The Blue Jays appear more inclined to improve their bullpen through trades as opposed to free agency after spending the past several weeks closely monitoring each market.

The Pirates checked another item off their Winter Meetings shopping list on Wednesday, acquiring left-hander Antonio Bastardo from Philadelphia in return for left-handed prospect Joely Rodriguez.

The Rockies’ effort to improve their starting pitching and the Mets’ effort to move right-hander Dillon Gee sparked reports of a possible deal on Wednesday at the annual Winter Meetings. The rumors heated up when reports emerged that the Mets are interested in lefty reliever Rex Brothers.

The Indians kicked off the Winter Meetings by acquiring Brandon Moss from the A’s on Monday. Terry Francona is thrilled to be reunited with Moss, who also presents a lineup challenge for the skipper with an assortment of players who can cycle through the DH role, while providing depth at first base or the corner outfield spots.

One day after the general manager said the Dodgers were not “dangling” All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon, the club traded him and pitcher Dan Haren to the Miami Marlins for starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, reliever Chris Hatcher, catcher/infielder Austin Barnes and utilityman Enrique Hernandez, sources told MLB.com.

For the first time — at least openly — Angels manager Mike Scioscia is considering moving Mike Trout to the spot occupied by the all-time greats.

With Jon Lester about to get fitted for a Cubs uniform, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington has swiftly moved on to all other avenues of trying to rebuild his rotation. In truth, Cherington had already started working on alternative plans weeks ago, but now he will try to come closer to making them a reality.

Jon Lester’s decision to take a six-year, $155 million deal with the Cubs over an offer from Boston that was $20 million less is one that Ben Cherington completely understood.

Jimmy Rollins is looking to be the first piece to fall in the Phillies’ massive rebuilding project. A source Wednesday afternoon said the Phillies are close to trading Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, although the deal has not been finalized. The teams are still discussing parameters of the trade.

Joe Maddon has proven to be one of the game’s elite managers. But a manager can only do so much. Financial security is great, but a manager has to have the players to get the job done. And the Cubs know that.

The Astros didn’t just get better on Wednesday in ways that can be weighed and measured. They did, but that’s only part of what happened. This was an important day on other levels, too, in the wake of reaching agreements with free-agent relievers Pat Neshek and Luke Gregerson.

Jon Lester’s new deal with the Cubs puts him in the upper echelon among free-agent pitchers. According to reports, Lester’s six-year, $155 million contract with the Cubs includes a signing bonus of $30 million to be paid over the life of the contract and a full no-trade clause. Lester will receive either a $10 million buyout after the 2020 season or a $25 million vesting option for the ’21 season that could bring the total take to $170 million.

The Cubs and Jon Lester have agreed to a six-year, $155 million contract, which means trade discussions regarding Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels are heating up.

The Cubs winning the sweepstakes to sign free-agent pitcher Jon Lester late Tuesday night should have a lasting effect on the Reds — in more ways than one. Of course, Reds hitters will now have to face Lester five to seven times a season as he becomes the ace of the Chicago rotation. And Lester’s reported six-year, $155 million deal also gives the Reds’ front office a sense where the market begins for its own ace — Johnny Cueto — who can become a free agent after 2015.

Free-agent lefty Jon Lester agreed to a six-year, $155 million contract Tuesday that will reunite him with Theo Epstein in Chicago, MLB.com has confirmed. Boston’s last offer to Lester was for six years at $135 million, according to a source.

Late Tuesday, free-agent pitcher Jon Lester picked the Cubs over his former team, the Red Sox, and agreed to a six-year, $155 million contract, the largest in franchise history. The club did not confirm the deal.

The Arizona Fall League announced its 2014 Top Prospects Team, highlighted by league Most Valuable Player Greg Bird and baseball’s top prospect Byron Buxton.