MVN: Most Valuable Network

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League.  Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week:

• Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia -- the L.A. Angels "shell game" continues.
  The Angels haven't made an offer to Mark Teixeira even though they want him but have floated the idea of offering big money to CC Sabathia -- even though it might be tough to match the Yankees' gigantic offer -- and Teixeira's side has countered.  Teixeira's agent Scott Boras revealed that Teixeira has had offers worth considering.  All of the peripheral talk from the Angels about Sabathia as an alternative target and Teixeira's interest from other clubs stems from a difference in years of service the club is looking to give Teixeira and the 10 years that the slugger is seeking.  You got to love the Hot Stove posturing, don't you?
• Brian Fuentes wants major cash and K-Rod doesn't want to talk until the Winter Meetings... the Mets are no closer to a closer.
  The Mets are ready to get going with filling their needs and the most glaring one is the anchor of the bullpen, the closer.  Unfortunately, their two biggest targets aren't cooperating.  First, Francisco Rodriguez made it clear that he is not looking to negotiate until the Winter Meetings begin on December 8.  Then, GM Omar Minaya was shocked to hear Brian Fuentes and his desire for a contract in the $10-$11 million per year range.
• Don't count the Blue Jays out of the running for A.J. Burnett... but don't count on them spending the money either.
  When running down the list of suitors for A.J. Burnett's services, the Toronto Blue Jays look like a long shot.  Don't tell the Jays that.  Interim CEO Paul Beeston revealed that he met with Burnett along with GM J.P. Ricciardi at Burnett's home.  After the discussion, both parties walked away convinced they had a shot at landing Burnett.  On the other hand, if the Blue Jays fail to re-sign Burnett, it is not guaranteed the club will spend the payroll they were willing to spend on Burnett on other players to improve the team.  It might be Burnett or nothing.
• Nine teams are "interested" in Junior Griffey but no one knows who.
  If the Seattle Mariners are after Ken Griffey Jr., there's nothing in the rumor mill to support it.  The intriguing information about Griffey is that a reported nine teams are interested in Griffey's services or 30% of all Major League teams.  None of the nine teams have been leaked and like all rumors this one could be created just to earn Junior a little extra attention but it's hard to imagine that is the case in this situation.
• Jake Peavy may not need a change of address form after all.
  First, the Braves dropped out of the running for Jake Peavy's services via a trade with the San Diego Padres after leading the list of suitors the Padres were willing to deal with.  Now, the Cubs have gone lukewarm on the idea of trading away young talent to earn the rights to Peavy.  Neither the Braves nor the Cubs have met the Padres offer price and now both are exploring other avenues.  With each passing day, Peavy is closer to a return to San Diego.
• Rafael Furcal might end up in the Bay Area but not yet.
  Early this week, Rafael Furcal was signed, sealed, delivered to Oakland... then the reports were refuted.  Now, the alternate report about Furcal and the Athletics is Furcal is visiting the Bay Area to meet with Oakland and the Athletics could offer him as much as four years for $48 million.  Another rumor during the week stated that the Giants were interested in Furcal.  Maybe while Furcal is in Oakland, he can swing by San Francisco to meet with the powers that be to discuss a deal, too.
• Randy Wolf and the Astros are at an impasse.
  Due to payroll issues, the Astros have decided to slow negotiations with one of their top targets according to the Houston Chronicle.  The club is uncertain of how big their '09 payroll will be, according to the report.  Until that question is answered, Houston will probably not be able to tender a firm offer to the guy they traded for at the Deadline.
• The Orioles might not have it in them to go local.
  Baltimore is in the shadow of the places where Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett call home.  Despite this and the Orioles interest in both players plus a willingness to spend big free agent money, the Orioles might come up short on both players.  Of the two, the Orioles are a more plausible candidate to land Burnett who lives in Monkton, MD.  According to multiple sources, Burnett is interested in staying close to home and with Monkton located 35 minutes from Baltimore, it's impossible to find a closer location. 
• Freddy Garcia's arm again a concern.
  Pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, Freddy Garcia left a recent performance early due to shoulder discomfort.  Now, there are concerns popping up about the free agent pitcher's health.  It will be interesting to see how serious the setback is for Garcia who missed part of 2007 and most of 2008 due to arm problems. 
• Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens stay in the news.
  Barry Bonds had some charges dropped and others combined as the March trial date for his perjury trial moves closer.  Roger Clemens might have to explain how his DNA ended up on syringes, needles and gauze pads turned over by his former trainer Brian McNamee.  While Clemens awaits a test on McNamee's DNA to rule him out as a possible source of the DNA found on the syringes, needles and gauze pads handed over, his association with a charity golf event for children in Houston was severed.  Lately, it looks like Clemens' legal and personal issues are bigger than Bonds' issues... who would have predicted that a few years ago?