Suarez trade doesn’t change Cozart’s status as Reds’ top shortstop
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:52 pm ET) Although the Reds acquired shortstop Eguenio Suarez in a trade with the Tigers on Thursday, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty stressed Zack Cozart is still the team’s starting shortstop, per MLB Network Radio.

“Cozart is our opening day shortstop and he’s one of the best in the league,” Jocketty said.

Jocketty: Anthony DeSclafani will be part of Reds rotation in 2015
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:45 pm ET) Reds general manager Walt Jocketty is expecting starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, who was picked up in a trade with the Marlins on Thursday, to be an important part of the team’s plans in 2015, according to MLB Network Radio.

“We think DeSclafani will fit into our rotation this year. Our scouts were very, very high on him,” Jocketty said.

Reds GM Jocketty: Cueto negotiations ‘won’t be easy’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:41 pm ET) Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Thursday he met with the reps for starting pitcher Johnny Cueto at the Winter Meetings, according to MLB Network Radio. Although, Jocketty admits it will not be easy signing the 28-year-old Cueto to a contract extension.

Cueto, who won a career-high 20 games in 2014, is in the final year of a five-year, $36.2 million contract.

“We had a brief meeting with his agent down here and we’ll see how re-signing him progresses. But it won’t be easy,” Jocketty said.

Twins trying to sign Ervin Santana to four-year deal
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:32 pm ET) The Twins are trying to sign starting pitcher Ervin Santana to a four-year deal, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The Giants, Royals and Yankees are among other teams that have shown interest.

Athletics designate center fielder Shane Peterson for assignment
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:17 pm ET) The Athletics announced center fielder Shane Peterson has been designated for assignment Thursday.

Peterson has one hit in seven at-bats.

Daniels: Rangers won’t trade Profar, not likely to make opening day roster
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:17 pm ET) Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said at the Winter Meetings on Thursday he has no plans to trade infielder Jurickson Profar, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

However, Daniels indicated Profar — who missed the 2014 season due to a shoulder injury — is not likely to make the opening day roster.

“Probably not. We’re not keeping him as our utility guy,” Daniels said.

Athletics agree to trade Austin House for Rockies’ Mark Canha
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:14 pm ET) The Athletics announced pitcher Austin House has been traded to the Rockies Thursday. In exchange for House and cash, the Rockies sent infielder Mark Canha to the A’s.

House has a 3.27 ERA over three seasons in the minors. While playing in Triple-A in 2014, Canha hit .303 with 20 home runs and 83 RBI.

Dombrowski: Tigers ‘not in active pursuit’ of SP Max Scherzer
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:06 pm ET) It appears the chances of the Tigers re-signing starting pitcher Max Scherzer are dwindling, as general manager Dave Dombrowski revealed Thursday at the Winter Meetings the right-handed hurler is not on the team’s radar at the current time.

“I guess anything can happen, but we’re not in active pursuit of that situation at this time,” Dombrowksi said of re-signing Scherzer, per the Detroit Free Press.

The 30-year-old Scherzer has won 10-plus games in five straight seasons for Detroit. He has won 39 games over the last two seasons. He is 91-50 with a 3.58 ERA in seven MLB seasons.

Tigers designate pitcher Melvin Mercedes for assignment
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:05 pm ET) The Tigers announced pitcher Melvin Mercedes has been designated for assignment.

The team cited a need to create a spot on 40-man roster. Mercedes pitched two innings in 2014 and did not give up a run.

Reds officially trade Mat Latos to Marlins for DeSclafani, Wallach
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:57 pm ET) The Reds announced Thursday they traded starting pitcher Mat Latos to the Marlins in exchange for starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani and catcher Chad Wallach.

Latos is in his final year of arbitration. He was limited to just 16 starts in 2014 due to injury, going 5-5 with a 3.25 ERA. Latos has a 60-45 record with a 3.34 ERA in 153 career starts for the Padres and Reds.

DeSclafani went 2-2 with a 6.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 13 appearances (five starts) for the Marlins in 2014. The 2011 sixth-round pick is 26-16 with a 3.23 ERA in 354 1/3 innings in the minors.

Wallach, a 2013 fifth-round pick, split the 2014 season between low Class A Greensboro and high Class A Jupiter. He hit .322 with a .431 on-base percentage, .457 slugging percentage, .888 OPS, seven home runs, 22 doubles and 57 RBI in 97 games.