The days of Ty Howington, Ryan Wagner and Chris Gruler have been put in the past. With the Reds’ more recent track record of developing talent from within, it creates better odds that their 2011 first-rounder, pitcher Robert Stephenson, will eventually be a big leaguer.

Dodgers past and present will appear and be available for autographs during the club’s FanFest presented by State Farm on Jan. 26 at Dodger Stadium.

The Rangers reached an agreement with catcher A.J. Pierzynski on a one-year contract worth $7.5 million on Thursday, according to a source. An announcement is expected Friday after Pierzynski undergoes a physical in Arlington.

As the offseason moves toward Spring Training, the pressing question will be exactly how the Reds will go about transitioning Aroldis Chapman from a successful closer to a starting pitcher while protecting his arm and their $30 million investment.

The Red Sox on Thursday announced a number of promotions and hires within their baseball operations department.

Wednesday’s trade of Jason Vargas for Angels first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales helps the Mariners’ offense, but creates a hole in the rotation that GM Jack Zduriencik can still look to fill either through free agency or another trade.

Although the Tigers didn’t achieve the ultimate goal they wanted in 2012, their second World Series appearance in seven years ended up being an awfully good destination for a team that stood three games out of a playoff spot with 15 games left in the regular season.

Commissioner Bud Selig has previously stated his intention to retire, yet he has subsequently remained at his post. But on Wednesday, when he reiterated his plan to retire, he did so more directly than he has in the past.

Adam Greenberg, who was hit in the head in his first Major League plate appearance in 2005 and struck out in one at-bat with the Marlins last season, signed a Minor League contract with the Orioles on Thursday.

The Cardinals have added to their catching depth by reaching a Minor League agreement with 28-year-old backstop J.R. Towles. The club will provide an official comment after Towles signs a contract.

The arrival of a new year means a new baseball season is around the corner. Count the Indians among the ballclubs who are looking forward to officially turning the page on 2012 and focusing on the months ahead. Cleveland is faced with a big challenge, and that is just fine with new manager Terry Francona.

Following an unprecedented flurry of offseason activity, there’s a renewed appetite for baseball in the city of Toronto.

The Brewers have agreed to terms with left-hander Tom Gorzelanny on a two-year contract pending a physical exam, two sources confirmed Thursday. The club did not comment on an agreement first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

On a cool but humid Chesapeake night this past May at Camden Yards, former Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton turned in one of the greatest performances in the history of the game.

Yankees captain Derek Jeter on Wednesday phoned the mother of Victoria Soto, the Sandy Hook elementary teacher who died last week in Newtown, Conn., attempting to shield her students from gunfire to offer his condolences.

Scratch third base off the Marlins’ winter shopping list. On Thursday afternoon, Miami announced the signing of free agent Placido Polanco, a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner. After passing his physical, the 37-year-old signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract.

In a picked-over market starved for starting pitching sits Kyle Lohse — tempting in that he’s been a reliable pitch-to-contact innings-eater, alarming in that his cost threatens to exceed the value of those abilities.