WINTER MEETINGS Mets acquire Lo Duca from Marlins on 1st day

Boston is looking to deal Manny Ramirez.
DALLAS (AP) -- A.J. Burnett's agent was talking with St. Louis and Toronto, and Trevor Hoffman's representatives were speaking with Cleveland as baseball's winter meetings began Monday.
On the first day of baseball's annual swap session, the New York Mets completed their trade to acquire catcher Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins. Boston talked about trading Manny Ramirez, and the Red Sox said they were reluctant to pay some of the $57 million the outfielder is owed in the final three seasons of his contract.
"You're going to pay another team to have that player beat you?" Red Sox senior adviser Bill Lajoie said. "That doesn't make sense, does it?"
Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said the Blue Jays went as far as they would go with Burnett, who likely will get a four- or five-year deal in the $10 million to $11 million range as he joins the Florida exodus. Hoffman, San Diego's longtime closer, was negotiating with the Indians, who might have set a deadline as they look for a closer to replace Bob Wickman, who became a free agent.
Getting out of Miami
Lo Duca followed Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo out of Florida, which is purging payroll. The catcher joins Delgado and reliever Billy Wagner on the Mets, who might be the division favorite heading into spring training.
"I think it would be a disappointment if we didn't win the NL East," Lo Duca said.
Roger Clemens he hasn't decided whether to return for a third season with the Astros. If Houston doesn't offer salary arbitration by 11 p.m. Wednesday, the 43-year-old ace can't re-sign with the Astros until May 1.
"It's the same situation we were in last year where we were uncertain as to when we would get an answer," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "It puts us at somewhat of a disadvantage to build our club."
Clemens retired after pitching for the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series, then came back to pitch for his hometown Astros after close friend Andy Pettitte signed with Houston. The Rocket won his seventh Cy Young Award in 2004, then led the majors with a 1.87 ERA this year.
"Today, he would retire if he had to make the decision," said Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, adding that a return would not surprise him either.
Yankees and Williams
The Yankees also face Wednesday's deadline with Bernie Williams. New York's longtime center fielder could return in a reserve role, but the Yankees won't offer arbitration unless Williams' agent, Scott Boras, agrees to reject it. Players offered arbitration can re-sign with their former teams through Jan. 8.
New York general manager Brian Cashman planned to speak with Boras and said he also might speak to Williams, who is scheduled to be at the meetings.
St. Louis, meanwhile, agreed to $800,000, one-year contacts with infielder Deivi Cruz and catcher Gary Bennett and Arizona was talking with catcher Brad Ausmus.
Free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver's agent was thought to be talking with the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers said shortstop Rafael Furcal, who reached a preliminary agreement last weekend on a $39 million, three-year deal, had his physical pushed back to Tuesday.