Vicente Padilla 's pitching ability wasn't the issue when the Rangers released him in midseason. It's the off-the-field activity and his ability to alienate teammates that limits his value. The Dodgers had said they were interested in re-signing him but are asking hard questions about an incident in which he was shot in the right thigh last week in his native Nicaragua. The shooting did appear to be the result of an accident, possibly due to the mishandling of a gun by a bodyguard. ... Smart move by the Angels in retaining Bobby Abreu. He would have found a much bigger market for his services this winter than he did a year ago. ... As with the Jeremy Hermida-to-the-Red Sox deal, rich teams are going to get richer this winter. The economic climate suggests an unusually large number of players will be non-tendered, and teams with money to spend -- the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Angels, maybe -- can trade for them rather than trying to sign them as free agents. The Cubs might find their bullpen help this way. ... Look for the Twins to get busy working on the Joe Mauer contract extension. Where's the starting point? Five years, $95 million, maybe? The Twins have a good catching prospect coming in Wilson Ramos, 22, the leading hitter in Venezuela this winter (.403-6-23 in 20 games). ... Diamondbacks first baseman-outfielder Conor Jackson is making a nice comeback in the Dominican Republic after missing much of the season with a mysterious illness. ... The Brewers' acquisition of Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy means Mike Cameron won't be re-signed. General manager Doug Melvin says that money will be used to pursue pitching. ... The Cubs' Jeff Samardzija has been throwing well in Mexico, which can be a tough place to pitch. Ted Lilly hopes to be back from his shoulder surgery by Opening Day, but the Cubs could be looking at two vacancies in the season-opening rotation, not just the one opened by Rich Harden 's expected departure.

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