Blue Jays 3B Donaldson expecting more homers in 2015
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(11:31 am ET) New Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson has predicted a power surge in 2015, greatly as a result to the move to a new home ballpark.

“(There were) 14 balls I hit in Oakland this year I thought would go out for homers but didn’t,” he told Sportsnet. “I’m looking forward to hitting in Rogers Center.”

Donaldson still blasted 29 home runs with the Athletics last season.

Rangers 1B Guzman ordered to stay put after fatal accident
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(10:35 am ET) Rangers first base prospect Ronald Guzman has been ordered to remain in the Dominican Republic after his involvement in a fatal car accident in which his SUV collided with a motorcycle in his hometown of La Vega on Tuesday, killing the driver.

The investigation could take up to six months, per Baseball America, which would sideline him for spring training and beyond. Guzman is the ninth-ranked player in the Texas system, according to Baseball America.

Report: Cubs RHP Pedro Strop fine after car accident
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(10:13 am ET) Cubs reliever Pedro Strop is unhurt after crashing his car in his native Dominican Republic. The 29 year old was driving an SUV when he slammed through a wall late Wednesday near the capital city of Santo Domingo. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

Strop is coming off arguably his finest season in the big leagues. He compiled a 2.21 ERA for the Cubs in 2014, yielding just 40 hits and fanning 71 in 61 innings pitched.

A’s designate Josh Lindblom and Kyle Banks for assignment
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(9:51 am ET) The Oakland Athletics designated pitcher Josh Lindblom and first baseman Kyle Blanks for assignment Friday.

Lindblom has made 110 appearances during his four-year career, producing a 3.82 ERA. Blanks is a career .234 hitter over six seasons.

Report: Athletics talking to Braves about Upton, Gattis
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(12:46 am ET) The Athletics are talking to the Braves about outfielder Justin Upton and catcher Evan Gattis, according to the Bay Area News Group.

Oakland was involved in a shocking deal on Friday, and it doesn’t appear the club is done making deals just yet. Upton is coming off a season in which he hit .270/.342/.491 over 566 at-bats. The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract.

Gattis hit .263/.317/.493 over 369 at-bats. He was hindered by a back injury over the second half of the year. Gattis won’t be a free-agent until 2019.

A’s deal Josh Donaldson to Blue Jays for Brett Lawrie
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(11/28/2014) The Athletics have dealt third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for third baseman Brett Lawrie and pitcher Kendall Graveman, according to FoxSports.com. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed the deal.

Pitcher Sean Nolin and shortstop Franklin Barreto are also heading to Oakland, according to Yahoo! The 28-year-old Donaldson is entering his first year of arbitration. He’s under team control until 2019. Lawrie is also entering his first year of arbitration, but will become a free-agent in 2018. Lawrie is entering his age-25 season. Graveman sky-rocketed through Toronto’s farm system last year, jumping multiple levels. The 23-year-old posted a 1.83 ERA in 27 starts over four levels. He made his major-league debut as well, coming out of the bullpen five times at the end of the year. 

The 24-year-old Nolin posted a 3.43 ERA over three levels in the minors last season. He tossed one inning in the majors last season, giving up one run. The 18-year-old Barreto hit .311/.384/.481 over 328 at-bats in Class A ball. 

Athletics’ Jeff Samardzija has not been informed of possible trade
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(11/28/2014) Athletics pitcher Jeff Samardzija has not been informed about a possible trade, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

There was an earlier report suggesting Samardzija was involved in a deal, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Samardzija is a high profile player, and likely would have been contacted by the team if a deal was close. Oakland is said to be working on something, but it’s unclear which players are involved. 

Update: Athletics ‘close’ to making a deal
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(11/28/2014) Update: The Athletics are close to making a deal, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland is looking to acquire hitters in a possible deal. The initial rumor had pitcher Jeff Samardzija in a potential deal, but that may not be the case, according to FoxSports.com. First baseman Brandon Moss is also not included in a possible deal, according to MLB.com. The reports seem to indicate the A’s are actively pursuing a deal, but the players involved are not known at this time. 

Report: Nationals’ Ross Detwiler open to a trade
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(11/28/2014) Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler is open to a trade, according to The Washington Post. 

The 28-year-old has been a starter most of his career, but was shifted to the bullpen last season. Though he was effective, Detwiler was relagated to being the team’s long relief option/mop-up man. Detwiler doesn’t have much of a role with the club, and his camp has suggested that the Nats pursue a trade if possible. Detwiler posted a 4.00 ERA over 63 innings. 

Report: Nationals have checked in on Asdrubal Cabrera
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(11/28/2014) The Nationals are one of several teams to have checked in on second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, according to The Washington Post. 

Cabrera spent the second half of 2014 in Washington, and has expressed a desire to remain with the club. The Nationals are said to be in pursuit of a middle infielder. Shortstop Ian Desmond is in the final year of his contract, and it’s unclear if the team wants to go with Danny Espinosa at second. The 29-year-old Cabrera hit .241/.307/.387 over 553 at-bats last year.