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	The Yankees and Red Sox are looking at other center-field options besides signing Johnny Damon. Damian Strohmeyer/SI

The Yankees are talking to agent Scott Boras but refuse to offer 32-year-old Johnny Damon the seven-year deal Boras is seeking. The Red Sox, Damon's former team, are in the mix but have formulated a backup plan that includes getting Jeremy Reed from Seattle for pitcher Matt Clement. The Yankees' backup plan is to play Bubba Crosby.
-- New York Post

Take two more names off the list of available center fielders for the Yankees. Yesterday's trade of Milton Bradley from the Dodgers to the A's for minor leaguer Andre Ethier removed Bradley and the A's Mark Kotsay from the trading block. The A's are planning to play Bradley in right field and keep Kotsay in center.
-- New York Post

The Yankees aren't thrilled that Derek Jeter (USA) and A-Rod (likely Dominican Republic) will be participating in the World Baseball Classic, but the Bombers appear to have greater concern about a lower-profile player who may be taking part: Chien-Ming Wang.
-- New York Daily News

Two teams recently linked to Kris Benson apparently are setting their sights elsewhere, but other clubs continue to call the Mets about the right-hander. The Diamondbacks have no interest and the Royals are pursuing other options.
-- New York Post

Free-agent reliever Julian Tavarez could command a four-year contract, and industry scuttlebutt is the Mets won't hesitate to make that commitment.
-- New York Daily News

Alfonso Soriano's reluctance to play the outfield creates an issue that threatens to hang over the entire winter. One Nationals player, who requested anonymity because the issue is already sensitive, said, "This could be a big mess in spring training."
-- Washington Post

Free agent Alex Gonzalez, who played for the Marlins last year, remains high on the Red Sox' replacement list for shortstop Edgar Renteria.
-- Boston Herald

Los Angeles does not believe its chances of completing a deal for Johnny Damon are that good, largely because the team believes that he wishes to re-sign with the Red Sox. Also, the team feels some reluctance to deal with Damon's agent, Scott Boras.
-- Boston Herald

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti indicated he might be close to acquiring another outfielder. Among the free agents in whom he is believed to be interested is veteran center fielder Kenny Lofton, viewed as a short-term replacement for Milton Bradley.
-- MLB.com

An escalating free-agent market for pitchers could result in Jon Garland or Jose Contreras becoming too expensive for the World Series champion White Sox. The impasse led to the White Sox trading for Javier Vazquez.
-- Chicago Tribune

The Astros met with free-agent outfielder Rondell White and expressed interest in two-time American League batting champion Nomar Garciaparra.
-- Houston Chronicle

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