New Dodgers management continued to bolster the pitching staff Monday by acquiring right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The only conclusion that Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said he’s come to regarding a projected 2015 batting order is that it won’t be decided until a little experimentation can be done. And experimentation, of course, is on hold until spring.

There is an innate desire to declare a trade either a win or a loss for a team in the immediate aftermath of a transaction. The reality is that it can take years, or entire careers, before a deal can be accurately analyzed and a winner determined.

The Mariners are close to signing third baseman Kyle Seager to a seven-year, $100 million extension, according to a source.

After winning their third World Series in five seasons, the Giants’ full postseason shares were worth a record-high $388,605.94, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo believes Astros speedster Delino DeShields Jr. and Braves right-hander Cody Martin are the best Rule 5-eligible players not added to 40-man rosters.

MLB.com’s Jim Callis believes Red Sox outfielder Henry Ramos and and Marlins left-hander Jarlin Garcia are the best Rule 5-eligible players not added to 40-man rosters.

Outfielder Josh Willingham, a lifetime .253 hitter with 195 home runs, is reportedly retiring after 11 Major League seasons split among five clubs.

Inspired by Kansas City’s magical October bond, Royals employee Matt Schulte came out to the world.

The Twins have not been informed they have won the bidding for Korean left-hander Hyeon-jong Yang, according to a Major League source familiar with the situation.

Gary Pettis isn’t the athlete in the family anymore, but his passion for baseball hasn’t waned.

What an era this is for the Red Sox. Has any team undergone so many seismic shifts in such a short time that it’s on the verge of signing Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez for a cool $200 million or so?

For the second consecutive week, Rangers prospect Kellin Deglan drove in more runs than any other Australian Baseball League player, racking up eight RBIs in four games for the Melbourne Aces. The 22-year-old catcher finished the series 7-for-17 with two home runs.

With today’s release of the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, we’ll again debate and discuss dozens of players. Know this: When a player is in this conversation, he’s one of the special ones, someone who helped define his generation.

Pedro Martinez was one of several players with Red Sox ties listed on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, which was released on Monday. The voting results will be announced on Jan. 6.

For a second consecutive year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame player ballot, revealed today in conjunction with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, boasts an embarrassment of riches, this time for the prospective Class of 2015.

The Padres’ fast and furious flirtation with free agent Pablo Sandoval appears to be over, with their big offensive target this offseason reportedly agreeing to a five-year contract with Boston for close to $100 million.