez to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Greg Johns. Seattle also signed right-handers Jarrett Grube and Jeff Marquez and left-hander Sean Henn to minor league deals. Rodriguez had been a non-tender candidate until the Mariners outrighted him off of their roster earlier this month.

• The Yankees have outrighted Jeff Marquez to Triple-A according to the International League transactions page. The 27-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the White Sox back in June, though he's currently on the disabled list and rehabbing a shoulder problem. Marquez has allowed three runs in five career big league innings, four coming with New York this season.

Marquez was drafted 41st overall by the Yankees in 2004 and was later traded to the White Sox as part of the Nick Swisher deal in November of 2008.  This year in nine Triple-A starts he posted a 3.97 ERA, 6.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 47 2/3 innings.

Marquez, selected 41st overall by the Yankees in 2004, was called up from Triple-A Charlotte last Monday, but didn't pitch for Chicago before being designated. The 26-year-old has appeared in just one big league game, allowing a two-run home run to Yuniesky Betancourt in his lone inning of work last July. This season, Marquez has made nine starts for Charlotte, recording a 3.97 ERA.

• Jeff Marquez of the White Sox cleared waivers and is headed for Triple-A, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter).
• Braves utility player Joe Mather cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter).
• The Phillies removed Matt Rizzotti from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to the minor leagues, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter).
• Mets lefty Pat Misch was outrighted to Triple-A, tweets Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger.  He's expected to accept the assignment.  Misch, 29, posted a 3.82 ERA, 5.5 K/9, 1.0 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, and 52.0% groundball rate in 37 2/3 innings for the Mets last year, tossing another 150 2/3 innings across 23 starts in Triple-A.
• Brewers outfielder Brandon Boggs was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  Boggs, 28, hit .290/.406/.470 in 439 Triple-A plate appearances last year while playing all three outfield positions.  He has until Wednesday to decide whether to accept the assignment or elect free agency, tweets Haudricourt.
• The Mariners outrighted southpaw Cesar Jimenez, tweets ESPN's Shannon Drayer.  Jimenez, 26, missed most of the 2010 season recovering from labrum surgery.

Marquez, 26, came to the White Sox along with Wilson Betemit and Jhonny Nunez in exchange for Nick Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira. two years ago. A supplemental round pick by the Yankees in the 2004 draft, Marquez has seen just one Major League inning.

His minor league numbers have been respectable, though not particularly impressive; he's managed a 4.15 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 over 751 minor league innings. 

Guillen said catcher A.J. Pierzynski will remain the No. 2 hitter in the lineup, according to Gonzales. Guillen also said Pierzynski will remain the primary catcher, which curbs suggestions that the Sox will go after free agent Ivan Rodriguez.

Guillen also reiterated what pitching coach Don Cooper has stated: Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Bartolo Colon (if healthy) will man the first four rotation spots.

Indications are that prized left-hander Aaron Poreda has an excellent shot at making the Opening Day roster, even if he doesn’t beat out Clayton Richard or Jeff Marquez for the fifth starter’s spot, Gonzales writes.

Guillen told Gonzales that he expects Wilson Betemit to be capable of playing all four infield positions. That, and outside Jim Thome, the White Sox do not have a true backup first baseman for Paul Konerko.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com was also there. He notes that minor league director Buddy Bell said Beckham has the ability to play any position.

5:30pm: Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that 2008 No. 1 pick Gordon Beckham will likely need to change positions.

Guillen expects Alexei Ramirez to be the team’s shortstop for the foreseeable future.

Ramirez, 27, hit .290/.317/.475 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI in 136 games in 2008 — his first year in the Major Leagues.

Of those 136 games, Ramirez spent time at second base (121 games) and at shortstop (16).

• Some of the more interesting position battles mentioned: 1B/DH/RF in Oakland (Daric Barton, Jack Cust, Jason Giambi, Aaron Cunningham, and Travis Buck all in the mix), Tampa’s closer if Troy Percival gets hurt or falters (Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour), and the White Sox rotation behind John Danks, Mark Buerhle, and Gavin Floyd (Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Bartolo Colon, Jeff Marquez).
• Brian Roberts still wants a four-year deal before Spring Training starts up, or he’ll cut off negotiations. Does Roberts make more sense as a cornerstone in Baltimore or as a trade chip?
• Perrotto feels Tom Glavine will inevitably re-sign with the Braves.
• The White Sox have minor interest in signing Ivan Rodriguez as a backup for A.J. Pierzynski. I’m sure Pudge would prefer a starting gig, but at this point, it’s tough to be picky.
• We’ve heard a lot about the Orioles having interest in Rich Hill lately, but Perrotto reminds us that the Mariners are interested in the 28-year-old lefty as well.

