DALLAS – There was only one juicy rumor involving the Giants on the opening morning of baseball's winter meetings Monday, and general manager Brian Sabean gleefully squashed it.

"We did not bid on the Japanese shortstop," said Sabean, deflecting a report that suggested the Giants submitted a posting bid on Hiroyuki Nakajima of the Seibu Lions. "Did not. N-O-T. Enough said."

What about players on this side of the Pacific?

"We've made a few bids in this country," Sabean said. "That's not going too well. The bidding in general is not going very well."

That was a running theme. Sabean reiterated he has little maneuverability under his $130 million payroll after budgeting arbitration raises to Tim Lincecum and others. Forget Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols. It turns out Sabean lacks the cash for Michael Cuddyer or Josh Willingham.

What of Carlos Beltran and Cody Ross? Sabean said the "window could be closing" on re-signing either player.

"We only have so much money to spread, and you have to play with 25 guys," Sabean said.

Meanwhile, manager Bruce Bochy repeated what he told KNBR last week – that catcher Buster Posey likely will play at least part time at first base to keep his bat in the lineup while he comes back from a serious leg injury.

Bochy has told Aubrey Huff to expect more time in left field and is satisfied with the veteran's efforts to get into shape this offseason. If Huff becomes the everyday left fielder, Bochy and Sabean sketched out first base as a mix where Posey plays against some left-handers and Brandon Belt competes with Brett Pill for most at-bats.

There's one other offshoot to Posey at first base. It would mean an expanded role for the backup catcher, and with young switch hitter Hector Sanchez leading the Venezuelan winter league with a .376 average, club officials aren't ruling out beginning the season with him on their roster.

Red Sox – A man who worked as a teenager in the Boston clubhouse said his "dream job" ended abruptly when the clubhouse manager sexually assaulted him.

Charles Crawford and another Massachusetts man are now accusing Donald Fitzpatrick, who died in 2005, of abusing them in the early 1990s. The statute of limitations has expired for filing lawsuits, but the men are seeking $5 million settlements from the team.

During a news conference, Crawford said Fitzpatrick assaulted him twice inside the Fenway Park clubhouse – once in an equipment room and once in a restroom. He was 16 at the time.

In 2002, Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty in Florida to attempted sexual battery on a child under 12. The Red Sox also settled a lawsuit with seven Florida men who said Fitzpatrick molested them during spring training beginning in the 1970s.

Red Sox attorney Daniel Goldberg did not return calls seeking comment, but in a statement, he said the Red Sox "have always viewed the actions of Mr. Fitzpatrick to be abhorrent."

Dodgers – Los Angeles is nearing a deal with pitcher Aaron Harang and agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr.

Last season, Harang was 14-7 with a 3.64 ERA for San Diego, and Hairston hit .274 with one homer and seven RBIs for Milwaukee.

Twins – Reliever Matt Capps, who had 15 saves for Minnesota in 2011, agreed to a one-year, $4.75 million contract to stay put.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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