The most compelling storyline thus far this winter is the free agency of Jon Lester, with as many as five teams in hot pursuit. Where will he land? To help figure it out, we asked our reporters who cover the teams in question to give their best assessment.

During an hour-long question-and-answer session, Dan Duquette explained some of the club’s recent decisions and shed light on his thought process and decision-making.

On Thursday, one day after it was suggested that the Tigers and Red Sox could have the makings for a trade involving Yoenis Cespedes and Rick Porcello, there were reports that the Tigers have received heavy interest from clubs on Porcello and David Price.

Our First-Year Player Draft experts, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, take their first crack at projecting how the top 10 selections in 2015 will unfold.

Interested clubs are being told that free-agent third baseman Chase Headley has received a four-year contract offer worth about $65 million, according to a report.

After finishing second in American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, Detroit’s Victor Martinez can claim the Outstanding DH Award as a consolation.

Could the Padres’ push to get a big bat this offseason be gaining steam? The team has previously been linked to Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, and on Thursday, Foxsports.com reported that if there was such a deal, Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal would likely be a part of it.

On Thursday, Andre Ethier and his wife dedicated the Maggie and Andre Ethier Learning Center at the Union Rescue Mission downtown, where the Dodgers outfielder has worked for nearly a decade to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness in Los Angeles.

Dick Kaegel, entering retirement after covering the Royals for MLB.com, doesn’t talk much about himself, other than to tell humorous stories at his own expense. But the made a lifetime impression on everybody at this workplace, too, in the way he conducted himself on a daily basis for years.

The Cubs announced Thursday that Martinez, 50, will join Maddon’s coaching staff, and that Brandon Hyde, who was the bench coach last season, will shift to first-base coach.

Looking to add to their bullpen depth, the Braves on Thursday announced the signing of right-hander Michael Kohn to a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Travis Ishikawa, the first baseman/left fielder who emerged as one of the Giants’ postseason heroes, agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year, $1.1 million contract. His agent, Jim McDowell, delivered the news in an e-mail to MLB.com. Ishikawa and catcher Hector Sanchez, who agreed to a one-year, $800,000 deal, became the first Giants players eligible for salary arbitration to avoid the process.

Kyle McClellan, a member of the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship club, announced his retirement from professional baseball through a personal Facebook post Thursday following an unsuccessful attempt to return from shoulder surgery.

The Mets rounded out their coaching staff Thursday with a name familiar to hitting coach Kevin Long, naming Pat Roessler their assistant hitting coach.

Starting pitching is the Rockies’ top priority, but the team’s strategy with its catching situation also is being watched closely.

There has been plenty of speculation and little activity for the Marlins leading into the Winter Meetings, which get underway on Monday in San Diego. All may seem quiet publicly, but internally, a number of scenarios and possibilities are in play. They range from extension talks for players like Jose Fernandez and Christian Yelich to a wide variety of trade options.

As a part of an ongoing transition process, Major League Baseball Chief Operating Officer and Commissioner-Elect Rob Manfred today announced a new organizational structure of MLB’s Central Offices and related entities. The changes, which are effective immediately, are being made in anticipation of Manfred’s becoming the 10th Commissioner in the game’s history on Jan. 25.