Red Sox acquire right hander Anthony Varvaro from Atlanta
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12:18 pm ET) The Red Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher Anthony Varvaro from the Braves after he was designated for assignment, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

The Red Sox sent minor-league pitcher Aaron Kurcz and cash considerations.

Varvaro was moved to make room for newly acquired Alberto Callaspo Tuesday. Vavaro threw 54 2/3 innings in 2014 with a 2.63 ERA. 

Cubs, Mariners agree on deal for OF Justin Ruggiano
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(11:50 am ET) Cubs outfielder Justin Ruggiano has been sent to the Mariners in a deal that will send minor league pitcher Matt Brazis to Chicago, the team announced Wednesday. 

Ruggiano, who played in 81 games in 2014, hit .281 with six home runs and 28 RBI for the Cubs. He spent the previous two seasons with the Marlins, where in 2012, he hit a career high .313 with 23 doubles and 36 RBI.

Brazis went 8-6 with 14 saves and 2.89 ERA in three years with four teams in the Mariners minor league organization. 

Padres, Rays trade talks for Wil Myers making progress
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(11:13 am ET) The Padres and Rays are said to be making progress on a deal for outfielder Wil Myers, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

Myers, who hit .222 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 87 games, was also the Rookie of the Year in 2013.

Yahoo Sports MLB columnist Jeff Passan reported this deal might also involve pieces going to and from the Nationals.

Cardinals pitcher Kevin Siegrist beginning to throw this week
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(10:36 am ET) Cardinals pitcher Kevin Siegrist was able to begin throwing from 60 feet this week after suffering muscle tears in his hand in October, according to FOX Sports Midwest.

Siegrist, who was left on the Cardinals NLDS roster in 2014, went 1-4 in 30 1/3 innings with a 6.82 ERA. 

Angels GM Dipoto: ‘We believe in Josh Hamilton’
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(9:39 am ET) The Angels have reportedly spoken with two teams, the Rangers and Padres, about the possibility of trading for outfielder Josh Hamilton, but general manager Jerry Dipoto has said the team has not given up on him.

“We do believe in Josh,” Dipoto told FOXSports.com. “We’ve seen it every day when he takes batting practice. We’ve seen him hit balls that humans shouldn’t hit. What he does, 99 percent of the players can’t do.

“We are absolutely of the belief that the ability is there for him to do the things that he has done in the past. Now we have to help him turn the key to bring the ability out.”

The talks for Hamilton were considered exploratory and were unable to gain traction, according to Ken Rosenthal. 

Hamilton, 34, is owed $83 million over the next three years and only played in 89 games in 2014, hit .263 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI. 

Report: Andrew Albers signs with Blue Jays
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/16/2014) The Blue Jays have signed left-hander Andrew Albers to a deal, a source told MLBDailyRumors.com on Tuesday. Albers spent 2014 pitching in South Korea. The Canadian hurler went 6-13 in 28 starts with a 5.89 ERA overseas. In 2013, he went 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 10 starts for Minnesota.

Indians designate LHP Nick Maronde for assignment
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/16/2014) The Indians have designated left-hander Nick Maronde for assignment on Tuesday in order to clear roster space for the addition of right-hander Gavin Floyd, the team announced. Maronde posted a 12.79 ERA in 6 1/3 innings last season.

Rangers DFA Scott Barnes, Ben Rowen
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/16/2014) The Rangers have designated left-hander Scott Barnes and right-hander Ben Rowen for assignment on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Barnes has not pitched in the majors since 2013. He has a 5.20 career ERA over 27 2/3 innings of relief. Rowen posted a 4.15 ERA in 8 2/3 innings over eight appearances with the Rangers.  

Report: Orioles, LHP Wesley Wright agree to one-year deal
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/16/2014) The Orioles have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with left-hander Wesley Wright on Tuesday, MASN Sports reports. Wright went 0-3 with a 3.17 ERA over 48 1/3 innings of relief with the Cubs last season.

Michael Morse signs two-year, $16 million deal with Marlins
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/16/2014) Outfielder Michael Morse‘s agent confirmed he’s signed a contract with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports the deal is worth $16 million for two years.

Morse played a crucial part in San Francisco’s championship run in 2014, batting .279 with 16 home runs, 32 doubles and 61 RBI in 131 regular season games. He had just six hits over 20 postseason at-bats.