Who knows how this will all work out. The Pirates’ winning bid on Korean infielder Jung-Ho Kang is an intriguing development, if not yet a Disney movie.

New National Joe Ross joins an organization that has a plethora of pitching in the Major Leagues and the farm system, and he can’t wait for his chance to compete.

The second half of the 2014/2015 Australian Baseball League season saw the first-place Adelaide Bite extend their lead in the standings by sweeping the Sydney Blue Sox. Canberra caught Brisbane in the standings by taking three of four from the Bandits and the Perth Heat finished a busy week in Melbourne by taking three of five from the Aces.

Marco Scutaro’s future with the Giants appears to be questionable after general manager Brian Sabean announced Monday that the second baseman recently underwent back surgery in Miami.

The Giants officially re-signed right-handed relief pitcher Sergio Romo on Monday. Romo, 31, spurned apparently better offers in free agency to stay with the Giants on a two-year, $15 million deal.

Right-hander Phil Hughes threw a first-pitch strike 72.5 percent of the time in 2014, tops in baseball. Strikeouts and walks don’t tell the whole story of his professional rebirth in the Twin Cities, but they say plenty.

San Diego and Josh Johnson agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract Monday, according to Yahoo, and bonuses can take the deal to $7.25 million. The club has not confirmed the report.

The Hot Stove season simply would not slow down last week. General managers apparently did not need a break after the Winter Meetings, as major deals continued to be consummated virtually every day. Here are the most notable changes in fantasy values from another head-spinning week of transactions.

Clubs in the American League West have been relatively quiet this winter as they try to build on their success of the 2014 season. Here’s a team-by-team glance at what’s happened in the division so far this winter, and what remains to be done.

The Twins finalized a contract extension with right-hander Phil Hughes through the 2019 season on Monday.

The approach of Christmas and the end of the year also signals the end of the winter ball regular season in Latin America. The season ended Sunday in the Dominican Republic and leagues throughout the rest of Latin America will also reach their conclusion in the next two weeks.

One way or another come April 6, when the 2015 season opens vs. the Pirates, the Reds will have someone standing in left field when the first pitch is delivered at Great American Ball Park. Who that player shall be, and whether or not he will be a lineup difference maker, remains a very fluid situation.

The Pirates submitted the high bid of $5 million for Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang, formally accepted Monday by the Nexen Heroes to start the negotiating clock for the hard-hitting infielder.

Managing the workload of reliever Ian Krol could be the answer to the Tigers’ bullpen needs.

The offseason trading frenzy has been exciting, if a bit dizzying. There might be more yet to come, but for the time being, I figured it made sense to make this week’s Inbox all trade-related. Goodness knows, we have enough to talk about.

One aspect underlies Bud Selig and has informed each and every decision he has made in 22-plus years as Commissioner: He is a baseball fan. He loves the game.

So far, Jeff Bridich has resisted the temptation of tearing the team apart. He listens to proposals from other teams, waiting for one he feels is fair, but finding that most of his peers are looking to take advantage of frustrations that grow out of a 96-loss season. Bridich so far hasn’t had any problem saying “no.”