It’s not just a game. That’s one of the first things the good folks of Cincinnati will discover as they prepare to host the 86th All-Star Game in 2015.

Former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa hosted a 10-minute chat with fans on his YouTube channel Wednesday afternoon, answering questions about his favorite memories in Chicago, whether he feels he belongs in the Hall of Fame and if he would be interested in reuniting with the Cubs organization.

With the offseason quickly fading, the Red Sox have brought in outfielders Jonny Gomes and Shane Victorino to replace Carl Crawford and Cody Ross. Victorino should play every day in right, but that’s not the case for Gomes in front of the Green Monster, leaving in-house options Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava with a real opportunity heading into Spring Training.

Travis d’Arnaud of the Mets and Mike Zunino of the Mariners are the top two on MLB.com’s list of Top 10 catching prospects. Gary Sanchez of the Yankees and Austin Hedges of the Padres are among the best of the long-term prospects.

Amid a large crowd of Reds owners, players, management, fans and local corporate and civic leaders, Cincinnati heard the words Wednesday it has long hoped would come from the mouth of Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. The Reds will get to serve as hosts of the 2015 All-Star Game.

Ben Petrick, the onetime Major League catcher whose bright future in baseball was erased by Parkinson’s disease, survived treatment that almost killed him to become a vocal advocate for research and an author.

Juan Carlos Oviedo, who had 92 saves for the Marlins from 2009-11 while known as Leo Nunez, was among four players to sign a Minor League deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

Despite establishing himself as perhaps the game’s best closer in 2012, Craig Kimbrel thinks he can be even better this upcoming season.

A free agent, former Padres Opening Day starter Tim Stauffer is looking to sign with a team before the start of Spring Training, as the 30-year-old hopes to resume his pitching career.

Closer Jason Motte has inked a two-year contract with the Cardinals that will buy out his final two seasons of arbitration-eligibility. At the end of the deal, Motte will be a free agent.

The bullpen debate around the Tigers began soon after the World Series ended, and it rolls into the final weeks leading into Spring Training. Even when roles begin to be defined in camp, it’ll probably still go on, weighing youth and potential against experience and use.

Ken Griffey Jr., considered by most to be the greatest player to don a Mariners uniform, will be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame on Aug. 10, the team announced Tuesday.

The Brewers have agreed with shortstop Bobby Crosby to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training, the club announced Tuesday.

Most teams nowadays overlook the importance of a good leadoff hitter. In the exciting National League West, no team has a good leadoff hitter.

The Phillies and Delmon Young agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract worth $750,000. The signing screams low-risk, high-reward for the Phillies. Young, who is 27, earned 2012 ALCS MVP honors with the Tigers and hit .267 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs in the regular season.

Nick Hagadone is trying to keep his thoughts focused on what lies ahead. The left-handed pitcher has a growing family to help support and an opportunity to win a job in the Indians’ bullpen this spring.

The Blue Jays put the final piece in place for their 25-man roster on Tuesday morning by signing infielder Mark DeRosa to a one-year contract worth $750,000.