In 2012 Derek Jeter hit an AL-leading 216 hits. It was the most for a shortstop 38 years old or older, and made Jeter the third player in history to lead the league at 38 or older.

Professional baseball players, even amateur players, don’t just walk into offseason workouts with the same routine year to year. Like swing and pitching mechanics, the exercises are almost always fluid through a career.

Logic indicates that Dale Murphy will not receive the increase in votes he needs for election, but a letter from his son and social media have provided hope.

The Cubs have reportedly added two more pitchers to the mix, agreeing to terms with free agents Edwin Jackson and Carlos Villanueva.

The Yankees, long reported to be near a two-year contract with veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, finalized that agreement Wednesday.

The Rockies finalized a one-year, $1.5 million base contract with veteran Jeff Francis on Wednesday as part of their plan to give stability to their season-opening rotation.

The Rangers, while talking publicly about the possibility of committing to young players, are apparently doing some last-minute Christmas shopping among the list of second-tier free agents still sitting on the market.

Looking to improve one of baseball’s lowest-scoring offenses, the Mariners traded pitcher Jason Vargas to the Angels on Wednesday for first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales.

Stephen Drew’s physical with the Red Sox should come “soon,” general manager Ben Cherington said on Wednesday without actually naming Drew.

Outfielder Cody Ross and the Red Sox aren’t talking on a daily basis about a reprise in 2013.

We know how the Blue Jays, with money and prospects to burn, responded to the daunting divisional challenge placed in front of them. They approached it in an alarmingly aggressive way. In the coming weeks, we’ll see if the Mariners take a similar path. But for now, patience seems to remain their prerogative.

The Blue Jays claimed right-hander Mickey Storey off waivers from the Astros on Wednesday.

Just like that, the Toronto has gone from looking bad to looking big and bad. It bodes well for the organization and for the American League East. Here come the Blue Jays, and they are coming in a hurry.

The Tigers on Wednesday announced they have sold the contract of left-hander Adam Wilk to a team in the Korean Baseball League, and the club has also outrighted fellow southpaw Matt Hoffman to Triple-A Toledo.

Ryan Dempster gives the Red Sox someone they believe can go close to 200 innings, and gives the rotation a look that would appear close to final.

Cubs scout Steve Wilson, the team’s Pacific Rim supervisor, saw Jesse Hodges in Seoul, and signed the third baseman to a Minor League contract. You never know where you’ll find the next superstar.

The names Mike Trout and Bryce Harper will remain on our radar throughout 2013 and well beyond.