Anthony Swarzak signs minor-league deal with Indians
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:51 pm ET) The Indians announced Thursday they signed pitcher Anthony Swarzak to a minor-league contract, which includes an invite to spring training.

Swarzak went 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA in 50 outings (four starts) for the Twins in 2014. He is 16-24 with a 4.48 ERA over five MLB seasons.

Escobar to start at 2B for Nationals, Espinosa returns to utility role
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:47 pm ET) Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday infielder Yunel Escobar, who was acquired in a trade Wednesday with the Athletics, will be the team’s starting second baseman.

Rizzo added Danny Espinosa, who started a team-high 77 games at second base in 2014, will return to a utility role.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo: Ian Desmond ‘is our shortstop’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:26 pm ET) While it doesn’t appear the Nationals have made progress on a long-term deal with shortstop Ian Desmond, it appears he will be the team’s starting shortstop in 2015. General manager Mike Rizzo made that point when talking to the media Thursday after the acquisition of infielder Yunel Escobar, who will be the team’s starting second baseman.

“Ian Desmond is our shortstop,” Rizzo said. “He’s the leader of our team. He’s one of the best shortstops in all of baseball.”

FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal reported earlier this week Desmond was part of a failed three-team trade between the Nationals, Mets and Rays. Rizzo said a trade offer would “have to be pretty elaborate not to have Ian Desmond on this team,” per CSNwashington.com.

The 29-year-old shortstop is entering the final year of his contract.

Cardinals, Lance Lynn agree to three-year, $22 million deal
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:01 pm ET) The Cardinals have agreed to a three-year, $22 million deal with starting pitcher Lance Lynn, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The deal covers Lynn’s final three years of arbitration.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Lance,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “His performance has led to much success for both he and the Cardinals organization, and we look forward to his continued growth as both a pitcher and team leader.”

Lynn won at least 15 games for a third straight season in 2014. The one-time All-Star is 48-26 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 97 career MLB starts. He also is striking out 8.6 batters per nine innings as an MLB starter. 

Rockies co-owner Monfort: Tulo to Mets is ‘not happening’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:47 pm ET) If there was any hope for Mets’ fans seeing shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in a New York uniform next season, Rockies co-owner Charlie Monfort did his best Thursday to shoot down that scenario.

“It’s not happening,” Monfort told the New York Post. “I can’t speak for him, but yeah, we want him. I think he’s strong and he’s worked hard and he’ll be back. He’ll be Tulo of old.”

The Mets and Rockies have engaged in trade talks during the offseason, but haven’t made progress because the Rockies have asked for significant talent in return, including current major-leaguers and prospects, per the Post. The Rockies have also not offered to pay for any of the $118 million Tulowitzki is still owed on his contract through the 2020 season.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported in December that Mets starting pitcher prospect Noah Syndergaard was at the center of the trade talks in a deal for Tulowitzki.

Cubs, Felix Doubront agree to one-year, $1.925M contract
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:26 pm ET) The Cubs avoided arbitration with pitcher Felix Doubront, agreeing to a one-year, $1.925 million contract Thursday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 27-year-old Doubront spent the 2014 season with the Red Sox and Cubs. He went 4-5 with a 5.54 ERA in 21 appearances (14 starts).

Yankees hitting coach Pentland: Gregorius has ‘got a huge future’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:46 am ET) New Yankees hitting coach Jeff Pentland will get to work with a lot of big-name players in his new role, including Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Alex Rodriguez. 

However, one player Pentland appears really excited to work with is shortstop Didi Gregorius, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Diamondbacks. Gregorius is set to replace legendary Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who retired after 20 seasons in the majors.

“He’s got a huge future and I’m very excited he’s a Yankee,” Pentland said of Gregorius, per the New York Daily News. “I’ve always thought there’s a lot in there. We got to get it out and work it. The problem with young players, you have to be more patient.

“But I think this guy has tremendous upside.”

Gregorius, who will turn 25 on Feb. 18, hasn’t had a lot of success offensively at the major-league level. He has just a .243 average, .313 on-base percentage, .366 slugging percentage and .680 OPS in 191 career games. He had a .277/.332/.389/.721 slash line in 507 minor-league games.

Braves have no interest in trading All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:21 am ET) While the Braves have been aggressive this offseason reshaping their roster, which included trades of Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Evan Gattis, one player not on the move is All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, Braves president of baseball operations John Hart told MLB.com.

“We love our core group,” Hart said. “We have added quality players around this group to allow us to compete while strengthening the farm system. We’ve added (Nick) Markakis, (Jason) Grilli, (Jim) Johnson, A.J. (Pierzynski) and others to help us compete this year. We have never entertained trading (Kimbrel) and have had zero conversations with any clubs about Craig. I want him finishing out a World Series win.”

Kimbrel, who was NL Rookie of the Year in 2011, was an All-Star for a fourth straight season in 2014. While he was 0-3 last season, he posted a 1.61 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 47 saves in 54 appearances. He is 15-10 with a 1.43 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in five MLB seasons. He has had at least 42 saves the last four seasons.

Following Gattis trade, outfielder Norichika Aoki on Braves’ radar
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:57 am ET) With the trade of Evan Gattis, outfielder Norichika Aoki is on the Braves’ radar, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The Orioles, Blue Jays and Giants are also among other teams interested in Aoki.

The Braves have a need for another outfielder with the trade of Gattis, per Heyman. The team likes Cuban outfielder Dian Toscano, who they signed this offseason. Heyman also suggests veteran outfielder B.J. Upton might get a fair amount of playing time in the outfield in a chance to showcase the veteran outfielder for a trade.

Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is ‘ready to go’ coming off wrist surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:11 am ET) Red Sox manager John Farrell provided an update to MLB Network Radio on Wednesday regarding Dustin Pedroia, saying the veteran second baseman is “doing great” coming off wrist surgery.

It was then Pedroia’s turn to confirm Farrell’s sentiments by telling WEEI he is progressing well after undergoing surgery in September.

“If [spring training] started tomorrow, I’m ready,” Pedroia said by phone. “I’ve got all my strength back. I’m lifting like a maniac. I’m pretty excited. Last year at this time I couldn’t hit yet. It’s obvious a lot different offseason this year than last year.

“I’m full go. I’ve been throwing, hitting, taking some ground balls. I’m ready to go. … I’m done with the rehab. I haven’t missed a beat. I haven’t had my strength like normal for few years. I’m excited.”

The 31-year-old Pedroia hit just .278 with seven home runs, 33 doubles and 53 RBI in 135 games last season. He has hit fewer than 10 home runs in two straight seasons.