MLB.com youth correspondent Meggie Zahneis recently caught up with Dusty Baker, and she asked the Reds manager the same questions many fans have on their minds.

The Cubs' roller-coaster ride with Carlos Zambrano came to an end Thursday, when the team dealt the volatile right-hander to the Marlins for fellow righty Chris Volstad.

Hisashi Iwakuma, one of the premier pitchers in Japan over the past decade, signed a one-year deal with the Mariners on Thursday and will compete for a spot in the club's starting rotation when Spring Training opens next month.

Those daydreams about free-agent reliever Ryan Madson joining the Angels' bullpen? Put them to rest, general manager Jerry Dipoto said.

With the start of Spring Training a little more than six weeks away, it's looking more and more likely that Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado will be with the Braves when pitchers and catchers report.

The Rockies acquired Chad Tracy, a Minor League power-hitting first baseman and the son of manager Jim Tracy, from the Rangers on Thursday for right-hander Greg Reynolds. Colorado also announced that Casey Blake's one-year deal is official.

Royals slugger Billy Butler will be honored with the 47th annual Hutch Award, recognizing the player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of former Major League player and manager Fred Hutchinson.

The Rangers confirmed Yu Darvish's visit to Arlington, but GM Jon Daniels is adhering to his policy of not commenting about Darvish while negotiations are ongoing.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. sounded relatively chipper early Thursday evening. He had reason to be. He said he received encouraging news on some players that had offseason surgeries, most notably Ryan Howard.

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has settled his legal case stemming from his stop along a Florida highway last February, pleading no contest on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

Nearly a month after coming to terms, Albert Pujols' massive contract with the Angels has been finalized and could reach a total value of up to $268,750,000, according to details gleaned from several reports.

Carlos Zambrano and Ozzie Guillen have been close friends for years. The two are about to find out if they will be a good fit together in Miami. The Marlins rounded out their rotation on Thursday by acquiring the volatile Zambrano, plus cash considerations, from the Cubs for former first-round Draft pick Chris Volstad.

Most clubs sign around 20 Minor League free agents each year. Which of those will step up in a key moment, come out of nowhere to post a career year or fill their role on the team to perfection?

While the top four spots in the D-backs' rotation are set, general manager Kevin Towers is open to adding a veteran arm to compete for the fifth starter's job.

Ryan Sweeney, the other player acquired in the trade that brought All-Star closer Andrew Bailey to Boston, sounds like someone who is going to grow on Red Sox fans in short order.

Carlos Zambrano has a chance to be among a group of players — Jose Reyes, Heath Bell, Mark Buehrle — with an opportunity to help reinvent a franchise. If he can't succeed in this situation with the Marlin, however, he may never succeed.

Reliever LaTroy Hawkins took the liberty of showing up at the Winter Meetings in Dallas this year — something he finds especially beneficial as a veteran of 17 seasons and eight teams — and by being there, he was able to venture into the Angels' suite moments after agreeing on a one-year, $3 million deal with them on Dec. 7.