“Hot Stove?” More like “not stove” this week, as General Managers and teams are currently in a holding pattern before the Winter Meetings begin on Dec. 5. For now, it seems as if teams biding their time in an effort to make big splashes next week. In any event, here is everything you need to know about the baseball world:

RUMORS

Free Agent pitcher Aaron Cook is getting a look at by the Pirates, as well as a half-dozen other teams.

The Red Sox could explore a possible trade of SS Jed Lowrie. Some Mets fans feel that Lowrie might be worth investigating, such as Jon Scippa of Metsblog.com.

The White Sox have been trying to move reliever Matt Thornton since July, and are continuing to shop him.

The Cubs have their sights set on Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols.

One of the top free agent starting pitchers, C.J. Wilson, visited Miami earlier this week. Apparently he is a key component of the Marlins’ off-season plan.

Former Met reliever Octavio Dotel is receiving interest from the Cardnials, Reds and Tigers.

The Nationals are looking at super-utility player Mark DeRosa as a possible option, should they not be able to sign a big ticket first basemen, such as Prince Fielder.

There is a “decent sized” market for Wandy Rodriguez. What would you give up for the left-hander?

Free Agent DH David Ortiz is seeking a three-year deal. Good luck with that, I see the slugger getting two-years by the end of the winter.

3B Aramis Ramirez is garnering interest across the league, including from the Angels.

Mark Buehrle is one of the Detroit Tigers top-targets this off-season, but they should take a number, as they are not alone in their pursuit of the free agnet starter.

NEWS

Jonathan Broxton signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals for $4 million. The deal also includes another $1 million the former closer could obtain through incentives.

The Rays signed Jose Molina to a $1.8 million one-year deal with a club option.

The Astros have obtained permission to interview Rays executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman about their now vacant GM position.

Either Bobby Valentine or Gene Lamont should be announced as the next Boston Red Sox manager today, Joel Sherman tweets.

Willy Mo Pena has signed a two-year-deal with the Softbank Hawks for $5 million.

The Pirates released Xavier Paul.

The Yankees decided Freddy Garcia was worth coming back, and signed him to a one-year-deal that will guarantee him $4 million. The team also signed Jason Nix to a minor league deal.

The Blue Jays acquired Luis Valbuena from the Indians in exhchange for cash considerations.

The Phillies had a different idea of who should be closing games for them next year, as they called Billy Wagner early this offseason in hopes of coaxing him out of retirement. They also signed former Mets reliever Pat Misch to a minor league deal. First Raul Valdes, now Misch, the Phillies are on a Mets run.

The Mariners swapped controversial right-hander Josh Lueke in exchange for Rays’ catcher John Jaso.

METS

Before he signed with the Royals, the Mets reportedly pursued Jonathan Broxton.

Speaking of closers, the Mets haven’t called Matt Caps since the GM Meetings, his agent says.

Apparently, some in the Mets front office are not the biggest fan of backup catcher Ronny Paulino, as he “only hit singles.” Who on the Mets did anything more? In any case, the Mets are exploring new options to backup Josh Thole.

For whatever reason, Jack Wilson is still connected with the Mets.

Francisco Cordero is now a Type-B Free Agent, making him look more likely for a Mets signing.

The Mets offered Jose Reyes arbitration, now they will receive draft picks should he depart.

Some silver lining in the Jose Reyes situation: word on the street is that Hanley Ramierz isn’t all that keen on shifting positions for Jose Reyes, should he decide to sign with Miami.