Anthony Rizzo made a point of reaching out to Rick Renteria shortly after he was dismissed as the Cubs manager, but also has talked with new skipper Joe Maddon and can’t wait to start working with him. Rizzo, who was in Chicago on Friday to promote his first “Laugh Off for Cancer” event Jan. 15, said the addition of Maddon was “exciting news.”

Jose Abreu had a great first season in North America, winning American League Rookie of the Year Award honors. He’s likely to be an even more impressive hitter for the White Sox next season. He just might make an even stronger run to be the MVP in the AL than last season, when he finished fourth. One way or another, he’ll thank general manager Rick Hahn for giving him the gift of Adam LaRoche.

Padres GM A.J. Preller was in Miami on Friday to meet with Gustavo Vazquez, the agent for free-agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval. He was then expected to fly to the Dominican Republic on Saturday to meet with the agent for Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, a baseball source told MLB.com.

A buzz is building around Marlins Park since the record-setting signing of Giancarlo Stanton on Wednesday. As the story remains hot on the news cycle, the organization is looking to ride the momentum.

The Tampa Bay Rays have whittled their managerial candidates list from 10 to three, and Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash remains in play.

The Dodgers beefed up their needy bullpen on Thursday night, acquiring veteran right-hander Joel Peralta and Minor League lefty Adam Liberatore from the Rays in exchange for right-handers Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris.

Alex Avila isn’t sure whether a change of masks will change his fortunes when it comes to concussions. At this point, however, he’s willing to consider it.

Alex Anthopoulos rarely shows his hand, but even Toronto’s general manager must have realized there’s no point in hiding that Dioner Navarro is on the trading block.

Though they are not currently positioned to provide the financial riches Jon Lester and Cuban sensation Yasmany Tomas will soon receive, the Braves have not ruled out the possibility of signing at least one of these top-tier free agents.

Say this much about first-year Padres general manager A.J. Preller: He’s apparently leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of offensive help. Now it appears the Padres may have interest in Reds outfielder Jay Bruce.

The competition to sign Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas is heating up. The Braves and Padres have emerged as the front-runners in the Tomas sweepstakes and top officials from both clubs are expected to meet with him this weekend in the Dominican Republic, according to industry sources.

Reds outfielder Jay Bruce’s agent affirmed his client’s “desire to remain a Red for life” amid a report that the team is open to trading the two-time All-Star after he declined a pair of offers for a contract extension earlier this year.

The White Sox are one of three teams inquiring about D-backs catcher Miguel Montero, according to a report Thursday in The Arizona Republic. Montero, 31, is a two-time All-Star who has drawn interest from the crosstown-rival Cubs and Dodgers, as well as the South Siders.

Quite a few things differentiate MLB.com’s Greatness in Baseball Yearly (GIBBY) Awards from other honors given out around the game, but the voting pool may be at the top of the list. It’s not just media, not just fans, not just club employees. It’s a group taken from all facets of baseball.

Before making it to the big leagues, the obvious ultimate goal for any prospect, there is another milestone each hopes to reach: being added to his organization’s 40-man roster. For many, that decision was made Thursday.

The Angels acquired outfielder Daniel Robertson from the Rangers on Thursday in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The Padres tidied up their 40-man roster on Thursday in advance of the Rule 5 Draft next month, pulling off a trade, adding three to the roster while shedding two other players. The Padres traded outfielder Reymond Fuentes to the Royals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Kyle Bartsch. San Diego added outfielder Alex Dickerson, right-handed pitcher Tayron Guerrero and infielder Taylor Lindsey to the 40-man roster. The team also designated two players for assignment — right-handed pitcher Blaine Boyer and outfielder Yeison Asencio.