The Cardinals and David Freese were headed toward an arbitration hearing this month before agreeing on a one-year deal for 2013. The agreement was announced Friday afternoon.

The Marlins are continuing to add players with something to prove, with the latest being the versatile Chone Figgins, who on Friday signed a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

The Orioles bolstered their pitching depth on Friday by claiming right-hander Todd Redmond off waivers from the Reds.

The relief corps has been a strength for Cleveland over the past few years. That aspect of the Indians’ roster is expected to once again be reliable with the combination of newcomers and holdovers slated to be in camp this spring.

The Dodgers added to the bullpen by signing pitcher Mark Lowe to a Minor League contract. Lowe was 0-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 36 appearances for the Rangers in 2013.

Who will be this season’s Orioles and A’s, teams that will earn a playoff spot after falling below .500 a year earlier? Columnist Matthew Leach has picked five to watch in 2013.

Bruce Hurst, who starred in Boston and San Diego during the 1980s and early ’90s, is now part of Major League Baseball’s foray into the international growth of the sport.

With camps set to open across Florida and Arizona next week, it’s worth noting that there are dozens of remaining free agents still looking for jobs. Teams that are smart enough and lucky enough strike a deal with the right ones by keeping an eye on that market.

Chipper Jones of the Braves and Michael Young of the Rangers became synonymous with their organizations, but both teams must find a way this spring to fill the void left by the departed veteran leaders.

Formerly one of the most feared pitchers in the game, Mark Prior has spent the majority of the last decade attempting to get back to the Majors. But though he hasn’t had the results he’s wanted, that’s not to say he hasn’t found a sort of peace in the quest.

The Nationals’ blend of power, speed, experience and upside and their depth in all the major facets of the game is about as good as one could hope for going into a season. Manager Davey Johnson has said he plans to retire at the end of 2013, and this club gives him a real shot at retiring on top.

James Shields, who joined the Rays after being selected by the team in the 16th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, can now look back and reflect on his journey — a trip through the years with the only organization he has known in his professional baseball life.

Douglas Clark, quien dio el jonrón decisivo vs. los Leones del Escogido (México) en el inning 18 del último partido de la Serie del Caribe para darle la corona a los Yaquis de Obregón (México) el viernes en la madrugada, fue nombrado el Jugador Más Valioso de la final del torneo.

El maratón de 18 entradas conquistado por los Yaquis de Obregón (México) por 4-3 sobre los Leones del Escogido (República Dominicana) empató el récord de innings para un juego del Clásico Caribeño. También se jugaron 18 episodos el 2 de febrero del 2007 en un partido entre los Tigres de Aragua (Venezuela) y las Aguilas Cibaeñas (República Dominicana).

Douglas Clark bateó un cuadrangular en la parte alta de la 18ava entrada y los Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón, México, derrotaron con pizarra de 4-3 a los dominicanos Leones del Escogido en un dramático juego para coronarse Campeones de la Serie del Caribe 2013.

Cuando Miguel Tejada empujó con sencillo a Jordany Valdespín en la madrugada del viernes para empatar la final de la Serie del Caribe a tres carreras por bando en el inning número 14, amplió su propia marca de empujadas de por vida en Clásicos Caribeños al llegar a 47.

Doug Clark’s 18th-inning homer gave Mexico’s Yaquis de Obregon their second title in three years, as they defeated the Dominican Republic, 4-3. The 18 innings tied the record for the longest Caribbean Series game, originally set in 2007, and the 21 pitchers used set a new mark.