‘Mutual interest’ in Chris Tillman extension, O’s say
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:27 am ET) Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said there’s  “mutual interest” in working out a contract extension with pitcher Chris Tillman, reports MASN Sports.

Tillman, 21, is first-year arbitration eligible and the undisputed opening day starter for the Orioles, at the moment. He has gone 29-13 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over the previous two seasons, exceeding 200 innings in both seasons. 

Report: Giants may be out on James Shields
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/2/2015) The Giants are no longer interested in pitcher James Shields, according to ESPN.

The club was said to have interest in the 33-year-old pitcher back in December, but that seems to have waned. Shields was reportedly interested in a five-year deal, and that may have scared off San Francisco. He’s coming off a season in which he posted a 3.21 ERA over 227 innings. Shields has pitched at least 200 innings in each of the past eight seasons. 

Logan Ondrusek hooks on in Japan
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/2/2015) Free-agent reliever Logan Ondrusek has joined the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, according to the Japan Times. 

Ondrusek spent the last five seasons with the Reds. He was non-tendered by the club in December. Ondrusek is set to make $1.2 million with the Swallows next year. He posted a 5.49 ERA over 41 innings. 

Report: Tigers may be able to match Max Scherzer’s best offer
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/1/2015) The Tigers may have the opportunity to match pitcher Max Scherzer‘s best offer, according to MLB.com.

Scherzer remains a free-agent, and is reportedly seeking a huge contract. While the Tigers are one of the few teams that could pony up the money to bring Scherzer back, it’s unclear whether the two sides are talking about a deal. If another team were to make an offer to Scherzer, the Tigers may have a chance to match that offer, though. Agent Scott Boras denies this is the case, while a source with knowledge of the Tigers’ plans suggests Detroit will have a say. 

The 30-year-old Scherzer posted a 3.15 ERA over 220 1/3 innings last year. 

Yankees trade Banuelos to Braves for Carpenter, Shreve
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/1/2015) The Yankees traded pitcher Manny Banuelos to the Braves in exchange for pitcher David Carpenter and pitcher Chasen Shreve, confirms CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. YES Network was the first to report the deal.

The former top-100 prospect Banuelos went 2-3 with a 4.11 ERA over 26 minor-league appearances (25 starts) in 2014. He pitched at Class A, Double-A and Triple-A. He missed the 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Carpenter went 6-4 with a 3.54 ERA and three saves in 65 outings for Atlanta in 2014. He is 11-10 with a 3.62 ERA over four seasons in the majors. He has also pitched for Houston and Toronto.

The 24-year-old Shreve made his MLB debut in 2014, posting a 0.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 15 relief appearances. He also had 15 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

Report: Rockies planning to keep catcher Wilin Rosario
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/1/2015) The Rockies have told teams they are keeping catcher Wilin Rosario unless they are overwhelmed in a trade offer, according to ESPN. Rosario has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason.

Rosario is entering his first year of arbitration and is under team control through the 2017 season. He has a career .274/.308/.483/.791 slash line in 360 games.

Report: Orioles’ Buck Showalter to meet with Colby Rasmus
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(12/31/2014) Orioles manager Buck Showalter will meet with free-agent outfielder Colby Rasmus, according to the Baltimore Sun.

A deal between the two sides is not close, though Baltimore does have interest in the 28-year-old outfielder. The meeting with Showalter will gauge whether Rasmus can fit in the Orioles clubhouse. Showalter had similar meetings with both Delmon Young and Nelson Cruz in previous seasons, so this isn’t the first time he’s met with a possible target. Rasmus was shipped out of St. Louis due to character concerns, though things have mostly been quiet on that front since he joined Toronto.

The Orioles are interested in bringing Rasmus in on a one-year deal, which would allow him to rebuild his value in order to make more money next offseason. Showalter and Rasmus are set to meet in the next couple of days. 

Rasmus is coming off a season in which he hit .225/.287/.448 over 346 at-bats.

Report: Chris Denorfia to play with Cubs in 2014
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12/31/2014) Former teammate John Baker has tweeted that Chris Denorfia is headed to the Cubs. It is a one-year deal, according to Fox Sports.

Denorfia is coming off his poorest season since becoming a semi-regular in 2010. He compiled a slash line of .230/.284/.313 with just 21 RBI and 21 RBI in 2014.

Dodgers announce Anderson signing, DFA Arruebarrena
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12/31/2014) What had been widely reported is now official – the Dodgers have announced their signing of left-hander Brett Anderson to a one-year deal worth a reported $10 million.

The team has designated shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

The 26-year-old Anderson managed a 2.91 ERA with Colorado last season, but a series of injuries has limited him to fewer than 100 innings in each of the last four years.

Report: Rockies all but set with C Nick Hundley
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12/31/2014) The Rockies have signed free agent catcher Nick Hundley to a two-year contract for just over $6 million, the Baltimore Sun has reported. The deal will be official upon his completion of a physical.

Hundley compiled a .243/.273/.358 slash line in 218 at-bats with Baltimore in 2014.