Monday's signing of Esteban Loaiza could spell the end of Barry Zito's career in Oakland, given the team's surfeit of pitching and its need for a right-handed power hitter.

The Diamondbacks pitched a trade of Javier Vazquez for Kris Benson and prospect Brian Bannister at the GM meetings.

Marlins catcher Paul Lo Duca, whom the Diamondbacks tried to acquire two years ago when Randy Johnson almost was dealt to the Dodgers, has said he would be interested in playing for Arizona and trade talks might be in the works.

Trades talks involving pitcher Javier Vazquez have been heating up and the Diamondbacks are close to facilitating the right-hander's request to be dealt to a club closer to the East Coast.

Javier Vazquez, who asked for a trade from Arizona, would like to be dealt to the Mets, where he would reunite with Minaya, his former GM in Montreal.

Arizona ace Javier Vazquez formally asked the Diamondbacks to trade him Thursday night, preferably to a team east of the Mountain Time Zone.