The Blue Jays’ winter of high-profile acquisitions made them a trendy favorite to win the American League East, but arguments can be made for the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Orioles as well. Only one thing is certain: The competition in the division will be stiff in 2013.

If the offseason reports and trade rumors are true, highly-regarded Texas Rangers prospect Mike Olt was at the center of many conversations. After having seen Olt play, the interest is totally understandable.

From Hall of Famers Oscar Charleston and Bullet Rogan to Larry Doby and Monte Irvin, some of black baseball’s all-time greats also served in U.S. armed forces.

The Pirates on Thursday came to terms with their two remaining players eligible for arbitration, agreeing to one-year contracts with second baseman Neil Walker and right-handed starter James McDonald.

Major League Baseball, which had been investigating suspected links between an alleged steroids supplier, a Florida health clinic and several players, will expand its investigation based on reporting done by the Miami New Times, an industry source confirmed.

The World Anti-Doping Agency on Thursday issued a statement endorsing Major League Baseball’s expanded drug testing put in place for the 2013 season.

The D-backs acquired Martin Prado as the centerpiece of the Justin Upton trade with the expectation that they could lock him up with a long-term contract extension. They took care of that Thursday, as Prado agreed to a four-year contract through 2016.

The Yankees announced Thursday that they have invited 44 players — including infielder Dan Johnson, outfielders Matt Diaz, Thomas Neal and Juan Rivera and catcher Bobby Wilson — to Major League Spring Training, with 84 total players scheduled to report in February.

The lawyer for Cubs closer Carlos Marmol said his client is innocent of an accusation of abuse against a woman in the Dominican Republic.

Pitcher Cody Buckel, who this week was named the No. 87 overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com, is among four players from within the Rangers’ farm system not on the 40-man roster who have been invited to Major League camp.

The Red Sox have their first-base insurance policy. Veteran Lyle Overbay has been signed to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league camp, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com on Thursday.

Former Major Leaguer and D-backs TV analyst Mark Grace has been sentenced to four months in jail under a work-release program, according to The Associated Press.

On Thursday, the Indians signed former closer Matt Capps to a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to attend Spring Training with the big league club.

There have been only 67 documented players who have played in the NFL and also Major League Baseball. There were 11 two-sport athletes in 1920, the first year of the NFL, including George Halas and Jim Thorpe.

The 2012 season offered two blueprints for how to handle young pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery. Now, the twins must decide which one to follow for top prospect Kyle Gibson.

If this winter’s trade for Shin-Soo Choo pans out for the Reds like they expect, Cincinnati could have one very productive outfield, offensively. That will be especially important, because they do not exactly know just yet what they will be getting defensively.

The Dodgers on Thursday announced the launch of a comprehensive engagement program that will reward fans for supporting the club online, via social media and at Dodger Stadium.