Troy Tulowitzki ‘right on schedule’ coming off August hip surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:38 pm ET) Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who is the subject of trade rumors, is progressing well coming off August hip surgery, according to Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich. He said he saw Tulowitzki at the team’s spring training facility in Arizona during a voluntary “fitness summit.”

“Troy looked really good. He’s right on schedule,” Bridich said, per The Denver Post. “The surgery went really well, and now Tulo is working his (tail) off to get back. That’s one thing about him: You always know he’s committed.”

Yankees sign Jose De Paula to one-year deal
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:26 pm ET) The Yankees announced Wednesday they signed pitcher Jose De Paula to a one-year contract. De Paula has yet to appear in the majors and he spent last season with the Giants’ Triple-A team, going 4-3 with a 4.21 ERA in 16 appearances (10 starts).

Royals sign Ryan Roberts, Joe Paterson to minor-league deals
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:23 pm ET) The Royals announced Wednesday they signed free-agent infielder Ryan Roberts and pitcher Joe Paterson to minor-league contracts. Both players received invites to spring training as non-roster invitees.

Report: Reliever David Robertson seeking ‘Papelbon money’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:05 pm ET) Free agent reliever David Robertson, who turned down a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer from the Yankees, is looking for “Papelbon money,” a baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPN.

Jonathan Papelbon signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies in 2011, which was the richest overall contract for a reliever. If Papelbon finishes 15 games in 2015, then his contract vests for a fifth year at $13 million, which would increase the value of the contract to $63 million.

If Robertson can land a deal similar to Papelbon’s contract, then it appears doubtful the Yankees would match the offer. Because Robertson declined his qualifying offer, the Yankees would receive a draft pick as compensation, if he signs with another team.

Report: Free agent Miller could be ready for full-time closer gig
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:56 pm ET) Free agent reliever Andrew Miller has slowly worked his way up the relief ladder the last few seasons and developed into one of the premier setup men in 2014. Now, it seems he might finally be ready for his first chance at being a full-time closer, according to ESPN.

“I think Andrew’s evolution in the bullpen and his numbers this year fortify the belief in baseball that he’s a closer-in-waiting — and maybe the time for waiting is over,” Miller’s agent, Mark Rodgers, said Tuesday.

Rodgers declined to comment on potential suitors for Miller, but several contending teams are looking for late-inning relievers. Miller had his first career save and a career-high 22 holds in 2014 pitching for the Red Sox and Orioles.

“For us, there are no demands or expectations on what role it’s going to be,” Rodgers said. “A team that signs Andrew Miller is a team that has put a premium on its bullpen — because no matter how the bullpen is, he’s going to make it better.”

Report: Padres listening to trade offers on Kennedy, Cashner, Ross
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:34 pm ET) The Padres continue to listen to trade offers on their top starting pitchers — Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner — as they look to upgrade their offense, according to FOX Sports. 

All three players are under team control through at least 2015. Kennedy can be a free agent after next season, Cashner will be a free agent after the 2016 season and Ross won’t be a free agent until after 2017.

Kennedy and Ross tied for a team-high 13 wins in 2014. Ross had a 2.81 ERA and Kennedy had a 3.63 ERA. Cashner went 5-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 19 starts.

Pirates’ Ike Davis working in the outfield to improve versatility
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:20 pm ET) Pirates first baseman Ike Davis is working in the outfield this offseason to improve his versatility, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Davis, who is once again the subject of trade rumors, hasn’t played in the outfield since appearing in two games in right field the minors in 2009.

Report: Mets search for shortstop upgrade, M’s could be trade partner
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:10 pm ET) The Mariners could end up as a trade partner for the Mets, who are in search of a shortstop, multiple insiders told ESPN. Even with the trade of Nick Franklin in July, the Mariners still have shortstops Chris Taylor and Brad Miller on the roster.

The Mets appear ready to finally make a move to acquire a shortstop after losing patience with Ruben Tejada, who started 105 times at shortstop in 2014.

Report: Very doubtful Yankees acquire Rangers SS Elvis Andrus
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:57 am ET) It appears very doubtful the Yankees will make a trade to acquire Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, according to ESPN senior writer Andrew Marchand. Andrus has been rumored to be a potential option to replace longtime Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who played his final season in 2014.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez is a more likely option for the Yankees than Andrus, but nothing is close at the moment.

Angels GM standing behind C.J. Wilson’s ‘track record’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:50 am ET) Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto has full confidence in starting pitcher C.J. Wilson, despite the left-handed hurler having a rough finish to the season, which included being pulled in the first inning of a playoff game against the Royals.

“I’m very confident in C.J. Wilson,” Dipoto said Tuesday, per The Orange County Register. “There is nothing physically that holds him back from being C.J. Wilson. This year he was outstanding for the first six or eight weeks, and then he came unglued. But he’s got a track record.”

Wilson, who went 13-10 with a 4.51 ERA in 31 starts in 2014, is under contract for two more seasons and is due to make $20 million in 2016. He has a limited no-trade clause, where he can block trades to eight teams, according to Baseball-Reference.com.