Closer Brian Fuentes was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Rockies, ensuring Colorado will receive compensatory picks in next year's draft if the left-hander signs elsewhere as expected.

Fuentes is a Type A free agent and has until Sunday to accept the offer or the Rockies would receive two draft picks.

Fuentes, a three-time All-Star, lost his closer job in 2007 during the Rockies' run to their first World Series. He served as a setup man for Manny Corpas during the second half of the season.

Notable

CC Sabathia, likely to command the largest contract among this year's free-agent

pitchers, was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Milwaukee Brewers.

The New York Yankees declined salary arbitration with all eight of their former players who became free agents, a group that includes pitcher Andy Pettitte and right fielder Bobby Abreu.

The Los Angeles Dodgers offered salary arbitration to free agents Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe and Casey Blake on Monday.

Free-agent pitcher Oliver Perez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the New York Mets, who would receive two compensatory draft picks if the left-hander signs with another team.

The Oakland Athletics declined to offer salary arbitration to their four free agents Monday, including slugger Frank Thomas.

A.J. Burnett, one of the top free-agent pitchers this offseason, was offered salary arbitration by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.

Career steals leader Rickey Henderson heads 10 first-time candidates on this year's Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire and Jim Rice -- eligible for the final time.

Mike Hampton is set to return to the Houston Astros, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract.

The Los Angeles Angels offered salary arbitration to free agents Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland and Darren Oliver. The club declined to offer arbitration to longtime outfielder Garret Anderson, general manager Tony Reagins said.

At least two prospective

buyers have submitted a new round of bids to Tribune Co. for the Chicago Cubs. Chicago real estate investor Hersch Klaff and the Ricketts family, founder of online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., delivered their proposals by the Thanksgiving deadline, according to sources involved in the negotiations.

Raul Ibanez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Mariners, a move that means Seattle would receive an extra pair of draft picks next year if the free-agent outfielder signs with another team.

St. Louis Cardinals minor league infielder Wilfred Vivas was suspended for 50 games Monday after a positive test for a banned substance under Baseball's minor league drug program.

The Seattle Mariners have hired Ty Van Burkleo as bench coach and Lee Tinsley as first base coach.