The day that Jim Crane officially became the owner of the Houston Astros, he hinted that several changes were on the way that would benefit Astros fans in 2012.

Categorizing the deal as a risk worth taking, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman heaped praise Monday on catching prospect Jesus Montero, whom he officially dealt to the Mariners in a four-player swap to net pitcher Michael Pineda.

The D-backs claimed catcher Craig Tatum off waivers from the Astros, general manager Kevin Towers announced on Monday.

The Rangers have signed left-handed pitcher Mitch Stetter and right-hander Sean Green to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.

With the Tigers' Victor Martinez expected to need surgery that would sideline him for the 2012 season, the possible names to replace him are piling up.

The Wall: O's Guthrie makes Fan Cave bid

The Indians have a growing problem developing behind the plate. Fortunately, it is the type of problem that many teams probably wish they had at one of the game's prime positions.

The Reds addressed another need for infield depth when they agreed to terms with utility player Willie Harris on a Minor League deal, two sources confirmed to MLB.com on Monday.

Even if Daniel Bard's transition to the rotation goes smoothly, another reliable starting pitcher could make a world of difference for the Red Sox as they enter Spring Training.

Free-agent pitcher Gerardo Concepcion worked out for the Rangers in front of a contingent that included owner Nolan Ryan at the team's complex in the Dominican Republic on Monday, and the club is among the favorites to sign the Cuban left-hander.

Despite A.J. Pierzynski having endured the bumps and bruises of catching at least 1,000 innings for 10 straight seasons, the 35-year-old has no intention of making this upcoming year his last in the Majors.

Katy Feeney has her work cut out for her. Feeney, MLB's Senior Vice President of Scheduling and Club Relations, oversees the creation of MLB's master schedule.

A Brewers spokesperson who was with Ryan Braun over the weekend described the outfielder as "upbeat" in the face of a possible suspension.

A year ago, Trevor May seemed to have a promising future, but there were question marks. He was coming off a season in which he had been dropped from high Class A Clearwater to low Class A Lakewood after posting a 5.01 ERA. Back with Clearwater last year, though, May had an eye-popping 208 strikeouts in 151 1/3 innings, third most in all of Minor League baseball.

From a number of different vantage points and with the utilization of various tools and approaches, it seems quite fair to say that in the switch-hitting universe where Mickey Mantle is the very best, baseball fans today are getting to see two of the next best in Chipper Jones and Lance Berkman.

If there was a dark cloud hanging over Tropicana Field as the 2011 season began, there's nothing but sunshine in Port Charlotte, Fla., where the Rays begin Spring Training in a few weeks.

It should be a fun day, yet an emotional day, for Mike Sweeney when he leads his "Sween Team" into the third All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run on Sunday morning, July 8.