Our Nationals reporter, Bill Ladson, cites two sources saying no serious offer was on the table regarding a reported three-way deal with the Tigers, O’s and Nationals. A Baltimore Sun article reported talks with Baltimore and the Nats involving Marcus Thames and possibly Ryan Church.

Notes from Leyland’s session with the media today at the winter meetings:

• He’s been playing around writing out some lineups while here, and he’s pondering three possibilities at the leadoff spot: Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco and Ivan Rodriguez. Yes, Pudge, whose speed is a factor Leyland is considering in the job.
• Gary Sheffield will bat either third or fourth, with Carlos Guillen moving up to third if Sheffield hits cleanup. Magglio Ordonez would then either hit fourth or fifth, with Sean Casey hitting sixth.
• If Marcus Thames isn’t moved, Leyland wants to work him out at first base — not just as an emergency option, but as a way to get him at-bats against left-handed pitchers and potentially right-handers if Sean Casey is injured or needs a day off. "Is he going to be Vic Power? No, that’s not going to happen," Leyland said.
• Leyland sounded a lot more concerned about filling Jamie Walker’s spot than Dave Dombrowski did. He’s hoping they can sign one, even if it’s a long shot. If not, he said. "I might have to go to the Minor Leagues and look around over there and have them set up all their lefties for two, three days in a row and go over there and watch them."
• Omar Infante has a chance to see more time in the outfield than he did last year. Barring a trade, Leyland sees Infante as his backup center fielder.
• Leyland will not have his team take pitchers fielding practice the first day of spring training. He doesn’t want to make a big deal out of the issue and get it into players’ heads.
• Leyland raved about J.D. Drew, whom he saw up close while he was a scout for the Cardinals. Makes you wonder what might’ve happened there had the Tigers not acquired Gary Sheffield.

More to come later.