There is definately more to the baseball hot stove talks than Johan Santana rumors. So with the winter meetings starting on Monday lets talk a whirl around the world of baseball and pull up a seat next to the ol’ hot stove and find out what’s happened or may possibly happen in the not so distant future.

Today the New York Mets apparently gave up on OF Lastings Milledge. You remember this kid, how could you forget him the Mets have only been pumping him up since 2004. In fact after the ’04 season when the Mets tried to make a deal for Red Sox OF Manny Ramirez it was Milledge’s name that came up the most. Today the Mets traded him to Washington for C Brian Schneider and OF Ryan Church. The Mets went from zero catchers to three in a little over a week as they added Johnny Estrada via a trade and re-signed free agent Ramon Castro, who was the back up last year to free agent Paul LoDuca. Expect one of those guys to get traded and soon and Boston may be a destination as they need someone to back up Jason Varitek.

It also looks as if the Nationals will bring back P Ray King who started the 2007 season in Washington before going to the Brewers. It reportedly is a minor league deal that will pay him $850,000 if he makes the team.

Free agent pitcher Kenny Rogers is returning to Detroit. Rogers you recall dumped his agent, Scott Boras, and has signed a one-year deal with the Tigers returning to the team for his 3rd season. Rogers, 43, got an $8 million incentive laden deal for what appears to be his final season on the bump.

Detroit also signed right handed pitcher Francisco Cruceta to a one-year deal and designated Timo Perez and Chris Shelton for assignment. The Tigers also added shortstop Edgar Renteria via a trade with Atlanta for P Jair Jurjiens. We all remember “Rent-a-Wreck’s” last foray into the American League. Are the BoSox still on the hook for some of his money still? If they are this has to be the last year.

Houston has reportedly signed free agent 2B Kaz Matsui to a 3 year/$15 million deal he replaces the retired Craig Biggio. Matsui has played for the Colorado Rockies and the New York Mets.

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent SS Cesar Izturis to a $2.85 million one year contract. It’s apparently a sign that they are foregoing any effort to re-sign SS David Eckstein. The Cardinals have to decide by Saturday whether to offer arbitration to Eckstein, who has filed for free agency. The two sides were not close in negotiations and general manager John Mozeliak, who said the Cardinals would “probably” cut ties with Eckstein, wanted to make sure a replacement was in place. Izturis split last season with the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.

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The latest episode of “As the Santana Turns”, we found out that the Yankees may have offered up Phillip Hughes in their talks with the Minnesota Twins. Other than that there’s nothing new to report on that front still.

Theo Epstein held a conference call with the media today before he embarks on his trip to the Winter Meetings. Among other things, he said the Red Sox will have some news on the arbitration front and that talks about an extension for Terry Francona have begun but are in the early stages.

“We have nothing to announce,” he said. “Nothing imminent. We’re going to keep on working right up until the meetings, but if I had to guess I would say probably nothing to announce before the meetings.”

“Just because we’re focused on those two elements of the club doesn’t mean we’re not going to look at other opportunities to get better,” he said. “We’ll see if anything presents itself and we’ll be aggressive as we usually are . . . We’re pleased with the position we are in. We think we have a really nice mix of veterans and young players at the big-league level, and another wave or two of talented young players coming through our farm system who should make an impact.”

It’s being reported that Mike Timlin and the Red Sox have agreed on a 1-year deal, which means another core player is back for next season. So on this breezy morning in New England, let’s take a look at the headlines.

No news to report — yet! [ProJo SoxBlog]

Trade of Santana to Sox is not close [Boston Globe]

Loss of a cornerstone can have a big upside [Star Tribune]

Twin suitors [Boston Herald]

New York Yankees reportedly leaning toward offering Phil Hughes to Minnesota Twins as part of deal for Johan Santana [Pioneer Press]

Deal for Santana may be done soon [Pro Jo]

Shadow of Himself [Pro Jo]

Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce had 18 of his 27 points in the first quarter as the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 95-85 in front of 20,022 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami on Friday night.

The NBA’s top team had run out to a 28 point lead and almost saw it get wasted away before holding on for their 13th win against two losses. Miami drops to 4-11.

The win was the Celtics 4th in a row and comes at the back end of a home/road back-to-back.

The Green were led by Pierce who added 7 rebounds, Kevin Garnett had 23 points and 9 boards, while the Heat were paced by Jason Richardson who had 22 points off the bench. The Celtics held Dwayne Wade to 10 points and Shaquille O’Neal to 13.

