Extra Base Hit: Whispers from around the majors

With the blockbuster deal completed between the Phillies, Mariners, Blue Jays and the last minute Athletics, other teams are now moving on to the next step for their clubs after these 4 just made a major splash.  With Christmas approaching quickly, players such as Jason Bay and Matt Holliday will be making decisions real soon on their next destination.  Here are some whispers from around the league:

The Orioles are spending as they have signed former Braves P Mike Gonzalez to a reported 2-year / $12M deal and signed 3B Garrett Atkins to a 1-year deal after he was non-tendered by the Rockies

The Red Sox have wanted 1B Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres for a while now and they might be getting closer

If the Padres do trade Gonzalez, they will have a team payroll under $20M for 2010 after such a trade.  They lost Peavy off the books and the highest paid player for next season would be P Chris Young at $6.375M.  After him, only a handful of players (Correia, Eckstein, Bell) will make a million or more.

The Pirates are looking at 2B Kelly Johnson according to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

According to reports, the Dodgers and Reds are discussing an Aaron Harang deal after the Dodgers failed to trade for Halladay

Mariners GM went to meetings looking to sign Rich Harden, but talked about Lee at that time

Matt Holliday is being linked to the Mets, Cardinals and Orioles

Jason Bay will probably be an Angel or Met very soon

The Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott looks at the 3 prospects the Jays acquired

Over 180 free agents are still on the market, Extra Base Hit will be reviewing these players in the next post.