The Padres talked all week about improving their bullpen, explaining their need for at least one left-hander and someone who can pitch in the late innings to set up closer Huston Street. With the Winter Meetings over, they still have the same goals in mind.

The Tigers found the veteran bullpen arm they were seeking in Joba Chamberlain. The two sides agreed on a one-year deal on Thursday.

The Detroit Tigers, who began their offseason retooling process before the Winter Meetings, used baseball’s annual gathering to complete their offseason shopping.

The Giants acquired the left-field complement they sought and added to their power supply by agreeing with free agent Michael Morse on a one-year contract Thursday morning, pending a physical examination.

Zack Wheeler will take part on Monday at 12:30 p.m. ET in a live online video chat, in which the young Mets right-hander will answer select questions submitted by fans over the upcoming weekend.

Although teams are more reluctant than ever before to part with their top prospects, the Rays will eventually get the blue chippers they covet in a deal for ace David Price.

The free-agent market is thinner than in years past. So if a club has holes to fill, combined with the conviction that it should win now, the trade is back as a primary way to do player personnel business.

To challenge or not to challenge, that will be the question. It will introduce an entire new layer of strategy to in-game management.

There were interesting selections made Thursday in the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings, including a former high school standout, a nephew of a one-time All-Star and a Pro Bowl quarterback.

The Yankees will host a news conference on Friday morning to introduce newly-signed outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

If there’s any chance star NFL quarterback Russell Wilson makes a comeback in baseball, it will now be with the Rangers. In the Triple-A portion of Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft, the Texas organization selected Wilson — the Rockies’ fourth-round choice in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft — from Colorado.

The Cubs swapped outfielders with the Marlins on Thursday, sending Brian Bogusevic to Miami for right-handed-hitting Justin Ruggiano.

The Phillies have agreed to a contract with right-hander Roberto Hernandez, a source confirmed. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday morning at the Winter Meetings that the Phillies had an agreement with a starting pitcher, but he would not mention Hernandez’s name because he has to pass a physical.

Major League Baseball’s Playing Rules Committee overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to eliminate home-plate collisions between runners and catchers.

The Winter Meetings picked up a bit on Tuesday, with one big trade, another less surprising swap and the introduction of one high-profile free-agent signing. But things remained quiet for the Padres.

The Red Sox envision right-hander Clay Buchholz being back at full strength and hopefully ready to pick up where he left off early in 2013, when he pitched like a Cy Young Award candidate.

Though Dustin Pedroia is still recovering from left thumb surgery, the expectation is that he should be fully ready to go by Spring Training.