Here are some notes on some of the big headlines from another busy day around baseball Tuesday:

• Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports that the Red Sox may be willing to offer a six-year contract to bring back free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester. Read more: theScore
• The Houston Astros are looking for help on the left side of the infield and have checked in on free agent infielder Hanley Ramirez, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Read more: MLBTR
• Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the San Diego Padres are working to resign pitcher Josh Johnson, who missed all of the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery. Read more: NBC Sports

• The Toronto Blue Jays have checked in with the Philadelphia Phillies on the availability of second baseman Chase Utley as well as pitchers Antonio Bastardo and Cole Hamels, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. Read more: nj.com
• ESPN’s Adam Rubin reports that veteran Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins blocked a potential trade to the New York Mets. Read more: ESPN
• Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona reports that the Diamondbacks have expressed interest in free agent pitcher Chad Billingsley. Read more: Fox Sports Arizona
• The Atlanta Braves aren’t confident in their ability to sign right fielder Jason Heyward to a long term extension, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read more: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Left-handed reliever Andrew Miller has drawn interest from many teams so far this offseason, including the Cardinals and both Chicago teams, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago. Read more: theScore
• In an interesting development, Phil Rodgers of MLB.com reports that free agent designated hitter Billy Butler has received a 3-year, $30M offer from an unknown team, although that unknown team is suspected to be the Baltimore Orioles. Read more: NBC Sports
• The Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in former Cardinal and potential bounce-back candidate Justin Masterson, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Read more: RotoWorld
• Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com reports that the Baltimore Orioles are discussing potential trade possibilities for pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. Read more: MLB.com
• ESPN’s Buster Olney reported midday on Tuesday that the Baltimore Orioles have offered outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Cruz a 3-year deal and that the sides are expected to meet this week. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported later in the afternoon that Cruz is demanding a 5-year deal, and that the Orioles and many other teams likely aren’t willing to go that far. Read more: theScore
• Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams was named the winner of the National League Manager of the Year award while Orioles’ Buck Showalter was named the winner in the American League. Read more: Yahoo Sports
• Gordon Whittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Chicago Cubs are in talks with the Washington Nationals to acquire pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, however there are multiple conflicting reports. Read more: theScore
• Finally, Gordan Edes of ESPN Boston reports that the Boston Red Sox are “all in” on free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval. Read more: ESPN

Chris Brown, St. Louis Baseball Today