The Dodgers have signed five players to Minor League contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training. Those who agreed to terms were right-handed pitchers Gregory Infante, Hector Correa, Kelvin De La Cruz, Juan Abreu and catcher Wilkin Castillo.

Kevin Youkilis, the former Red Sox mainstay and current free agent, is set to host his annual fundraiser on Dec. 6 at Royale in Boston. Not Your Average Idol, in its third year, raises money to support the third baseman’s foundation, Youk’s Kids. Vanessa Carlton will be this year’s featured musical guest.

The free-agent market makes for good discussion this time of year. But what’s more interesting is watching general managers attempt to work their magic, molding a contender out of raw clay, sometimes in subtle ways.

In recognition of the challenging and often heartbreaking circumstances following superstorm Sandy, the Minor League Baseball community has marshaled its considerable resources into what has been dubbed the “Helping Hand” initiative.

Jon Lester’s battle with cancer was more public than he may have liked it to be, but he learned that he and his story means something to people, and not just because he helped the Red Sox win a World Series. If he could come all the way back, why couldn’t they?

Giving thanks for the year that was in Major League Baseball, including the 74,859,268 fans who attended games — the fifth-best single-season attendance total in Major League Baseball history.

Though the Red Sox haven’t given up on re-signing Cody Ross, on Wednesday they agreed to a contract with free-agent outfielder Jonny Gomes, who has similar credentials.

While new Mariners infielder Robert Andino played mostly second base with the Orioles over the past two years, the 28-year-old considers himself a shortstop first and foremost.

Former big league pitcher Frank Pastore was critically injured in a motorcycle accident Monday on the California freeway.

A small town just south of Pittsburgh gave baseball two of its greatest players — Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr, who were born exactly 49 years apart.

When Mark Buehrle signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the Marlins last December, the veteran left-hander felt he would be with the organization for the long haul. But on Monday, the Gold Glove Award-winning pitcher was traded to the Blue Jays as part of a 12-player deal.

The Dodgers Holiday Tour of Southern California will stop at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Friday, when alumni Ron Cey, Maury Wills and Lou Johnson will participate in a meet-and-greet and autograph signing.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $700,000 contract with outfielder Dewayne Wise.

Koehler organizes camp to raise money for Sandy victims

Rick Porcello had to know as soon as Torii Hunter became a Tiger that his No. 48 would naturally be heading Hunter’s way. He managed to turn it into a positive, and hopefully improve some lives in his storm-damaged home state of New Jersey.

Rick Porcello had to know as soon as Torii Hunter became a Tiger that his No. 48 would naturally be heading Hunter’s way. He managed to turn it into a positive, and hopefully improve some lives in his storm-damaged home state of New Jersey.

All 30 organizations just finished going through the process of deciding which Minor Leaguers to put on their 40-man roster and which to leave unprotected heading into the Rule 5 Draft, and some teams had difficult decisions.