Pitching at a premium

All but a few of the 30 general managers had checked out of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center by noon Thursday as the Winter Meetings drew to a close, but before they scattered, the most common refrain from them was one we've heard so many times before:

"We need more pitching."

While it is true young talent has probably never been more highly coveted than today, pitching is still at a premium.

It's why the Twins, with two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to trade, are adamant on getting their price.

It's why the Orioles, who are listening to offers for Erik Bedard, have had inquiries from no fewer than 11 teams regarding the sensational left-hander.

It's why the Dodgers, who already have one of the deeper rotations in the game, are trying to trade for Bedard AND sign free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.

It's why the Cubs have no intention of trading Rich Hill or Sean Marshall.

So many teams are trying to stockpile arms that suitors without deep farm systems need not apply when it comes to making offers for Santana/Bedard or some of the other marquee targets.

As a rising tide lifts all keels, this demand for pitching has caused teams to expand their search, which is why a pitcher like Mark Prior of the Cubs, coming off shoulder surgery and unable to pitch until May at the earliest, is getting attention from other teams.

Whether you're fortunate enough to be coming off a good year, like Carlos Silva, or just looking for a shot to latch on for another year, like Brett Tomko, pitchers are in demand. The only difference is in degrees.

And it should make for a very interesting winter.

Colorado considering Eckstein

David Eckstein, the 2006 World Series Most Valuable Player while with the Cardinals, has emerged as a candidate for the Rockies' second-base opening.

The Rockies are also interested in free agent Mark Loretta, who has been offered arbitration by the Astros but hasn't yet accepted or declined that offer, and free agent Tadahito Iguchi.

Eckstein, who has World Series rings with the Angels in 2002 and the Cardinals in 2006, batted .309 with three home runs and 31 RBIs for the Cardinals last season. The Cards, Padres and Twins have been mentioned as possibly being interested.

The Rockies and Bob Garber, the agent for Loretta, talked on Thursday morning. The Rockies had been under the impression that Loretta would accept arbitration from the Astros, but the presence of Kazuo Matsui -- who left the Rockies to sign a three-year, $16.5 milloin contract -- means Loretta has limited playing time prospects with the Astros.

Scott a possible fit for Rays

The Astros have had talks on multiple fronts with teams interested in outfielder Luke Scott, and while San Diego is believed to be the front-runner to acquire Scott, Tampa Bay is a possible fit for the 29-year-old.

Gerry Hunsicker, Tampa Bay's senior vice president of baseball operations, traded for Scott (along with the rights to outfielder Willy Taveras) for left-hander Jeriome Robertson in 2004, when Hunsicker was Houston's GM.

The Rays have been looking to add power, and the left-handed-hitting Scott, who batted .254 with 18 homers and 64 RBIs in 369 at-bats in 2007, became expendable when the Astros acquired Michael Bourn to play center field, which moved Hunter Pence to right field.

Quick hits

• The Mariners have talked to Baltimore about Bedard and the Rays concerning right-hander Edwin Jackson.
• The Padres are close to signing free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley to a one-year deal worth between $3.5 million and $4 million. Bradley, 29, hit .313 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs in just 42 games with the Padres last season.
• Several teams looking for a third baseman, especially the Phillies and Dodgers, will be watching to see if Morgan Ensberg is non-tendered by San Diego next week.
• The Rockies are considering several free-agent pitching targets, including left-handers Mark Redman and Glendon Rusch and right-handers Kip Wells, Brett Tomko and Steve Trachsel.
• The Rangers continue to talk with agent Larry Reynolds about LaTroy Hawkins and are hoping to know in the next couple of days if they can sign him. The Rangers have offered one year and an option while Hawkins is looking for two years.
• The Rangers have had trade talks with the Mariners about Ben Broussard and have talked with free agents Sean Casey and Mike Lamb.