rumor mill

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have spoken with Roy Oswalt’s agent. The free agent right-hander from Weir has been linked to the New York Yankees, Washington, Kansas City and his 2011 club, Philadelphia. Oswalt slipped a bit last season — 9-10, 3.69 ERA amid injury issues — but he’ll get a good offer somewhere. If he still wants to pitch in 2012, he will have the opportunity. … Rumor has it that Atlanta and Colorado talked about a deal that would send former Ole Miss star Seth Smith to the Braves for Mississippi Braves alumnus Martin Prado. Seems like a longshot. The Braves want a power-hitting outfielder, and Smith is that, but he’s a lefty and Atlanta’s lineup is already too left-handed. Smith hit .284 last year but just .202 against left-handed pitching. He had 15 homers, 32 doubles and nine triples, numbers boosted somewhat by playing at Coors Field. … Colorado could be the next home for former Mississippi State lefty Paul Maholm. The free agent, who went 6-14, 3.66 with Pittsburgh last season, has also been linked to the New York Mets,, Washington and Miami, among others, but the Rockies are the best bet, according to one blog out there. … The newly named Miami Marlins may open their new stadium next April without ex-Ole Miss standout Chris Coghlan on the roster. There are reports that the 2009 rookie of the year, who had a miserable, injury-wrecked 2011 campaign (.230 in just 65 games), will start 2012 in the minors, where he finished this past season. … This is not a rumor but a fact: Jackson native Donnie Veal has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. Veal, who has 19 big league games on his resume, spent 2011 in the minors with Pittsburgh. He’s a power lefty with a 3.84 career ERA in the minors, mostly as a starter. M-Braves fans might remember him from his days with the Tennessee Smokies in the Chicago Cubs’ system.