Maybe you’ve read that this has been a difficult offseason for the Yankees. Maybe you’ve noticed that some people have already declared them toast in 2013. There’s just one problem with that opinion.

John Maine, who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in two years, will get a chance to revive his career with the Marlins, who have signed the 31-year-old to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

John Maine, who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in two years, will get a chance to revive his career with the Marlins, who have signed the 31-year-old to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Anthony Castrovince contemplates the potential holiday wish lists of all 30 Major League teams.

Raul Ibanez said Sunday he’s been told he’ll get a chance to compete for time at left field, first base and designated hitter with the Mariners in 2013.

Raul Ibanez said Sunday he’s been told he’ll get a chance to compete for time at left field, first base and designated hitter with the Mariners in 2013.

Even though Monday and Tuesday might be off limits for baseball transactions, there’s still the rest of the week, and there’s still plenty of roster renovation to be done throughout the Grand Old Game. And as we’ve already seen this winter, there’s seemingly no limit to the creativity of today’s general managers.

Even though Monday and Tuesday might be off limits for baseball transactions, there’s still the rest of the week, and there’s still plenty of roster renovation to be done throughout the Grand Old Game. And as we’ve already seen this winter, there’s seemingly no limit to the creativity of today’s general managers.

I covered the Reds in 2005 for MLB.com and, therefore, spent a lot of time around Ryan Freel. He was/is one of my favorite athletes I’ve dealt with in this business, for a number of reasons.

I covered the Reds in 2005 for MLB.com and, therefore, spent a lot of time around Ryan Freel. He was/is one of my favorite athletes I’ve dealt with in this business, for a number of reasons.

MLB.com confirmed that Cleveland has reached an agreement on a four-year contract with Nick Swisher. The deal with the outfielder is pending a physical and is unlikely to be officially announced until after the holiday.

MLB.com confirmed that Cleveland has reached an agreement on a four-year contract with Nick Swisher. The deal with the outfielder is pending a physical and is unlikely to be officially announced until after the holiday.

Former Reds utility player Ryan Freel was found dead in his home of an apparent suicide on Saturday, the Jacksonville, Fla., sheriff’s office told the Florida Times-Union.

Outfielder Raul Ibanez, who has played in two prior stints with the Mariners, has signed a one-year deal to return to Seattle once more, according to a club source.

There has been “a little bit of progress” made between free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche and the Nationals in the last week, according to a baseball source familiar with the negotiations.

A deal that sends Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox was said to be close to done on Saturday evening, with first baseman Jerry Sands and right-hander Stolmy Pimentel part of the package going back to Pittsburgh, baseball sources told MLB.com.

The D-backs agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent outfielder Cody Ross on Saturday.