The Padres’ family bid a fond farewell Monday to longtime Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman with a short tribute and a moment of silence in front of his statue at Petco Park. These are the stories of some of those who worked the closest with Coleman.

Veteran right-hander Scott Atchison and outfielder Jeff Francoeur are the latest players to be added to Cleveland’s growing list of bullpen and bench candidates. On Monday, Cleveland padded its depth chart by signing each player to a Minor League contract with an invitation to attend Spring Training with the Tribe.

The Giants have a hand in hastening baseball’s steady growth across the globe. Hensley Meulens and Joe Lefebvre, the club’s Major League hitting instructors, participated last month in the 27th European Coach Clinic held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

On the eve of the 2014 Hall of Fame announcement, former Braves catcher and current bullpen coach Eddie Perez reflects on Greg Maddux, for whom he was behind the plate more than any other backstop in the pitcher’s glorious career.

From 1990-97, Frank Thomas made hitting look as easy as any hitter in the game. But the long line of setbacks that set the stage for his baby-faced assault on the American League demonstrate that baseball was never really the gift it might have seemed.

This offseason, general manager Ned Colletti has strengthened the Dodgers’ bullpen in hopes of the team repeating as National League West champions. In 2013, the Dodgers often struggled offensively, costing them many victories. So far this offseason, Colletti hasn’t done anything to strengthen the offense, and this may represent a problem for the Dodgers in 2014.

A candid Jeff Bagwell sounded at peace with himself and his surroundings during a rare interview Monday with MLB.com, just two days before the slugger who occupied first base for the Astros for 15 years finds out if he made the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his fourth time on the ballot.

Gordon Beckham doesn’t seem to be included in discussions of the White Sox core, but the 27-year-old has accepted the learning process from each season since his 2009 breakout and feels he’s in a good spot.

Just like last winter, the Reds wouldn’t mind locking up starting pitcher Homer Bailey long term. And just like last winter, it will be easier said than done. Bailey, a 27-year-old power right-hander with two no-hitters on his resume, is third-year arbitration eligible and can become a first-time free agent after the 2014 season.

Don Mattingly and the Dodgers are making progress on a contract extension that would remove his lame-duck status as the team’s manager, according to reports from FOXSports.com and the Los Angeles Times.

After sitting out last year, utilityman Ryan Theriot has reportedly decided to call it a career.

Marlins position players report to Spring Training on Feb. 20, but that hasn’t stopped Christian Yelich from getting a head start. Since shortly before Christmas, Yelich has been doing basic baseball drills — hitting, throwing, running and fielding.

Major League Baseball announced on Monday that New York will host the third annual Diversity Business Summit, an event dreamed up by MLB executive Wendy Lewis that provides unprecedented access to the business of baseball.

Cooperstown could be calling for several greats this year when the Hall of Fame voting results are announced at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday on MLB.com and MLB Network, plus the free-agent market is still going strong with plenty to of moves to still be made.

In addition to quarterbacking Florida State in the BCS National Championship on Monday, Jameis Winston is also looking ahead to the spring, when he can split time between football practice and playing baseball for the Seminoles. His long-term vision is to play both sports professionally.

Jerry Coleman’s death on Sunday took away one of the foremost gentlemen in the game, one of the finest, most wholesome people anywhere.

Bobby Abreu belted a grand slam to help power Caracas past La Guaira 11-1 in Venezuela Winter League action on Sunday. Victor Garate tossed 4 1/3 stellar innings, allowing zero runs and fanning six batters in the victory.