While the top of the market remained on a steady simmer, the fringes of free agency continued to feed the hunger for news as the Winter Meetings worked through a third day Wednesday in relatively quiet fashion, at least when it comes to big-name deals.

While the top of the market remained on a steady simmer, the fringes of free agency continued to feed the hunger for news as the Winter Meetings worked through a third day Wednesday in relatively quiet fashion, at least when it comes to big-name deals.

Veteran starting pitcher Jeff Francis agreed to a one-year Major League contract with the Rockies on Wednesday, sealing his return to the club with which he has spent most of his career. The deal was first reported by ESPN.com and is pending a physical.

Veteran starting pitcher Jeff Francis agreed to a one-year Major League contract with the Rockies on Wednesday, sealing his return to the club with which he has spent most of his career. The deal was first reported by ESPN.com and is pending a physical.

The Yankees are used to overindulging in the finest of free-agent players, but they have paid the price for their extravagances and claim they aren’t going to do it anymore.

The Yankees are used to overindulging in the finest of free-agent players, but they have paid the price for their extravagances and claim they aren’t going to do it anymore.

A source has told MLB.com that general manager Ben Cherington and manager John Farrell did meet with Josh Hamilton in person at some point during the Meetings. In other news, Cherington disputed the notion that he’s motivated to trade Jacoby Ellsbury.

A source has told MLB.com that general manager Ben Cherington and manager John Farrell did meet with Josh Hamilton in person at some point during the Meetings. In other news, Cherington disputed the notion that he’s motivated to trade Jacoby Ellsbury.

At some point soon — by the end of the winter, by the end of the week or maybe even by time you’re done reading this article — something big is bound to go down in the American League West.

At some point soon — by the end of the winter, by the end of the week or maybe even by time you’re done reading this article — something big is bound to go down in the American League West.

The Angels made some serious progress with their pitching staff on Wednesday at the Winter Meetings, signing reliever Sean Burnett to a two-year deal and closing in on free-agent starter Joe Blanton.

The Angels made some serious progress with their pitching staff on Wednesday at the Winter Meetings, signing reliever Sean Burnett to a two-year deal and closing in on free-agent starter Joe Blanton.

The White Sox have found their man at third base, reportedly agreeing to a three-year contract with free agent Jeff Keppinger.

The White Sox have found their man at third base, reportedly agreeing to a three-year contract with free agent Jeff Keppinger.

The Rockies acquired right-hander Wilton Lopez and a player to be named or cash from the Astros on Tuesday night for righty starter Alex White and Minor League right-hander Alex Gillingham.

While the baseball world continues to wonder where free-agent outfielders Josh Hamilton and Michael Bourn might land, the Braves feel even better about the fact that they signed their new center fielder, B.J. Upton, before arriving for this year’s Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Less than a week after the Astros nearly dealt Wilton Lopez to the Phillies, Houston traded the reliever to the Rockies on Tuesday for right-handers Alex White and Alex Gillingham.