Report: DH Billy Butler agrees to $30 million deal with Oakland
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(9:16 pm ET) Former Royals designated hitter Billy Butler agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Athletics, reports MLBDailyRumors.com. The Royals had declined their 2015 option on Butler, who hit .271 with nine homers and 66 RBI in 549 at-bats.

Butler, 28, reportedly will receive a $5 million signing bonus.

Cardinals add C Cody Stanley to 40-man roster
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(8:44 pm ET) The Cardinals added catcher Cody Stanley to their 40-man roster, reports CardinalsFarm.com. Stanley batted .283 with 12 homers and 43 RBI in 103 games at Double-A Springfield this past season.

Cards release OF Shane Robinson, outright P Keith Butler
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(8:13 pm ET) The Cardinals released center fielder Shane Robinson and outrighted pitcher Keith Butler to Triple-A Memphis, reports MLBTradeRumors.com. Robinson batted .150 in 60 at-bats this past season. Butler is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Nationals release C Jhonatan Solano
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(7:58 pm ET) The Nationals released catcher Jhonatan Solano, reports MLBDailyDish.com. Solano, 27, batted .251 with 10 homers and 53 RBI at Triple-A Syracuse this past season.

Report: Marlins interested in SP James Shields
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(7:56 pm ET) The Marlins have expressed interest in free agent pitcher James Shields, sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Tuesday. The move would cost the team their No. 12 pick in this year’s draft.

Marlins general manager Dan Jennings has ties with Shields. Jennings drafted Shields in the 16th round of the 2000 amateur draft when he was with Tampa Bay.

In 2014, Shields helped lead the Royals to their first World Series appearance since 1985 by going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA.

Report: Twins, Royals ‘very interested’ in Torii Hunter
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(7:42 pm ET) Although Torii Hunter confirmed he won’r return to the Tigers next season, the free agent outfielder remain in the AL Central. Though there are a “number of teams” interested, the Twins and the Royals are the most aggressive teams in pursuit of Hunter, source told Chris Cotillo of SB Nation

Hunter, 39, produced 17 home runs and 83 RBI while batting .286 in 2014.

Report: Cardinals ‘in pursuit’ of free agent SP Jon Lester
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(6:35 pm ET) The Cardinals are reportedly joining the Jon Lester sweepstakes. According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and SeriusXM, the Cardinals are “in pursuit” of the free agent pitcher.

Lester went 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts between the Red Sox and Athletics in 2014. The three-time All-Star, has been drawing interest from the Cubs, Braves and Red Sox. According to an earlier report from baseball analyst Peter Gammons, the Cubs believe Lester could be returning to Boston.

Oliver Drake signs major-league contract with Orioles
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(5:03 pm ET) Oliver Drake signed a major-league contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, per the team’s official website. Drake spent the past three seasons at Double-A Bowie. He posted a 3.08 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP over 52 2/3 innings of work in 2013.

Report: Astros showing interest in pitcher Brett Anderson
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4:55 pm ET) The Astros have checked in on free agent starting pitcher Brett Anderson, who lives in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Astros’ free-agent offseason targets include starting pitchers, relievers and help on the left side of the infield.

The oft-injured left-hander was 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA in eight starts for Colorado in 2014. He hasn’t made more than 19 starts since his rookie season in 2009.

Report: Marlins, White Sox, Padres inquire about LaRoche
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4:51 pm ET) The Marlins, White Sox and Padres have inquired about free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, sources told FOX Sports. He is also considered a contingency plan for some teams looking to trade a first baseman.

LaRoche became a free agent after the Nationals opted for a $2 million buyout for the 2015 season. The veteran slugger hit .259 with 19 doubles, 26 home runs and 92 RBI in 140 games.