6:50 p.m. Eastern
-Catcher Chris Coste told local Pennsylvania sportscaster Leslie Gudel that he has signed with the Mets. What this means regarding the team’s pursuit of Henry Blanco is yet to be seen.
-The Pirates have interest in Justin Duchscherer, says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
6 p.m. Eastern
-Fox Sports reports that the Mets have resigned IF Alex Cora to a one year deal worth $2 million with a vesting option for a second year and are also close to signing Henry Blanco as a backup, which means Brian Schneider’s days with the club are over. An interesting outlook one NL executive told Fox is that the Red Sox could sign Miguel Tejada to a two-year contract to play SS in 2010 and then take over at third base in 2011 after Mike Lowell’s contract expires.
-The Cardinals have signed IF Ruben Gotay today in addition to Jason LaRue, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
12:15 p.m. Eastern
-The Marlins told the Red Sox weeks ago that Hanley Ramirez was not available, Jon Heyman says.
-From Buster Olney: “Heard this: Matsui’s attraction as a marketable asset is no factor for the Yankees. It is about getting the right player at the right price.”
11:50 a.m. Eastern
-A lot of good information from MLB.com’s TR Sullivan. The Rangers asked about Josh Johnson and the Marlins said he was not available. There was no contact with Florida about Dan Uggla and Texas is denying that they contacted Marco Scutaro to play 3B, where Michael Young plays, even though Scutaro said they did. Jermaine Dye is on the team’s wish list, but Sullivan thinks he’ll end up on the Giants. The Brewers are interested in Kevin Millwood, but the team doesn’t seem inclined to move him.
-St. Louis Cardinals have resigned backup C Jason LaRue to a one year deal, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
9:55 a.m. Eastern
-Jon Heyman confirms Derek Jeter is the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
-The Red Sox may be inclined to sign Matt Holliday over Jason Bay and get Marco Scutaro and have the same number of first and second round picks in next year’s draft, an executive told Fox Sports. The chances of the Mets signing Bay seem slim. The Yankees, Cardinals and Mariners could provide competition regarding Holliday. The Braves and White Sox are interested in Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs but are likely to keep him without an excellent offer.
-Marlins GM Michael Hill said that Josh Johnson will be back with the team next season, says MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Hanley Ramirez isn’t going anywhere, Boston or otherwise, says Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald via Twitter. 
-The Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and Rangers have shown interest in Marco Scutaro, says Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Boston wants Scutaro at SS, Dodgers as a 2B and the Mariners as a 3B. Toronto will offer him arbitration so they’ll get a first round pick when he leaves.
-Hideki Okajima wants to negotiate a new contract with Boston for more money, according to NPB Tracker. Okajima is under team control through 2012.