Newcomer Kang already angling for starting shortstop job with Pirates
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:38 am ET) While Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang is on his way to Pittsburgh to finalize a deal with the Pirates, the 27-year-old infielder seems extremely confident in his skills and put incumbent Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer on notice that he’s aiming for his job, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

“If I get an opportunity to play consistently, I think I can play better (than Mercer),” Kang told the Yonhap News Agency. “I think I’ll have to talk to the team about my position, but I’d like to play shortstop.”

Mercer played in a career-high 149 games last season, batting .255 with 12 home runs, 27 doubles and 55 RBI. Kang hit .356 with 40 home runs and 117 RBI in 117 games in 2014 for Nexen of the Korea Baseball Organization.

If Pittsburgh completes the deal with Kang, it seems Mercer views Kang’s confidence as a plus for the team.

“It’s good to see he’s got confidence coming in,” Mercer said. “All of us can use that, for sure. If we all set our sights on one goal and have confidence in our ability, the sky is the limit for this team. So, it’s exciting to see it.”

Chris Tillman willing to talk long-term deal with Orioles
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:16 am ET) Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman confirmed Wednesday there is mutual interest between him and the team regarding a long-term contract. Tillman is in his first year of arbitration and is under team control through the 2017 season.

“I think it’s smart to listen, and I think it’s dumb not to,” Tillman said, per The Baltimore Sun. “You weigh all the options and go with it. I don’t know a whole lot about it, to tell you the truth. My agent called me about it, and I told him, ‘You know what? Call me back when you know something.’ That’s not me. I’m day to day. I roll with the flow.

“I let my guys do their job, and that’s what they’re there for. I can listen to older guys and that’s really all I can do. Would I like to be with these guys and be their teammates for a while? You’re [darn] right I would. We have a good team, a fun team and I enjoy it here.”

The 26-year-old Tillman is 38-16 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 82 starts since 2012.

Red Sox trade Dan Butler to Nationals for Danny Rosenbaum
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:34 am ET) The Red Sox traded catcher Dan Butler to the Nationals for pitcher Danny Rosenbaum.

Butler made his MLB debut in 2014, batting .211 with two RBI in seven games for Boston. The 28-year-old catcher has logged six years in the minors, compiling a .256/.349/.416/.765 slash line.

The 27-year-old Rosenbaum has yet to make his MLB debut. He was limited to four starts at Triple-A in 2014 before he needed Tommy John surgery. He was cleared to start throwing in December, according to MASNsports.com. Rosenbaum has a 3.12 ERA over six seasons in the minors.

Wright: ‘I’m 100 percent confident I will be physically ready to go’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:23 am ET) Mets third baseman David Wright, who was plagued by a left shoulder injury for a good portion of the 2014 season, is swinging a bat again pain-free and is happy with the progress he is making after missing the final weeks of the season.

“I feel really good,” Wright told the New York Post. “I’m 100 percent confident that I will be physically ready to go.”

Wright, whose injury was diagnosed as a rotator cuff contusion, failed to make the All-Star team last season for just the second time since 2006. He hit .269 with a career-low eight home runs in 134 games. Wright even had 14 home runs in 69 games as a rookie in 2004.

“For me, personally, last year sucked,” Wright said. “When you have a passion for something and you fail at it, I want to make sure that never happens again. If I do what I’m capable of doing, we’re a different lineup.

“I feel good. Now it’s just a matter of me trying to get my left shoulder on a par with my right shoulder, just strength-wise. I feel pain-free, which is good, feel like the shoulder is healthy, and now it is just a matter of building up that strength.”

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis gets one-year, $4.25 million deal
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/13/2015) The Dodgers agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with catcher A.J. Ellis, avoiding arbitration, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Ellis, who is expected to play a backup role to Yasmani Grandal in 2015, has averaged 114 games over the last three seasons for the Dodgers. He struggled in 2014, batting just .191 with three home runs and 25 RBI in 93 games.

Marlins agree to minor-league deal with Nick Masset
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/13/2015) The Marlins have agreed to a minor-league contract with reliever Nick Masset, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 32-year-old Masset went 2-0 with a 5.80 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 51 relief appearances for the Rockies in 2014. He had 36 strikeouts in 45 innings.

Orioles’ Showalter has been checking in frequently with 3B Machado
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/13/2015) Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday he has kept a dialogue this offseason with third baseman Manny Machado, who is recovering from August knee surgery. Machado will report to Florida on Wednesday to have a checkup on his right knee, per MASNsports.com.

“I get a lot of feedback on him and about him,” Showalter said. “I don’t sit here and go down a list. I’m going to leave him alone. I asked (third base coach) Bobby Dickerson on the phone today, and he said it’s the best he’s felt in a long time right now. It’s good to hear.

“He’s probably not real happy about having to make the trek over here. He doesn’t have to make the trek. It’s completely voluntary. That’s what I told him on the phone.”

Cardinals CF Jon Jay expecting no limitations at start of spring camp
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/13/2015) Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay said Tuesday he was given the green light to begin workouts after having his surgically repaired wrist examined, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“It’s too early to tell when I’ll be 100 percent, but it’s a good thing there are seven weeks until spring,” Jay said. “That extra 10 days (before spring workouts start this year) is huge. I’ve already been working. I feel good. I have the time I need. I expect to be ready.”

Jay, who is lining up to be the team’s starting center fielder, said he expects to participate without limitations at the beginning of spring training.

“Everything looks good,” Jay said. “Getting back to full strength is the next step. I don’t anticipate anything that would slow me down. I’m optimistic.”

Report: Tigers not scouting former Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/13/2015) While several teams were on hand in Tampa to witness former Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando‘s throwing session last week, the Tigers were not one of those teams, sources told MLB.com.

Ogando is coming off a shaky campaign in 2014, going 2-3 with a career-worst 6.84 ERA in 27 relief outings for Texas. He was non-tendered in December, making him a free agent.