The Angels’ all out effort to get back into the postseason after a three-year absence must be applauded. But the victory celebrations, just as they were last winter, are a bit on the premature side.

Despite rampant speculation that Josh Hamilton’s arrival in Orange County could prompt the Angels to trade some of their outfield surplus for Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, a deal appears no more likely now than it was at the beginning of the week.

Wade Davis is bigger than James Shields, at 6-foot-5 by an inch and at 225 by 10 pounds, but his output in words is smaller. That was evident when the newest additions to the Royals rotation visited Kansas City this week.

CC and Amber Sabathia staged their second annual holiday party at the Fan Cave in New York, benefitting 52 local kids from the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx.

If it can happen for Josh Hamilton, then maybe it can happen for Michael Bourn. That’s how free agency works. Sometimes, just when a player starts thinking his options have dwindled, something unexpected happens.

Veteran infielder Andres Blanco was among nine players to receive a non-roster invitation to Phillies Spring Training, the club announced on Thursday.

Ben Revere has a reputation as a high-energy, charismatic player. But the Phillies hope he is much more than that. They need him to get on base, score a bunch of runs and catch a lot of baseballs, too.

The Padres and Rays swapped Minor League players on Thursday, with San Diego landing 25-year-old left-handed pitcher Chris Rearick in exchange for infielder Vince Belnome.

Entering 2013, Steve Cishek, the 26-year-old with the sidearm delivery, is the favorite to close for the Marlins. And like all successful closers, he craves that ninth-inning thrill.

The signing of Josh Hamilton was more than a baseball move by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It was a message to fans across the country that the Angels will be a player for years to come.

At the end of this season, Justin Masterson said that keeping his composure was not always as easy as it seemed. But the Indians right-hander believes he has discovered the reason behind his 2012 struggles and is preparing to bounce back in 2013.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan showed up at the club’s annual holiday luncheon with a hoarse voice and feeling under the weather. It was suggested that the news of Zack Greinke signing with the Dodgers made him ill. The luncheon didn’t make him or the Rangers feel any better.

The Brewers’ top free-agent target fell off the board Thursday, when right-hander Ryan Dempster and the Red Sox reached terms on a two-year contract.

The Red Sox and Ryan Dempster reached agreement on Thursday on a two-year deal. The deal is worth $26.5 million, according to multiple reports. The Sox have not confirmed the deal.

Several sources confirmed to MLB.com on Thursday that the former Rangers outfielder is on his way to Southern California, agreeing to terms on what Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and MLB Network first reported to be a five-year, $125 million contract. Joe McDonnell of FOXSportsWest.com originally said the two sides were in serious discussions.

The Orioles officially announced the one-year contract for outfielder Nate McLouth on Thursday.

The Giants have signed free-agent outfielder Andres Torres, a member of the 2010 World Series championship team who was traded to the Mets last winter, to a one-year deal pending a physical.