Tennis star and Canon pitchwoman Maria Sharapova was at the game.

The Celtics are off until Sunday afternoon when the host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 12:30 p.m.

Yesterday, I posted about how I thought Randy Edsall probably wouldn’t interview for the Georgia Tech open head coach job but then saw that he indeed had flown to Atlanta to interview. Well Edsall was back on campus today for practice and according to Chip Malafronte of the New Haven Register, Edsall spoke with his players but didn’t say whether or not he was staying or going.

Randy Edsall met with the team before practice to address the Georgia Tech situation. Despite message board rumors stating otherwise, sources with knowlegde of the situation said Edsall never definitively told his team he was staying at UConn. Edsall is meeting with recruits tonight, and has not returned phone messages.

According to an AP article, Edsall might be the top candidate on the wish list of the Yellow Jackets:

Randy Edsall has led Connecticut to a 9-3 season and a bid to the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

It’d be intriguing — and perhaps convenient — if Georgia Tech were a surprise selection as the Atlantic Coast Conference representative to face the Huskies. Edsall, a former Georgia Tech assistant, might just be the Yellow Jackets’ next coach.

With UConn not being a major football program, I am not sure of the candidates who would replace Edsall as coach of the Huskies. My guess would be it would be a hot coach from a mid-major conference who is looking to coach at a BCS school. Yes UConn is a BCS school being in the Big East. I did pose that question to Chip and hopefully he has some ideas about who could replace him.

In regards to recruiting, I fully expect that a decision will be made quickly as this is a key time where the head coaches can meet with recruits before the signing period in February.

Things have been quiet on the Red Sox front as far as their role in the Johan Santana trade talks with the Twins go. However, it seems as though the Yankees may have upped the ante in their pursuit of the Venezuelan.

After two days of internal discussions among front-office executives, the Yankees swallowed hard Friday and decided to offer Phil Hughes to the Twins as part of the trade package they hope will land them Johan Santana.

“We’re going for it,” was the way one club source put it.

Based on their talks with Twins GM Bill Smith, the Yankees knew they couldn’t make a deal for Santana without including Hughes, their 21-year-old righthander widely regarded as a potential staff ace.

In any case, the club finally agreed to put Hughes in a package that includes center fielder Melky Cabrera and at least one other lesser pitching prospect still to be negotiated, as of Friday night. And by doing so they believe they are the front-runners to land Santana, the two-time Cy Young winner.

If this report is true, the Yankees are definitely the front-runners for him and would essentially force the Red Sox to include Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury in the deal. Then again, the Twins could still like the Red Sox package better.

My best guess is that Santana is moved by the end of the Winter Meetings next week if not sooner.

This Week

The New England Patriots visit the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore MD. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. This is the Patriots third consecutive primetime game, it is New England’s 2nd Monday Night Football appearance of the season.

The Patriots are 6-0 on the road this season, 2-0 against the AFC North and 8-0 against the AFC. The Ravens are 3-2 at home, 1-1 against the AFC East and 1-7 in the conference in 2007.

Here are the rosters for the Patriots and Ravens.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo Sports is Patriots -20. The over/under is 50.5.

My prediction is Patriots 35, Ravens, 10. Give the points and take the under. I am 9-2 against the spread and have called the over/under nine out of eleven times in 2007.

Tickets

The Ravens are reporting the game as a sell out.

Tickets to the game, if available, may be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here. Many times tickets are released in the last 48 hours prior to the game.

Getting To The Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Baltimore make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast for the game from Accu Weather.

Click for stadium directions and parking information, fan guide and stadium information and a M&T Bank Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgaiting America. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good and for good measure here is one of my own.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

ESPN is televising the game, it is a national broadcast. The play-by-play duties will be handled by Mike Tirico with Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser doing game analysis.

Radio

The Patriots Rock Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBCN-FM 104.1 in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color.

It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Scott Zolak and Andy Gresch and the pregame show at 5 p.m. along the network.

The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours.

Check this out for the low down on the Patriots Rock Radio Network and stations in your area.

If you are outside of the broadcast area of the stations on the Patriots Rock Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass which allows you to listen to any NFL game live. You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

All NFL games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio. The Patriots radio call is available on Channel 126, the Ravens radio call is available on Channel 123.

The game will also be broadcast nationally by Westwood One. Marv Albert and Boomer Esiason will call the game. Find a Westwood One station near you.

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In our last episode of “As The Santana Turns”, we found out that the Red Sox and Twins are working on the framework of a deal that would bring Johan Santana to the Sox for a package of Coco Crisp, Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden.