2:54pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees also get pitcher Kanekoa Texeira from Chicago.

2:41pm: According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Yankees acquired Nick Swisher from the White Sox for minor league pitcher Jeff Marquez.  It’s not yet known if other players are involved.

Swisher, 28 this month, hit .219/.332/.410 in 588 plate appearances this year.  He’s set to earn $5.3MM in ’09, $6.75MM in ’10, $9MM in ’11, and has a $10.25MM club option for ’12 with a $1MM buyout.  So, about $22MM over the next three years.  River Ave. Blues loves the flexibility for the Yanks.

UPDATE, 1-2-08 at 4:19pm: LEN3 adds that the Mariners are not in the running for Johan.  Coupled with the info below it seems to be between the Mets and Red Sox currently.

FROM 1-2-08 at 1:21pm:

Peter Abraham had a note this morning about Johan Santana.  He says "there are no indications the Yankees will suddenly get back into the mix for Santana."  Abraham notes that the main issue for the Yanks remains the massive extension they’d have to give Santana.

Back on December 28th Joel Sherman said the Yanks had "become more entrenched in their unwillingness to pay the price both in prospects and dollars."  He noted that they were reluctant to hand over Phil Hughes or $130MM to Johan.

On the 27th, Jayson Stark said the Yankees last offer was Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez, and an undetermined fourth player, but the proposal was off the table.  Stark believed that Hank Steinbrenner could still decide to re-engage the Santana talks though.

Marquez is a 23 year-old Double A righty who probably does not fall within the Yankees’ top ten prospects.  He seems a more reasonable demand than Kennedy.  About three weeks ago, Bill Madden said the Yanks could’ve acquired Santana for Hughes, Cabrera, Marquez, and Mitch Hilligoss but bailed out for financial reasons.

Anyway, Chass adds that the Yanks would be hit by luxury tax if they acquired and extended Santana.  For example, a five-year, $100MM deal would result in a constant $7.5MM annually in luxury tax.  This does not seem to bother the Yankees.

Nick Cafardo wrote a few days ago that the Red Sox are standing pat with an offer of Coco Crisp, Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, and Jed Lowrie for Santana.  For what it’s worth, David Ortiz doesn’t think the Sox will get Johan.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:21pm: LENIII checks in on the interest level of the six teams involved.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:05pm: Santana’s agent, Peter Greenberg, indicated that the Mets are in the running for Santana.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:48pm: BP’s John Perrotto talked to a Twins official, and it definitely looks like the Meetings will end without a Johan deal.  Perrotto says he’s still likely to be dealt before Spring Training.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:18pm: Ken Rosenthal believes the door is open for more teams to jump in, especially the Mariners.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:43pm: Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are trying to work their way back into the mix.  They’re still viewed as a longshot without Jose Reyes in the offer, but at least the Twins are listening.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:21pm: The Red Sox and Twins are still engaged in talks.  The Sox are still considering the Yankees a factor.  And no, Ellsbury signing on with Boras doesn’t change the Twins’ opinion of him.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 11:26am: Joel Sherman describes Boston’s two goals in the Santana Sweepstakes.  He wonders whether the Sox and Twins could reach an accord on players and then the Red Sox wouldn’t be able to agree with Santana on an extension.  Meanwhile Gammons himself reiterates that he senses the Twins will hold onto Santana.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:54am: Peter Gammons via Amy Nelson is saying Santana may not be traded.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:56am: According to Keith Law via MetsBlog, the Twins have reached out to the Mets, Dodgers, and Angels to revisit Santana talks.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:43am: Joel Sherman agrees with Bill Madden’s take below – part of the reason the Yankees pulled out is that even they have a payroll.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 8:30am: The Yankees could’ve had Santana for Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez, and Mitch Hilligoss.  Brian Cashman, however, never wanted to sacrifice Hughes for Santana and convinced his bosses that the Yankees couldn’t afford him now that Andy Pettitte is in the fold.  This near-trade won’t be forgotten by Yankees fans, unless Hughes takes off in ’08.

FROM 12-5-07 at 12:55am:

Time for a fresh Johan thread.  Yesterday’s had 297 comments on it.

The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford says the Red Sox told Ryan Kalish’s agent that his name has never come up in the Santana talks with Minnesota.  Peter Gammons had said the 19 year-old outfielder was added to the deal to make it a 5-for-1 around 3pm yesterday.