Ian Desmond, Nationals not making any progress on extension
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(4:41 pm ET) The Nationals and shortstop Ian Desmond have not made any progress thus far this offseason on a contract extension, reports the Washington Post. Desmond reportedly rejected a $107 million extension last offseason and his name was included in multiple trade discussions during the winter meetings.

Desmond wouldn’t indicate if he would be willing to negotiate for a new deal in-season, saying, “we’re not at that point yet.”

“Look, this isn’t my first day on the job. I understand what’s going on,” Desmond said. “I wouldn’t respect Mike (Rizzo) the way I do, like I said, if he just sat on his hands and did nothing. That’s not how this organization got here, and it’s not how it’s going to continue to move forward. Hopefully I’m a part of it, but if not, I’m still going to be rooting for them.”

Desmond is expected to make $11 million in 2015 before becoming a free agent in 2016. He slashed .255/.313/.430 with 91 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 593 at-bats in 2014. He also led all shortstops with 24 home runs on the year.

Orioles on Ryan Howard’s pre-approved list for trades
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2:40 pm ET) The Orioles and the Phillies discussed a package deal that included outfielder Marlon Byrd and first baseman Ryan Howard during the winter meetings, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports Saturday.

According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Orioles are one of eight teams on Howard’s pre-approved list for trades. An American League team seems like an ideal landing spot for the veteran, who could spend the final two years of his contract as a designated hitter. However, according to Heyman, there’s “not a lot there at the moment” between the two clubs.

Howard has two years and a guaranteed $60 million remaining on his contract, with a $23 million option for 2017. He slashed .223/.310/.380 with 23 homers, 95 RBI while also striking out 190 times over 569 at-bats last season

Cubs officially announce signing of SP Jon Lester
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2:29 pm ET) The Cubs officially announced the signing of pitcher Jon Lester on Saturday, according to MLB.com. Lester and the Cubs agreed on a six-year, $155 million deal earlier in the week during the winter meetings, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The three-time All-Star was 16-11 with a 2.46 ERA in 32 starts between the Red Sox and Athletics in 2014. He is 116-67 with a 3.58 ERA in his nine-year MLB career.

Twins designate Chris Parmelee for assignment
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2:23 pm ET) The Twins designated first baseman/outfielder Chris Parmelee for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for newly acquired pitcher Ervin Santana, reports the Star Tribune on Saturday. Parmelee slashed .256/.307/.384 in 270 plate appearances last season for Minnesota. 

Diamondbacks’ Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster tabbed to start
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014) Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart indicated Friday that pitchers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster are in line to pitch in the rotation in 2015, MLB.com reports. The two pitchers were acquired from the Red Sox in a trade that was announced Friday.

An earlier report stated that Stewart indicated that Josh Collmenter would start the regular-season opener, but he just happened to be the first name listed by the general manager when discussing the team’s rotation plans. The team could still choose to bring in more starting pitching help, especially after clearing significant salary by trading away two veterans this week. Currently, Collmenter is lone holdover in the Diamondbacks rotation after the team acquired De La Rosa, Webster and Jeremy Hellickson to fill three spots.

Stewart: Diamondbacks considering pursuing Scherzer, Shields
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014) Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said Friday that the team is discussing internally whether to pursue free-agent pitchers Max Scherzer or James Shields, the Arizona Republic reorts.

The Diamondbacks were able to free up about $16 million in payroll by dealing pitcher Wade Miley and catcher Miguel Montero, and it appears that money could be used to target one of the market’s top starting pitchers. Scherzer figures to command a deal much larger than Shields.

Reds sign Jose Mijares to minor-league deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014) The Reds have signed lefthanded pitcher Jose Mijares to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. He didn’t pitch in 2014 after posting a 4.22 ERA and 54:20 K:BB ratio in 49 innings over 60 appearances with the Giants in 2013.

Blue Jays sign Lopez, Fox, Gindl to minor-league deals
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014) The Blue Jays signed pitcher Wilton Lopez, first baseman Jake Fox and outfielder Caleb Gindl to minor-league deals with invitations to spring training, Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lopez made four appearances with the Rockies in 2014 while also delivering a 4.57 ERA and 35:6 K:BB ratio in 43 1/3 Triple-A innings. Fox last played in the majors in 2011 and spent 2014 in Double-A, the Mexican League and the independent Atlantic League, posting a combined .309/.387/.592 line with 38 home runs and 118 RBI in 517 at-bats. Gindl made eight appearances with the Brewers in 2014 while hitting .227/.310/.354 with eight home runs and 32 RBI in 362 at-bats with Triple-A Nashville.

Report: Padres offer Brandon Morrow incentive-laden contract
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014) The Padres have offered righthanded pitcher Brandon Morrow a one-year, incentive-laden contract, FOXSports.com reports.

Morrow missed several months of the 2014 season with a finger injury and ended up logging just 33 1/3 innings in his final season with the Blue Jays while posting a 5.67 ERA and 30:18 K:BB ratio. He owns a career 4.28 ERA and 9.4 K/9 rate in 735 2/3 innings.

Twins sign Ervin Santana to four-year deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/12/2014) The Twins have signed pitcher Ervin Santana to a four-year contract, the team announced Friday.

The two sides agreed to a four-year, $54-million deal, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reported Thursday. The deal includes a team option for a fifth year.

Santana declined a qualifying offer for the second straight offseason in November but was able to land a multyear contract the second time around after going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA and 179:63 K:BB ratio in 196 innings with the Braves in 2014. His 8.2 K/9 rate marked his best strikeout rate since his only All-Star campaign in 2008. He’s made at least 30 starts in each of the last five seasons.

Santana turned 32 years old Friday.