Some of the most controversial names in the Hot Stove remained foremost in table-talk on Thursday.

Maybe not as prevalent as Plymouth Rock or Gov. William Bradford on Thanksgiving, but Jake Peavy, Brian Fuentes and A.J. Burnett got their mentions between "Drumstick, please" and "pass the biscuits."

Also, "mystery teams" raised almost as much curiosity as the proverbial "mystery stuffing."

Most intriguingly, in a late-Wednesday report by Yahoo.com, San Diego general manager Kevin Towers indicated he just might have come up with the elusive third team needed to perhaps facilitate Peavy's deal to the Chicago Cubs.

A third team is considered a requirement for that transaction because the Cubs on their own do not have the players for a package acceptable to the Padres.

A couple of mystery teams were also cited by agent Paul Kinzer as complicating the Bay Area leanings of free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.

Furcal returned on Wednesday to his Dominican home to, it is believed, contemplate an offer from the Oakland A's, and he is also sought by the Giants. Before either of those teams can close in on a deal, apparently Kinzer will have to unravel those mysteries.

The Mets' very-public pursuit of a pair of closers remained on stand-by. GM Omar Minaya has a future Winter Meetings-date with Kinzer, also representing Francisco Rodriguez, and had a day to consider a request from Fuentes reported as between $30 million and $33 million for three years.

If adjacent reports are accurate, Minaya had an easier time digesting his turkey than that proposal.

But the Mets executive was diplomatic about it on XM Radio, telling Jim Duquette, his predecessor as Mets GM, "Right now, we're in the early stages. My understanding is a lot of clubs are reevaluating this market, moreso because of the unfortunate financial strain that is going on, not only in baseball but throughout the world."

Minaya also confirmed his club's interest in outfielder Raul Ibanez, not surprising given that he had inquired about his availability from the Mariners prior to July's non-waiver Trade Deadline.

On the other hand, the Mets appear to be one of the few East Coast clubs not in on Burnett, whom the Toronto Blue Jays are still hopeful of re-signing.

But, if they can't, they may just put the $24 million relinquished by Burnett's opt-out back into the kitty, according to the team's interim CEO.

"It's a possibility. We can spend $100 million, but if it doesn't make sense, why do it?" Paul Beeston told the Associated Press.

And the other hot pitcher on the free-agent counter, CC Sabathia? No hard news, but the industry-wide sense was that the Angels' serious interest could goad the Yankees to improve their outstanding six-year offer from $140 million to $150 million.