The only thing I can tell you right now from all the reading I have done is that nothing has changed since our last episode. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing other than you have to figure the two sides are talking as well as the Twins talking with other teams. One thing I know is that the Yankees do not want to part with Phillip Hughes.

There is one thing we all have to keep in mind. Even if the Red Sox and Twins agree to the parameters of a deal, that doesn’t mean it’s going to get done. Santana has a full no-trade clause that kicked in when he won the Cy Young in 2006. Obviously, Santana isn’t going to waive that clause without a contract extension that makes him the highest paid pitcher in the game. So now we wait and see what today brings us.

The Red Sox announced on Thursday that tickets will go on sale for their home spring training games will go on sale December 15th even though the spring training schedule hasn’t been released yet. The Red Sox will hopefully release that schedule next week sometime. The tickets will be on sale on redsox.com and also at the box office in Ft. Myers.

Trade only half of Santana situation [Boston Herald]

Red Sox spring tickets go on sale Dec. 15 [The News-Press]

Sox, Twins make some pitches [Boston Globe]

Rivals jockey for Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana [Pioneer Press]

Attention turns back to Santana [Star Tribune]

Make the Deal [ProJo SoxBlog]

Red Sox Print Sale [Boston Globe]

Written by Steve Hofstetter, Keith Alberstadt, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Elliot Steingart, and Chris Strait

Two workers at the Mets’ forthcoming Citi Park were injured on the job thanks to unsafe conditions. What they thought was a safety net turned out to just be a seven game lead.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will finally have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade. The float will probably run out gas halfway through.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban has been criticized for comparing his defeat at the hands of Louisiana-Monroe to Pearl Harbor. The only thing that should be compared to the tragedy of Pearl Harbor is the movie Pearl Harbor.

Rams QB Marc Bulger suffered a concussion. His condition worsened when he was reminded that he plays for the Rams.

Ricky Williams has put a book on his life story on hold. Problems arose when Williams kept rolling the manuscript.

Japanese gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi will wear a pair of shoes made of rice husks while running in Bejing. Noguchi hopes her rice shoes will help cool her feet while also reaffirming stereotypes. To combat this advantage, Ethiopia will be providing its runners with forks.

The NBDL began its seventh season this week. No one knows why.

Isiah Thomas said he’s so confident that he won’t be fired, he’ll be groping a different employee each week.

And German pole-vaulter Yvonne Buschbaum will begin hormone treatment to become a man. Given the average physique of a German female athlete, treatment will be completed next Monday.

For more of the Sports Minute (Or So), visit minuteorso.com

With college basketball season now amongst us and in full swing we will be inundated by Dick Vitale, aka Dickie V. and everything from his diaper dandies, his prime time players (PTP’ers), the shouting and his commercials.

So it got me thinking if Dickie V. can push DiGiorno pizza, Hooters and other items what new product could he hawk this year.

Well meet Dickie V. new spokesman for one of those “male enhancement” ads you on late night TV.

The Boston Celtics destroyed an absolutely listless New York Knicks team at the TD BankNorth Boston Garden, 104-59. The 59 points are the second lowest total EVER for a Knicks team and the only reason they got that was Nate Robinson hit a 3 pointer from mid court at the final buzzer.

The members of the Big Three didn’t even play 30 minutes a piece as Paul Pierce had 21 points and 7 boards in 28 minutes, Ray Allen had 16 points in 28 minutes and Kevin Garnett had 8 points and 11 boards in 21 minutes. Off the bench Eddie House had 15 points and rookie Glenn Davis chipped in 13 points in a season high 31 minutes.

The Knicks, who possibly earned head coach Isaiah Thomas a trip to unemployment line by the weekend, were led by Nate Robertson who had 11 points and Richardson who had 7 as the New Yorkers were held to 10 third quarter points.

Boston’s James Posey took on the Celtics radio team of Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell when he jumped over the table trying to save a ball. To their credit they never stopped but Max bailed while Grande tried to catch Posey.

The Knicks wore their white home jerseys tonight as the Celtics chose to wear their alternate third uniform which is green trimmed heavily in black with white highlights.

When the Celtics took a 50 point lead at 93-43 a Knicks fan ran up and threw his team jersey on the court.

The loss drops the Knicks to 4-10 and they have lost 9 of their last 10 games and the Green improve to 12-2 as they head to Miami tonight to face Dwayne Wade and the Heat tomorrow evening.