Thanks to a deal with an old friend, free-agent lefty Jon Lester, Theo Epstein and the Cubs are poised to return to contention well ahead of schedule.

There are still solutions out there. Keep the faith, Red Sox Nation. One door closing might just open another. That’s also true for the Giants. Sometimes the best deals are the ones not made. Welcome to the power of positive thinking, etc. Actually, this isn’t complicated.

The Reds appear willing to listen to trade proposals for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, a source told MLB.com on Tuesday. If available, Chapman could draw considerable interest on the market. A possible destination could be the Marlins, who are seeking pitching. However, there’s been no serious discussion with any specific teams.

The great thing about the Winter Meetings is that every team is involved. No matter who you root for there is going to be some sort of rumor tied to your team every day of the proceedings. With that in mind, here’s a look at one intriguing rumor connected to every team.

Rumors have been swirling this week about the future of longtime Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston, but when it comes to the Winter Meetings, general manager Alex Anthopoulos claims it has been business as normal.

The Chicago White Sox redefined themselves on Monday. Along the way, they redefined the American League Central as well. No team has improved itself more than this one. No team has made itself more relevant.

The D-backs officially announced the signing of Yasmany Tomas on Monday, but there may be more moves in store as the Winter Meetings continue this week. A source confirmed that the D-backs and Cubs were discussing a trade that would send catcher Miguel Montero to Chicago.

Jeff Samardzija is reportedly returning to Chicago, and the White Sox apparently have their sights set on returning to American League Central contention.

A White Sox source told MLB.com Monday night that the team has agreed to a deal with free-agent closer David Robertson.

While there was more buzz than beef on the first official day of the four-day December festival of whispers, rumblings and blockbusters, some major news could be on the horizon at the Winter Meetings.

Monday gave general manager Brian Sabean another opportunity to debunk thoughts of Buster Posey switching from behind the plate to third base, since the Giants have an opening at the latter position.

Pitching remained at the top of the Yankees’ priority list as the Winter Meetings began on Monday, with general manager Brian Cashman continuing to work the phones in pursuit of both starters and relievers.

Free-agent lefty Jon Lester is likely to pick his new team imminently, and he appears poised to become the first major free-agent signing at this year’s Winter Meetings, a source tells MLB.com.

Derek Jeter treated 485 children to a screening of the movie “Annie” and then surprised them with holiday gift bags Monday night at an Upper West Side theater in Manhattan. Included in the bags was a refrigerator magnet that listed “Derek Jeter’s 10 Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams.”

Only Jon Lester, the lefty expected to make a momentous free-agent decision any day now, has popped up in more Winter Meetings conversations than Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.

While keeping star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki abreast of any possible trade negotiations, the Rockies are hearing from other teams about interest in Wilin Rosario, Drew Stubbs, Nolan Arenado and more.

The Cubs appear to be one of at least four teams are believed to be in contention for free-agent left-hander Lester, whose whereabouts have definitely dominated the Winter Meetings.