Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado: ‘I’ve got to get better’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:21 am ET) Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado by all means had a productive second season in the majors in 2014. Aside from winning his second Gold Glove award, Arenado also hit .287 with a .500 slugging percentage, .828 OPS, 18 home runs, 34 doubles and 61 RBI — all career highs.

Still, Arenado isn’t satisfied. The 23-year-old third baseman and rising star is looking to do more.

“I’ve got to get better, personally,” Arenado said, per MLB.com. “I’ve got to be a better leader, a better player overall, fix my game, make sure I come in healthy and be strong.

“When people come in to play Colorado, I want my name to be popping in their heads.”

Birdich: If Rockies can’t deal Rosario, team could carry three catchers
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:12 am ET) Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said Monday the team could carry three catchers in 2015, if they don’t trade Wilin Rosario, per The Denver Post. The other two catchers on the roster would be Nick Hundley and Michael McKenry.

“This is not some harbinger for a Wilin Rosario trade,” Bridich said Monday as the team announced a two-year deal for Hundley. “There has been interest in Wilin this offseason, but there has not been a situation that made sense for us — certainly not at this point to take it seriously.

“We are talking about a young, power bat. A kid that hits home runs and has driven in runs in the past. He struggled at times last year, both at the plate and behind the plate, but that doesn’t diminish the talent there.”

Bridich added the Rockies are interested in using Rosario at first base on occasion and as a right-handed power bat off the bench.

Report: Phillies’ Ryan Howard can’t block trade to nine teams
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:05 am ET) While Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. looks to trade first baseman Ryan Howard, there are some obstacles to completing a deal, including Howard being able to block trades to 20 teams, according to ESPN.

Under the terms of Howard’s contract, the 35-year-old veteran can only be traded to nine teams without his permission. Those nine teams are the Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox, a source familiar with Howard’s contract told ESPN.

Howard, who hit .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 153 games in 2014, still has two years left on his contract. He is due to make $25 million each of the next two seasons. He also has a $23 million team option for 2017, which includes a $10 million buyout.

Blue Jays not expected to pursue James Shields
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) The Blue Jays are not expected to pursue free agent pitcher James Shields, unless he lowers his price, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. Shields is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth approximately $100 million. The 33-year-old is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.21 ERA over 227 innings. 

Rockies designate pitcher Chris Martin for assignment
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) To make room for catcher Nick Hundley, the Rockies announced pitcher Chris Martin has been designated for assignment on Monday. Martin produced a 6.89 ERA in 16 games during the 2014 season.

Rangers designate pitcher Matt West for assignment
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) The Rangers announced pitcher Matt West was designated for assignment on Monday. West pitched four innings for the Rangers in 2014 and produced a 6.75 ERA.

Rangers sign Juan Carlos Oviedo to minor-league contract
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) The Rangers announced they signed pitcher Juan Carlos Oviedo to a minor-league contract on Monday.

The deal also includes an invite to major league camp. In 2014, Oviedo produced a 3.69 ERA in 32 games for the Rays.

Red Sox re-sign pitcher Craig Breslow
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman confirmed the Red Sox re-signed pitcher Craig Breslow to a one-year, $2 million contract on Monday.

Breslow struggled in 2014, producing a 5.96 ERA in 60 games.

Rangers sign infielder Adam Rosales to one-year deal
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) The Rangers signed infielder Adam Rosales to a one-year, $900,000 contract on Monday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Rosales played in 54 games for the Rangers in 2014 and hit .226 with four home runs and 19 RBI.

Rockies agree to terms with catcher Nick Hundley
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/5/2015) The Rockies have agreed to a two-year, $6.25 million contract with catcher Nick Hundley on Monday, reports CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Hundley will make $3.1 million in 2015 and $3.15 million in 2016. In 2014, Hundley hit .243 with six home runs and 22 RBI over 83 games for the Orioles.