Cubs among front-runners for Sheffield

"The Cubs are among the front-runners for Sheffield, and their top officials this week will embark on organizational meetings to plot their offseason strategy. The Astros, Padres, Tigers and Rangers also have expressed interest. The Phillies see Sheffield as an alternative to free agent Alfonso Soriano."

• And, Jim Baumbach and Ken Davidoff also report:

"Mussina, who turns 38 next month, has not filed for free agency yet, but he said that is only because the Yankees have not yet declined his $17-million 2007 option. "If it's not done by the end of the week," he said, "then we'll have to discuss it.""

• Good grief, decline it already. Gee whiz. I still think Mussina would make an excellent middle reliever. He never gives you a lot of innings anyway, and Torre is into bullpens.

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