Mike Carp has always known the importance of friends and family, especially around the holidays. But this year, that perspective hits home a little harder for the Mariners outfielder.

In addition to acquiring left-handed reliever Sean Marshall in a trade with the Cubs on Friday, the Reds claimed right-handed reliever Josh Judy off waivers from the Indians.

After being rumored for a few days, the Reds acquired lefty reliever Sean Marshall from the Cubs. Going to Chicago in the deal are left-handed starting pitcher Travis Wood, young outfielder Dave Sappelt and Minor League infielder Ronald Torreyes.

The Dodgers must stop the accelerated sale of future broadcasting rights until a Federal District Judge can rule on FOX's appeal of the proposed auction.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein acquired one starting pitcher on Friday and promised he's not done dealing.

Carlos Beltran has left the Giants, but he didn't leave them without options. With Beltran gone, returning Pablo Sandoval to the third position is the simplest batting-order move the Giants can make, though manager Bruce Bochy may opt to bat him fourth instead.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway can worry about playing time once the new year rolls around.

Dodgers All-Star outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier spent the week before Christmas giving back to the Los Angeles community.

They treasure those "opening" days of holidays past, filled with joy by presents ranging from Jered Weaver's first drum set to Mike Matheny's BB gun to Vinnie Pestano's original PlayStation 2 to Bruce Chen's huge robot in Panama and Drew Storen's two gloves from Dad each year. They hold onto traditions and start new ones as families grow.

It should be no surprise that some of the gifts Yankees manager Joe Girardi most recalls ripping open under the Christmas tree as a young boy in Illinois were his Legos and Lincoln Logs.

It is standard practice for objective observers of the game to view all 30 Major League teams with great interest. But you're going to watch the 2012 Boston Red Sox with absolute fascination.

Rockies radio broadcaster Jerry Schemmel has spent this holiday season reminding fans that they can help children in Kenya and spread the wonder of baseball in the same action.

C.J. Wilson, who is changing from a Rangers uniform to an Angels uniform, is switching sides in what is sure to become an even more lively American League West rivalry. There are other prominent players who have reveled in more than one side of a big-time rivalry.

As the end of the year approaches, many of us are making last-second shopping runs, wrapping presents and looking forward to the coming holiday festivities. That includes the Cincinnati Reds players, many of whom shared favorite holiday traditions and memories at Redsfest.

Joe Block, a 33-year-old from Roseville, Mich., has been announced by NewsRadio 620 WTMJ as the Brewers Radio Network's play-by-play man, replacing Cory Provus.

Nolan Ryan and Co. have a month to sell Yu Darvish on playing for the two-time defending American League champion Rangers. Wherever this drama takes us next, Texas and the division-rival Angels plainly have arrived as the Yankees and Red Sox of the New West, taking their battle for the AL West to unimagined heights.

In October, David Freese channeled Jim Edmonds in the best way possible: reprising his role as the man who delivered the Cardinals' biggest postseason moments.