Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com confirmed Tuesday that free agent Nick Johnson has already drawn interest from multiple teams this offseason.
Johnson has reportedly heard from the Mariners, Giants, Mets and even the Yankees, who could use him at DH. The 31-year-old had the highest 2009 on-base percentage of any hitter on the free agent market this winter and an overall batting line of .291/.426/.405. He's been an above-average defender at first base for most of his seven-year big league career.
Shawn Marion remains questionable to play in Tuesday's game against the Warriors, according to coach Rick Carlisle.
Marion's ankle was still tender on Monday and it sounds like he'll be a game-time decision.
Bucs placed Byron Leftwich (elbow) on injured reserve, ending his season.
Leftwich was Tampa's No. 3 QB behind Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson. The Bucs used Leftwich's banged-up elbow to justify the move to I.R., but wanted to bring in youngster Rudy Carpenter from Dallas' practice squad anyway. With a $3.5M roster bonus due him in March 2010, Leftwich won't be back with the Bucs. The Steelers will likely show interest in him after he's cut.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that Ben Roethlisberger (head) passed his concussion tests on Monday and feels fine.
Big Ben will practice Wednesday, and the Steelers plan to have him in the starting lineup against the Ravens on Sunday Night Football. He's the No. 6 fantasy quarterback right now and should be in lineups against a very beatable Baltimore secondary that is now missing Fabian Washington.
According to FOXSports.com, the Phillies and Dodgers are both pursuing free agent utilityman Juan Castro.
Castro inked a minor league contract with the Dodgers last winter worth $700,000 and hit .277/.311/.339 while serving as a backup all around the infield. The 37-year-old could serve as a less expensive replacement to free agent Eric Bruntlett in Philly.
Calvin Johnson (knee, hand) and Matthew Stafford (shoulder) both sat out Lions practice Tuesday.
Johnson appears more likely to play than Stafford, but this is a bad sign for Megatron. The Associated Press called him "doubtful" on Monday after he was hurt on the final play of the Week 11 win over the Browns. The Lions will hold a walk-through on Wednesday and Calvin will likely be a game-time decision for Thursday's game with the Packers.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes the Mariners will try to deal second baseman Jose Lopez this offseason.
The M's value things like on-base percentage and defense, and Lopez isn't particularly strong in either fields. With infield prospect Dustin Ackley on the way, the club can trade Lopez now, while his value is highest, and find a one or two-year solution to fill the hole. The 25-year-old hit .272/.303/.463 this past season with 25 home runs, 42 doubles and 96 RBI.
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