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Eric Gagne says he's ready for the Dodgers season. "I will be ready for the start of the season, no doubt," he said in a phone interview late Thursday. Gagne also said he would love to sign a long-term deal with the Dodgers whenever they are ready." -- Los Angeles Times

The Indians, said a source, want Red Sox third base prospect Andy Marte just as much as the Red Sox want Coco Crisp. But being a small-market team, the Indians are afraid that if Mota winds up on the disabled list once, or even twice during the season, that would be way too much risk to assume for a player with a salary of $3 million and someone who the Indians want to pitch at least 70-80 innings next season. -- Boston Herald

In recounting his unplanned exit from the South Side new Oakland A's designated hitter Frank Thomas called the man who replaced him in Chicago, Jim Thome, a friend. Imagine what Thomas says about his enemies. "I love Jim. Jim's a good friend. But the bottom line is he's never done anything I haven't done on the baseball field." -- Chicago Tribune

Mets GM Omar Minaya said yesterday it is a "50-50" proposition as to whether Pedro Martinez's troublesome right big toe will allow him to participate in the World Baseball Classic. -- New York Daily News

The Yankees are officially out of the Mike Piazza chase, a certain disappointment to the former Mets catcher. But the Padres, whose locale appeals to the 37-year-old, remain very interested. According to a major-league official, Yankees GM Brian Cashman notified Piazza's agent Dan Lozano yesterday that the team would pass. -- Newsday

The Rockies won't land Brian Meadows, who narrowed his choices to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. "He's going in a different direction," confirmed agent Danny Horwits on Thursday. -- Denver Post

Although displaced Orioles catcher Javy Lopez appreciated meeting with team officials on Wednesday, his thoughts about the coming season haven't changed. He either wants a contract extension by mid-February or he wants to be traded to a place where he can catch more often, Lopez's agent, Chuck Berry, said yesterday. -- Baltimore Sun

We've all heard a lot from Kenny Rogers since his midsummer cameramen assault and December signing with the Tigers. But Tigers pitchers seem to have embraced the 41-year-old left-hander. Starters Jeremy Bonderman, Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson described him as "solid," "truly good" and "misunderstood" during the Tigers' winter promotional tour this week. -- Detroit Free Press

Reds interim GM Brad Kullman downplayed the Austin Kearns-to-Cleveland talk Thursday. Kullman said there are no ongoing talks with the Red Sox and Indians about Kearns. -- Cincinnati Enquirer

The Reds said Thursday that Minnesota assistant general manager Wayne Krivsky is now a candidate for their GM job. -- Cincinnati Enquirer

Astros slugger Lance Berkman could miss the start of spring training after undergoing arthroscopic surgery Thursday morning on his right knee. Berkman's recovery time is expected to take four to six weeks. -- Houston Chronicle

Tampa Bay team president Matt Silverman told a group of Tampa business leaders Thursday that there will be "some sort of a change" in the Devil Rays name. The club is looking at either dropping "Devil" from the name and calling the team the "Rays" or creating a completely new name, Silverman said, -- Tampa Tribune

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