• Bobby Valentine told Jack Curry of the YES Network that he doesn't think the Mariners are "a fit" for him (Twitter link). Seattle has a managerial opening and some have suggested that Valentine could be a target for the Mariners.
• Orioles manager Buck Showalter told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he would be shocked if former Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu had trouble finding a job.
• The Mariners signed former big leaguer Tug Hulett and assigned him to Triple A, according to the transactions page for the Pacific Coast League. Hulett, now 27, appeared in 15 games for the Royals last year.
• The Rangers are considering free agent Alex Cora, though they have not offered the infielder a deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
• The Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League signed former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee, according to the AP (via CBSSports.com). Lee, who last faced a major league hitter in 1982, is now 63 years old!
• The Astros announced that an arbitration panel decided that the team was within its rights to terminate Shawn Chacon’s contract without pay after the pitcher's physical confrontation with GM Ed Wade in 2008.

12:24am: MLBTR has learned tonight that pitcher Shawn Chacon signed a minor league deal with the A's.  Pitching for the independent league Newark Bears, the 31 year-old Chacon posted a 4.29 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 16 walks in 42 innings this year.  The Astros released him about a year ago after he threw the team's GM, Ed Wade, to the ground in a clubhouse altercation.

• Jason Giambi maintains hopes of returning to the Yankees; he may be willing to take a discount.
• Dave Cameron believes the Rays won the Edwin Jackson–Matt Joyce swap, handily.
• Brett Saberhagen was hired as an agent for Dan Evans’ firm.  He’ll focus on pitchers.
• Shawn Chacon’s agent is trying to find his client a job.  Troy Renck also notes that the Rockies’ offer to Glendon Rusch is a $750K minor league deal.
• Kevin Kaduk relays his first Winter Meetings experience.

• The Pirates wanted Franklin Morales, Esmil Rogers, and Chris Nelson for Ian Snell.  Can’t blame ’em for asking.
• Last winter, the A’s asked for Ubaldo Jimenez in a deal for Dan Haren.  As good as Haren’s been, the Rockies still have to be happy they passed.
• Renck doesn’t see the Rox picking up Shawn Chacon – reportedly he has not been working out over the past month.
• Renck reveals that Todd Helton asked the Rockies upon signing his megadeal that money not be deferred.  Nonetheless it’d be an intriguing way to free up cash to use on Matt Holliday.  Renck feels the Rockies might offer Holliday five years, while he’ll seek seven.

• Fresh Jason Bay rumors: the D’Backs and Cardinals are in pursuit.  The Mets and Rays have kicked the tires as well.  Heyman believes the Pirates want Emilio Bonifacio from the D’Backs, and maybe Colby Rasmus from the Cards.  At any rate, the price will be steep with Bay signed for ’09.
• Juan Rivera is a "surprise target" of the Mets, though they’ve had interest in him since March.  Rivera will be hard to acquire, though, because he’s gaining playing time for the Angels.
• Heyman believes Shawn Chacon will win his grievance and get paid his full salary.

• Interesting news out of Philly…Brett Myers accepted a minor league assignment.  The Phils seem likely to acquire a starter this month.
• That was quick – the Mets designated Andy Phillips for assignment.
• Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released without pay, but the players’ association plans to file a grievance.  It’s a matter of a million bucks.
• The Phillies signed first-round pick Anthony Hewitt, a high school infielder.  He’ll get about $1.4MM.
• The Cards officially inked top pick Brett Wallace, a college third baseman.
• Three scouts watched Reds reliever David Weathers last night.  Just throwing it out there, the Marlins are looking for a righthanded reliever.
• NPB Tracker discusses Yu Darvish.
• The Reds offered Ken Griffey Jr. to the Mariners, and they declined.
• Tom Verducci’s article about Tim Lincecum and pitching biomechanics is a must-read.

• Jon Heyman came up with a list of 19 pitchers that could be made available prior to the trade deadline. He also presents a list of 12 candidates that the Mariners may consider for their vacant GM position.
• The Brewers’ assistant GM indicated the team would like to add a starting pitcher to give the pitching staff more depth.
• Ken Williams says that he is happy with the White Sox’ roster and has not assigned scouts to specific players on other teams that could be available.
• Richard Justice says that the Astros will not ship off veterans before the trade deadline, but also notes that they might not be able to even if they wanted to be active sellers.
• Rich Harden struck out 11 in eight shutout innings in front of a number of scouts two nights ago.  Also at this link, Joe Blanton and Chad Gaudin have heard trade rumors about themselves.  Gaudin is "convinced that he’s going to be traded."
• Derek Jeter vouched for Shawn Chacon’s character.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex and can be reached here.  Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.

