Carlos Beltran, a six-time All-Star who is coming off an impressive rebound season, agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday evening.

The Cardinals may have gotten a player — Carlos Beltran — who is an absolutely perfect fit for the situation they find themselves in.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez said he was surprised that he was placed on the trade block. After all, Gonzalez, 25, played only two full big league seasons.

The return of Jimmy Rollins to the Philadelphia Phillies for at least three more years gives us a little blast from the past.

The Nationals were able to land a top starting pitcher on Thursday, acquiring left-hander Gio Gonzalez from the A's for pitchers Brad Peacock, Tommy Milone and A.J. Cole and catcher Derek Norris, according to two sources.

A U.S. District Court judge heard two hours of arguments on Thursday in FOX's request of an emergency stay that would block a bankruptcy court ruling allowing the Dodgers to accelerate the sale of their future broadcasting rights.

The Cubs have agreed to a one-year Major League deal with reliever Manuel Corpas, an industry source confirmed to MLB.com.

As Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo sorted through his options this offseason, acquiring pitcher Gio Gonzalez made sense on a number of levels.

The Dodgers Thursday announced their Minor League coaching staffs for 2012 with minimal changes from 2011, when four of the seven affiliates reached the postseason.

The Yankees, who usually lead the offseason spending parade, have been scary quiet this winter. What's going on? Can they repeat as American League East champs by doing nothing?

With Josh Thole's defense at times in question, the Mets on Thursday announced they've brought in a backup who should be able to handle the staff if need arises. Rob Johnson, a 28-year-old defensive specialist, joined the club on a Minor League deal.

We're almost at that point in our program where anticipation turns to anxiety in the free-agent market. This is the time of the year where the free-agent market shifts. Prices drop. Expectations change. For general managers, patience can be rewarded.

For the Reds, who have contending components in place, the trade for Mat Latos is high-risk, high-reward of the highest order. They are going for the gusto, decisively, dancing in the face of some heavy forces in their past by unloading Yonder Alonso, who has star qualities.

David Ortiz's steadying of the ship through the rough waters and his return to the land of big-time numbers has only strengthened his argument to be regarded as probably the second most potent DH the game has seen since that role was introduced into the AL in 1973.

The recent accomplishments of Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and Texas' Neftali Feliz are tremendous indicators of a trend taking place throughout baseball — competitive teams' closers saving a high number of games, and doing it at an early stage in their careers.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura shared the stage at Goodman Theatre in Chicago on Wednesday with 9-year-old Emily Beazley, a cancer patient who stole the show during her Make-A-Wish performance.

The Nationals are close to agreeing to terms with infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com Wednesday.