Word on the street is that former Red Sox and Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra is set to sign with the Dodgers. With Los Angeles having already signed Rafael Furcal and Bill Mueller this offseason, it looks like Mr. Mia Hamm is going to find himself confined mostly to first base or the outfield. Of course, had he ended up with the Yankees, it probably would have been a similar scenario.

I have to admit that I'm a little surprised how active the Dodgers have been this offseason. I mean, granted, they sucked this year, but still, with the shuffling of managers and general managers and the whole bit, they've still been getting a lot done. I already mentioned Furcal and Mueller. They signed Grandpa Alomar to a one-year deal. They shipped Milton Bradley up north. They haven't been quite as busy or successful as, say, the Mets or the White Sox, but they might be a close third. I mean, if you don't count Florida selling everyone on the roster old enough to consume alcohol, the only four teams which really seem to be active at all this year are the Dodgers, White Sox, Mets, and Red Sox. Interestingly enough, three of those four are teams with a cross-town rival, and the fourth has one that might as well be. Who says the Yankees don't have an impact even when the Boss isn't splashing the cash?

» Reports: Nomar to sign with Dodgers [mlb.com]

Free agent and trade action continue to be hot-and-heavy around Major League Baseball, as three more players appear to have found new homes.

The Dodgers are yet to confirm or deny, but Rafael Furcal's agent says that the shortstop has agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal to move out west to Chavez Ravine.

Former Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca is on his way to New York as Florida shipped off yet another veteran player. Just as he did in Los Angeles, Lo Duca will arrive in Queens to replace the departed Mike Piazza. This time around (The Mets got first baseman Carlos Delgado from Florida last week), Florida gets minor league pitcher Gaby Hernandez and a player yet to be identified.

And another Los Angeles player - recently of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - is on the move as well. Pitcher Paul Byrd agreed to a two-year, $14.25 million deal with Cleveland. The addition of Byrd to the Indians rotation could especially be important should free agent pitchers Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton not return to the team in 2006.

» Agent confirms Furcal deal with Dodgers [mlb.com]
» Mets reel in Lo Duca from Marlins [mlb.com]
» Tribe lands free agent Byrd [mlb.com]