• The Padres haven’t finalized the deal with top pick Allan Dykstra due to concerns with his physical.
• Sorry Pirates fans, but the team does not have interest in bringing back Shawn Chacon.
• David Lennon believes Omar Minaya’s job is safe.  Minaya could seek an extension after the season (he’s signed through ’09).
• In a non-subscriber article, Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan gives his take on whether certain teams should be buyers or sellers.
• Saberscouting gives a scouting report on Michel Inoa.
• Henry Schulman asks C.C. Sabathia whether San Francisco will be on his list.
• A case for the Braves to sign Barry Bonds.
• Sam Mellinger continues his look at Dayton Moore’s work in Kansas City.
• Theo Epstein expects Red Sox execs Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer to become GMs soon.

WEDNESDAY, 10:21pm: An explanation for the suspension has come out.  Chacon had an altercation with GM Ed Wade, throwing him to the floor at one point.  What little trade value Chacon might have had is gone now.

8:01pm: It was only a matter of time.  Shawn Chacon, unhappy with his bullpen demotion, has asked the Astros for a trade.  He says he signed to be a starter and turned down more money to relieve for other teams.  Chacon would like to be released if the Astros can’t trade him.  The ’Stros reacted by suspending him.

Teams probably won’t be champing at the bit to add Chacon, who was predictably lousy in 15 starts.   

• I’ll be on XM Radio today at about 5pm CST – channels 176-189 with Mike Ferrin.
• The Dodgers signed Jerome Williams – remember him?
• Viva El Birdos runs through starting pitchers who might be on the Cardinals’ radar.
• Sam Mellinger of the KC Star takes a look at Dayton Moore’s trade record.  Meanwhile, Joe Posnanski explains why the Royals should sign Barry Bonds.
• Ken Rosenthal doesn’t want to let Ed Wade off the hook in the Shawn Chacon dustup.
• Red Reporter thinks the Reds are winning the Edinson Volquez–Josh Hamilton swap.
• Rangers first base prospect Chris Davis is getting the call.
• Russell Branyan has been training his eyes.
• "Unsubstantiated report" – the Phillies might have interest in recently-designated reliever Vinnie Chulk.
• Mariners beat writer Geoff Baker expects the team to shop Ichiro.
• Buster Olney sees the Rays as a sleeper in the C.C. Sabathia derby.
• Omar Minaya defends the Luis Castillo signing.

• Jacque Jones has elected free agency.  Does he have anything left?
• Derek Lowe, Scott Boras, Ned Colletti, and Joe Torre had some kind of cryptic meeting.
• Draft nugget: the D’Backs were eyeing Allan Dykstra as their first-round pick until the Padres took him.
• Jason Rosenberg interviewed agent Matt Sosnick.
• Bronson Arroyo commented on the recent trade rumors.  I think this rumor, in particular.
• Shawn Chacon, demoted to the pen, is not a happy camper.
• Koji Uehara is also going to the bullpen.
• Brandon Webb was affected by his contract negotiations.
• ESPN’s Keith Law joined the Drunk Jays Fans podcast to chat about the recent turmoil in Toronto.
• Joe Saunders, originally drafted by the Phillies, had a bad experience (as he tells it).

MONDAY, 9:55pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Astros are close to a one-year deal with Shawn Chacon.  He’d join the team’s rotation.

I like the idea of adding some depth.  But is depth really added if the pitcher posts a 5.50 ERA?  Chacon has been over that mark as a starter in ’06 and ’07.  The Astros hope Chacon can find his Yankees’ magic of ’05, when he posted a 3.44 ERA in 24 starts despite a 1.25 K/BB ratio.  On the plus side, Chacon was legitimately solid as a reliever in ’07 and can be shifted to the pen if necessary.

MONDAY, 9:55pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Astros are close to a one-year deal with Shawn Chacon.  He’d join the team’s rotation.

I like the idea of adding some depth.  But is depth really added if the pitcher posts a 5.50 ERA?  Chacon has been over that mark as a starter in ’06 and ’07.  The Astros hope Chacon can find his Yankees’ magic of ’05, when he posted a 3.44 ERA in 24 starts despite a 1.25 K/BB ratio.  On the plus side, Chacon was legitimately solid as a reliever in ’07 and can be shifted to the pen if necessary.