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	Although rumors are swirling around Oakland, GM Billy Beane is not certain he wil trade Barry Zito. Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

A's general manager Billy Beane strongly warned not to assume Barry Zito's a goner, even though he can become a free agent after the 2006 season, likely at a price the A's will not be able to afford. That Esteban Loaiza will earn roughly what Zito is due to make in 2006 lends more speculation for a swap-out. But Beane maintained a second shoe isn't predestined to drop.
-- Oakland Tribune

Barry Bonds has agreed to play for the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic, adding instant credibility to the inaugural event and perhaps also giving the Giants some cause for concern. Agent Jeff Borris confirmed that Bonds has told the Players' Association that he intends to participate.
-- Oakland Tribune

On his first day as New York Mets closer, Billy Wagner came out throwing heat at his old team. He trashed the Phillies' commitment to winning, wondered about their plan for this season, and said he'd likely still be with the club if it had been willing to give him a three-year, $24 million contract in July.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

Braves free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal is leaning toward signing with the Chicago Cubs. A source familiar with negotiations said Furcal received a five-year offer from the Cubs that was significantly greater than he was offered by the Braves, in dollars and contract length. The race for Furcal is down to two or three teams -- Braves, Cubs and possibly the Los Angeles Dodgers -- with a decision expected within a few days.
-- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Knowing there was a possibility they'd lose Rafael Furcal, the Braves began exploring other options after the season ended. Tampa Bay shortstop Julio Lugo is high on their list of possible replacements.
-- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko rejected the Orioles' latest contract offer, a five-year deal worth $65 million, a move that threatens to end the club's courtship of the free-agent first baseman. The Orioles are believed to have made the most lucrative offer to Konerko.
-- Baltimore Sun

The Angels' courtship of Paul Konerko continued Tuesday, with the free-agent slugger spending much of Tuesday afternoon in Angel Stadium meeting with Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Bill Stoneman and touring the team's facilities. The Angels' offer to Konerko is believed to be in the five-year, $60-million range, a bump from their initial offer of four years and about $48 million, and it appears their only competition for the first baseman will come from the Chicago White Sox.
-- Los Angeles Times

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