A’s agree to acquire Ben Zobrist, Yunel Escobar from Rays
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:28 pm ET) The Athletics have agreed to acquire infielders Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Rays in exchange for catcher John Jaso and two prospects, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The two prospects include shortstop Daniel Robertson and outfielder Boog Powell, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, who first reported the trade.

Zobrist, a two-time All Star, is coming off a season in which he hit .272/.354/.395 over 570 at-bats. He is entering the final year of his contract, and is due $7.5 million next season. Escobar, 32, hit 258/.324/.340 with seven homers and 39 RBI over 476 at-bats in 2014. He is expected to earn $5 million this season and $7 million in 2016, with a club option for 2017 at $7 million with a $1 million buyout.

The move will likely turn recently acquired Marcus Semien into an “everyday super utility player,” per the paper.

Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera (ankle) to have CT scan in February
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:08 am ET) Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is currently in a partial weight-bearing stage of his recovery from offseason ankle surgery. He’ll need to pass a CT scan in February when he consults with Robert Anderson, a Charlotte, N.C., orthopedic surgeon in order to move into a full weight-bearing program, reports the Detroit News.

“His rehab has gone well,” Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said on Friday. “He’s in a partial weight-bearing stage, six weeks in a boot, which began just before Christmas. He’ll get back and see Dr. Anderson next month and hope the CT scan will show that everything’s well and that he can move into a full weight-bearing program.”

It remains to be seen if Cabrera will be at 100 percent in time for opening day.

Tigers’ Jose Iglesias on track to full health for spring training
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:59 am ET) Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand told the Detroit News on Friday that shortstop Jose Iglesias, who missed the 2014 season due to stress fractures in both shins, is on target to return to full health. He’s been working out steadily in his Miami home, taking ground balls and working on his hitting and running progression while being supervised by Rand.

“At this point, he’s progressed exactly as we’d anticipated,” Rand said. “Basically, it’s a matter of getting him to spring training. And then, in spring training, breaking him in easily to find out if he’ll be able to handle the everyday stress of playing.

“But nobody knows that (for certain) until you get to that point.”

Diamondbacks have had trouble dealing for a catcher
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(12:22 am ET) The Diamondbacks haven’t been happy with the cost of acquiring a catcher in a trade, according to the Arizona Republic.

We’ve not made a whole lot of headway in that area yet,” general manager Dave Stewart said. “Without really giving up something that’s going to cost us a player that we don’t want to give away.” Arizona dealt starter Miguel Montero to the Cubs in December, and the team is set to open the season with the unproven Tuffy Gosewisch behind the dish.

The club has been in contact with the Cubs regarding Welington Castillo, but nothing has materialized yet. Stewart said rival clubs are asking for Arizona’s “top guys” in exchange for a catcher. 

Orioles officially sign Delmon Young
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/9/2015) The Orioles have announced the signing of outfielder Delmon Young on a one year deal.

The two sides came to an agreement in December, but the deal was contingent on a physical. Young passed the physical, and is officially a member of the club. He’s set to make $2.25 million next season, and can earn up to $750,000 in incentives. 

Young hit .302/.337/.442 in 242 at-bats last year.

Cubs designate pitcher Michael Kickham for assignment
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/9/2015) The Cubs have designated pitcher Michael Kickham for assignment on Friday.

Kickham was claimed by the club a couple weeks ago, but was let go in order to make room for Chris Denorfia. Kickham has a 10.98 ERA over 30 1/3 career innings. 

Red Sox bring back Miguel Celestino on a minor-league deal
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/9/2015) The Red Sox have re-signed pitcher Miguel Celestino on a minor-league deal.

Celestino has been a member of the organization since 2010, but has spent his entire career in the minors. The 25-year-old posted a 3.98 ERA over two levels of the minors last year.

Dodgers’ Erisbel Arruebarrena clears waivers, sent to Triple-A
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/9/2015) Dodgers infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena has cleared waivers on Friday, the team announced.

Arruebarrena was designated for assignment by the club in late December. He’s set to make $16 million over the next four seasons. Arruebarrena received 41 at-bats in the majors last year, hitting .195.

Orioles catcher Ryan Lavarnway designated for assignment
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/9/2015) Orioles catcher Ryan Lavarnway was designated for assignment on Friday.

Lavarnway was claimed by Baltimore in December, but was DFA’d on Friday in order to make room for Delmon Young. Lavarnway has already been claimed three other times this offseason, so there’s a chance he’ll be moving to another club soon.

Lavarnway hit .201/.249/.315 over 279 career major-league at-bats. 

Cubs sign outfielder Chris Denorfia on Friday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/9/2015) The Cubs have signed outfielder Chris Denorfia on Friday, the team announced. 

Denorfia was rumored to be joining the team in December, when teammate John Baker tweeted the news. The team waited until Friday to make the move official. Denorfia signed for one year, but the terms of the deal were not released. He’s hit .272/.331/.394 over 1950 career at-bats.