The Winter Meetings are in full swing in Nashville, TN, and a number of deals are announced. The Cubs sign free agent 2B Ben Zobrist to a four-year deal, then trade incumbent Starlin Castro to the Yankees in return for P Adam Warren and a player to be named to clear out a starting spot for him. In another trade, the Diamondbacks acquire Ps Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier from Atlanta, but the price is steep: starting OF Ender Inciarte, SS Dansby Swanson, the top pick in the 2015 amateur draft, and minor league P Aaron Blair. The Cardinals trade OF Jon Jay to San Diego for 2B Jedd Gyorko, the Mariners land P Evan Scribner from Oakland for minor league P Trey Cochran-Gill, while C Tyler Flowers signs with Atlanta for two years and P Mark Lowe joins the Tigers, also on a two-year deal.

ByTom

The Winter Meetings are in full swing in Nashville, TN, and a number of deals are announced. The Cubs sign free agent 2B Ben Zobrist to a four-year deal, then trade incumbent Starlin Castro to the Yankees in return for P Adam Warren and a player to be named to clear out a starting spot for him. In another trade, the Diamondbacks acquire Ps Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier from Atlanta, but the price is steep: starting OF Ender Inciarte, SS Dansby Swanson, the top pick in the 2015 amateur draft, and minor league P Aaron Blair. The Cardinals trade OF Jon Jay to San Diego for 2B Jedd Gyorko, the Mariners land P Evan Scribner from Oakland for minor league P Trey Cochran-Gill, while C Tyler Flowers signs with Atlanta for two years and P Mark Lowe joins the Tigers, also on a two-year deal.

The Diamondbacks obtain right-handed starter Shelby Miller from the Braves for outfielder Ender Inciarte, pitching prospect Aaron Blair, and Dansby Swanson, the first player selected in this year’s MLB June Amateur Draft. The deal marks the first time a #1 overall pick has been traded within the first year of their career, a move made possible because teams are now allowed to trade recently drafted picks after the World Series.

ByTom

The Diamondbacks obtain right-handed starter Shelby Miller from the Braves for outfielder Ender Inciarte, pitching prospect Aaron Blair, and Dansby Swanson, the first player selected in this year’s MLB June Amateur Draft. The deal marks the first time a #1 overall pick has been traded within the first year of their career, a move made possible because teams are now allowed to trade recently drafted picks after the World Series.

A trade between the Reds and Dodgers for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman is held up when a police report emerges that the player fired a gun eight times after a domestic altercation on October 30th. While no charges were made a the time, the incident is still under investigation by police and Chapman also faces a possible suspension under Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy.

ByTom

A trade between the Reds and Dodgers for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman is held up when a police report emerges that the player fired a gun eight times after a domestic altercation on October 30th. While no charges were made a the time, the incident is still under investigation by police and Chapman also faces a possible suspension under Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy.

The Veterans Committee fails to elect any of the ten candidates from the “pre-integration era” up for consideration for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Early baseball pioneer Doc Adams comes closest with 10 votes out of the 12 required.

ByTom

The Veterans Committee fails to elect any of the ten candidates from the “pre-integration era” up for consideration for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Early baseball pioneer Doc Adams comes closest with 10 votes out of the 12 required.

legendary Nancy Faust’s organ who entertained fans for more than 3,000 White Sox is purchased by Red Sox organist Josh Kantor

legendary Nancy Faust’s organ who entertained fans for more than 3,000 White Sox is purchased by Red Sox organist Josh Kantor

ByTom

The organ, played by the legendary Nancy Faust who entertained fans at Old Comiskey Park and the U.S. Cellular Field for more than 3,000 White Sox home games over 41 seasons, is purchased by Red Sox organist Josh Kantor, who grow up in Chicago listening to her renditions of Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye and Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The iconic instrument was put up for bid by the team during their annual holiday charity auction at U.S. Cellular Field.

2015 – Another day, another free agent pitcher signs a huge contract. Today, Jeff Samardzija inks a five-year deal with the Giants worth $90 million. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, follows on the heels of even larger contracts signed by David Price and Zack Greinke in previous days.

ByTom

2015 – Another day, another free agent pitcher signs a huge contract. Today, Jeff Samardzija inks a five-year deal with the Giants worth $90 million. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, follows on the heels of even larger contracts signed by David Price and Zack Greinke in previous days.

The Marlins hire the former steroids-tainted superstar Barry Bonds, who joins the staff of newly hired manager Don Mattingly as the team’s hitting coach. Some see the return of the 51 year-old all-time home king to baseball as a way for him to enhance his Hall of Fame chances, but his presence in Miami may also be beneficial for a 71-91 team that finished next to last in the majors in runs and home runs, and last in walks.

ByTom

The Marlins hire the former steroids-tainted superstar Barry Bonds, who joins the staff of newly hired manager Don Mattingly as the team’s hitting coach. Some see the return of the 51 year-old all-time home king to baseball as a way for him to enhance his Hall of Fame chances, but his presence in Miami may also be beneficial for a 71-91 team that finished next to last in the majors in runs and home runs, and last in walks.

1B Joey Votto of the Reds is named the winner of the Tip O’Neill Award as the top Canadian baseball player for the fifth time in six years.

ByTom

1B Joey Votto of the Reds is named the winner of the Tip O’Neill Award as the top Canadian baseball player for the fifth time in six years.

The Diamondbacks make a splash on the free agent market as they shell out $206 million to sign P Zack Greinke for six years. Greinke’s annual salary of $34.3 million will make him the highest-paid player in the game.

ByTom

The Diamondbacks make a splash on the free agent market as they shell out $206 million to sign P Zack Greinke for six years. Greinke’s annual salary of $34.3 million will make him the highest-paid player in the game.