The Padres came to the Winter Meetings looking to add starting pitchers, either through free agency or trades, and wasted no time, coming to terms on a deal with veteran Jason Marquis.

The Yankees are planning to begin the season without third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is headed for surgery on his left hip and could be sidelined until May or June.

The Giants appeared poised Monday to re-sign Angel Pagan, their leadoff hitter and center fielder who commanded ample attention as a free agent, as a team official said a deal was done pending a physical.

Tampa Bay has signed free-agent first baseman James Loney to a one-year deal, according to multiple news reports.

Cliff Lee’s performance in 2012 was not necessarily reflected in the lefty’s win total, as his season was reminiscent of Nolan Ryan’s campaign in 1987.

The Rangers have signed catcher Geovany Soto to a one-year contract, pending a physical.

Brad Lidge, the closer who capped off a perfect 2008 season in Philadelphia with a World Series championship, has reportedly decided to retire.

Baseball has come to the capital of Tennessee for the Winter Meetings. So too has free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton.

Don’t count out the Nationals trying to trade for a pitcher like Rays right-hander James Shields, who has a contract worth $10.2 million for 2013, but could be a free agent if his option is not picked up for ’14.

The headlines over the next few days will be on deals that are completed during the Winter Meetings, but there are the crazy sub-stories that are as much a part of the Winter Meetings lore as trades and free-agent signings.

The Blue Jays enter the Winter Meetings meetings with the main goal of continuing to build pitching depth within their organization.

The Tampa Bay Rays have the one thing every other team craves. They have it in bunches, too, perhaps more than they really need. They’ve got some serious needs, too, so what’s the problem?

A contingent of Yankees executives, led by general manager Brian Cashman, is set to arrive at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on Monday morning. They’ll be checking into their rooms on a mission: The Yankees have some serious needs to fill.

Bidding is under way in an unprecedented MLB.com Auction that will benefit Stand Up To Cancer. Items up for bid include meetings with and autographs from more than a dozen Hall of Famers.

Besides Japanese free agent Kyuji Fujikawa, The Cubs have other items on their wish list at the Winter Meetings this week as they search for a third baseman, an additional outfielder, and more pitching.

General manager Rick Hahn, who was officially promoted from a successful run as the team’s assistant general manager at the start of this offseason, wanted to take care of the White Sox starting rotation first and foremost. Now, the focus turns to figuring out what to do at third base.

Ned Colletti is on the hunt for a top starting pitcher at the Winter Meetings and dodgers.com will be there covering it.