According to reports, the Cubs are talking to the D-backs about a possible trade for left-handed-hitting catcher Miguel Montero.

If there’s a silver lining to Dick Allen and Tony Oliva missing the Hall of Fame cut on Monday, it’s that when this fickle committee votes again in three years their chances should be even greater. Allen should be in the Hall of Fame. Period.

As media members and rival executives were discussing various hot topics, including potential trades involving Justin Upton and Evan Gattis, Braves president of baseball operations John Hart and his staff were discussing ways to fill out their 2015 roster and strengthen the organization’s future.

It’s been widely assumed that at some point this offseason, the Reds would have to move one of their four starting pitchers approaching free agency — either to trade for or sign the left fielder they need. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty certainly didn’t dispute that assumption Monday on the first day of the Winter Meetings.

The Tigers usually cast a wide net at the Winter Meetings on many fronts. It’s early, but their approach this year leans pretty heavily towards the trade front.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, who missed the final seven weeks of the regular season with inflammation in his right elbow, began his offseason throwing program on Monday with 25 throws from 50 feet. That was in Arlington. Out on the West Coast, Rangers officials were still busy trying to find someone to join Darvish in next season’s rotation.

The Indians wasted no time in making some noise at this year’s Winter Meetings. On Monday morning, Cleveland finalized a trade with Oakland to land slugger Brandon Moss in exchange for Minor League infield prospect Joe Wendle, sources confirmed to MLB.com. The Indians have not yet confirmed the deal, which has been in the works for the past week.

While talk circulated quickly around the start of the Winter Meetings that the Mariners were zeroing in on a deal with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, word emerged Monday afternoon that the two sides weren’t that close and the club was widening its search for a right fielder.

The D-backs on Monday formally announced the signing of Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas to a six-year, $68.5 million deal that includes an opt-out after four years.

SAN DIEGO — In what appears to be a big step in securing the future of baseball in the Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and the Rays have reached an agreement to let the team search for a new stadium in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. In exchange, the Rays would make payments to St. Petersburg if the team leaves Tropicana Field before its contract expires in 2027.

The Orioles’ main priority at the Winter Meetings is adding an outfielder — preferably a left-handed bat — and the club continued to strategize and move in the right direction toward making that happen Monday.

Madison Bumgarner has accumulated awards during offseason as if they were postseason innings. But the Giants left-hander’s latest accolade might be his most prestigious. Sports Illustrated magazine named Bumgarner its Sportsman of the Year for 2014 on Monday morning. He’s the first Giant to earn the distinction.

No one was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday by the museum’s Golden Era Committee. Tony Oliva and Dick Allen came the closest, each receiving 11 of 16 votes, one shy of the 75 percent needed for election.

As much as the Indians might like this trade today, they’re probably going to like it even more next summer. Aren’t those the best kind? First, Brandon Moss is a nice fit in the lineup. That’s the easy part to figure out after the Indians acquired him from the A’s for Minor League infielder Joe Wendle on Monday.

Most of the focus on the Cubs’ pursuit of free agents has been on Jon Lester, but Jason Hammel is close to returning to Wrigley Field on a two-year deal reportedly worth $18 million.

With plenty of business taken care of in the rear-view mirror, the Rays will continue to move forward when the annual Winter Meetings officially begin on the San Diego bayfront. Matt Silverman will be knee-deep in the action.

Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos has filled a number of holes on his roster this offseason but his relief corps remains a work in progress.