According to ESPN.com, starting pitcher Freddy Garcia has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Yankees which would pay the veteran $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster. The 35-year-old could make as much as $5.1 million if all of his incentives are reached. Garcia totaled a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts with the White Sox in 2010, throwing 157 innings. He battled shoulder injuries throughout the previous three seasons, having been considered by the Red Sox prior to the 2008 season.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Red Sox and Victor Martinez have talked about a proposal for a two-year contract. The 31-year-old Martinez is a free agent at the end of this season. The Boston Globe was first to report the offer. The Globe also reports that the Red Sox and Blue Jays were close to a deal that would have brought first baseman Lyle Overbay from Toronto.

According to a major league source, the Rangers ‘kicked the tires’ in regards to potentially acquiring Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie, whom Texas had some interest in as a utility infielder prior to Lowrie contracting mononucleosis during spring training. The Rangers will be without starting second baseman Ian Kinsler for the next few weeks after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. WEEI.com’s Alex Speier reported that the Padres also showed some interest in Lowrie prior acquiring Miguel Tejada.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Red Sox and Blue Jays currently aren’t a match in terms of making a deal for reliever Scott Downs. While the source points out the dynamic could change before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, there is “nothing right now.” WEEI.com’s Alex Speier is reporting, however, that the Jays continue to aggressively scout Red Sox Single-A pitcher Roman Mendez.

Speier reported earlier Monday that the Blue Jays have been asking for organizations’ “elite prospects” in return for Downs. When appearing on The Big Show last Friday, Peter Gammons reported that the Jays asked for Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias in exchange for Downs.

As for Mendez, a source has told Speier that the Jays have sent multiple scouts to see a number of the young right-hander’s starts. Mendez, who turned 20 on Sunday, was dominant in his U.S. debut in 2009, producing a 1.99 ERA and striking out 47 while walking eight in the Gulf Coast League.

This year, however, he has struggled. He started the year at Single-A Greenville, but that assignment was short-lived after he got off to an 0-2 start with an 11.40 ERA, striking out 18 and walking 10 in 15 innings. He was sent to extended spring training and then reassigned to the Lowell Spinners, for whom he is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 17 walks in 28 innings.

Mendez, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, features a big arm, occasionally touching the mid-90s with his fastball while still working to develop a secondary arsenal.

According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the Red Sox were one of the teams represented at the Blue Jays-Royals game Monday night and surmises that at least part of the presence of Sox pro scout Steve Peck was because of Boston’s interest in catcher John Buck. The other organizations Elliott references as being in attendance were the Tigers, Yankees, and Phillies.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — David Ortiz, who told ESPN.com Monday that he would like a multi-year contract after his current deal, told WEEI.com prior to Tuesday’s All-Star Game that he thinks he will return as a member of the Red Sox next season.

“I believe I’ll be back [with the Red Sox],” said Ortiz, whose current deal includes a $12.5 million team option for 2011. “[Expletive] yeah. What should I believe? I’ll tell you one thing, I’m not going to go the Angels. This is too far.”

Ortiz won the Home Run Derby Monday night, and hits the second half hitting .263 with a .945 OPS and 18 home runs. For more coverage from the All-Star Game see the Red Sox team page at weei.com/redsox.

Curt Schilling has let his words do his talking … until now!

(Hat tip to Boston Sports Media Watch)

Remember all of those Jose Canseco call-ins …

Remember all of those Jose Canseco movie updates … (That, by the way, seems stalled considering a search of IMDB reveals just a documentary and a 1992 ‘Simpsons’ episdode “Homer At the Bat”. Don’t you remember the vaunted Monty Burns straight ball?)

As a quick aside, I just searched our friends at YouTube for the Monty Burns straight ball clip and came across this Korean baseball “fight”. This is one of the most bizarre things I’ve seen happen on a baseball field since Eddie Jurak played …

Anyway, remember all of those Jose Canseco references to Alex Rodriguez (and Roger Clemens) … Well, here are a few reminders from our Audio On Demand:

Canseco with the Big Show (talks about introducing A-Rod to a steroid dealer around the 4:42 mark)

Yet another Jose call-in (brief A-Rod mention at 17:20 and an Ordway reference to the pair at 22:40)

Interview based around Canseco-Schilling mini-feud

As some of you know, Batting Stance Guy is a friend of WEEI.com, a relationship we hope continues throughout the coming season. So, as we trudge toward spring training, our man BSG gave us a little sample of what is to come.

Here is BSG offering Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie a look into the mirror …

And for a bonus, here is BSG vs. Ryan Howard …