Jed Lowrie felt wanted in Houston, and the Astros believe that the switch-hitting shortstop can improve the team in 2015 with his hitting, fielding and leadership. The newest Astro addressed the hometown media after the club agreed to terms with the free agent on a three-year deal.

Veteran right-hander Brad Penny has agreed to a Minor League contract with the White Sox, according to multiple reports.

Though it remains likely that the Mets will try to deal a starting pitcher at some point this offseason, general manager Sandy Alderson doesn’t anticipate any potential trade taking place until at least January.

Two developments on Monday brought a little more clarity to perhaps the fuzziest inset of the 2015 Pirates’ picture: The first-base cast. Free-agent first baseman Michael Morse reached a two-year agreement with the Marlins, who reportedly had prior trade interest in Pedro Alvarez, among others, for that position.

The perfect holiday gift for Major League Baseball fans has just arrived: 2015 MLB.TV Premium. Signups are underway at $129.99 for the yearly gift subscription, and you can even give it to yourself. The recipient will be able to watch every live out-of-market game in the next regular season over more than 400 devices, thanks to the Internet’s longest-running and No. 1 sports streaming product.

Michael Morse does two things for the Miami Marlins, both significant. First, he continues the momentum that began with the signing of Giancarlo Stanton. Second, Morse adds to a team that already looked capable of contending for a postseason berth in 2015.

The White Sox will formally introduce new acquisitions David Robertson and Jeff Samardzija this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. CT during a news conference at U.S. Cellular Field.

Major League Baseball raised more than $175,000 for LUNGevity, the largest national lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization, through an online auction during last week’s Winter Meetings.

The Giants might have to engineer a trade to obtain a third baseman, since the supply of capable free agents at that position dwindled sharply Monday.

Jon Lester, who was in the Red Sox’s farm system when Boston claimed the 2004 World Series trophy and snapped a lengthy title drought, is excited for the opportunity to end an even longer streak with the Cubs.

The Royals have secured the outfield help they’ve been looking for this winter, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran Alex Rios.

Jon Lester couldn’t get No. 31 with the Cubs, so he settled for No. 34 once he got the blessing from Kerry Wood.

The Dodgers sent Minor League right-handed pitcher Craig Stem to the Marlins on Monday to complete the trade that brought them outfielder Kyle Jensen.

The Cubs have an agreement on a one-year deal with free-agent reliever Jason Motte, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical. The club has yet to comment on the agreement.

The 2015 season is in many ways a make-or-break year for the Angels’ Josh Hamilton; proof he can still be a force or an indication that he’ll never be the same again.

The first day Jon Lester became a free agent, the Cubs reached out and sent a 15-minute video about the team, its future and why the left-hander was a good fit. On Monday, Lester officially joined the Cubs, signing a six-year, $155 million contract, the largest in franchise history.

Anthony Varvaro proved to be a solid find when the Braves claimed him off waivers before the start of the 2011 season. But the right-handed reliever might soon find himself as part of a new organization, as Atlanta designated him for assignment to make room for Alberto Callaspo on Monday.