The Blue Jays' reported pursuit of Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish demonstrates that the time for Toronto to sign and spend aggressively has come.

The D-backs and outfielder Kubel reached agreement on a two-year deal, with an option for a third year.

If the final week of holiday season at the MLB.com Shop is anything like the historic conclusion of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, then this ought to be good.

So you're a general manager, and you went into the offseason hoping to improve your rotation. But C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Yu Darvish proved to be too pricey, and you're not thrilled with the remaining free agents. What to do? Easy. You acquire pitching the old-fashioned way. You trade for it.

Ryan "Scooter" Gennett made a name for himself as a child, and the trend has followed him into adulthood. The young second baseman is emerging as one of the top infield prospects in Milwaukee's organization.

The Orioles have found some of the outfield help they sought, coming to terms on a one-year Major League contract with free agent Endy Chavez, pending a physical.

Initially uncertain about how PirateFest attendance totals might be affected by holding the event in December, the Pirates announced on Sunday that they ended up having near-record crowds at the three-day event.

The Mariners' search for a veteran left-handed reliever apparently has landed on a familiar name, as free agent George Sherrill reportedly agreed to terms with the club on Saturday night.

The top bid for Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish's negotiating rights will exceed the $51.1 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006 as the highest in the history of posting of Japanese players, according to SI.com.

Christmas came early for the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds. Both teams feel they improved their clubs with a stunning five-player deal that includes key starting pitchers and three outstanding, highly regarded former first-round Draft picks.

The Brewers reportedly submitted a winning $2.5 million bid to negotiate with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion with the Yakult Swallows. According to a tweet by Yasuko Yanagita of Hochi Shimbun, the Swallows announced that they accepted the Brewers' bid for Aoki. The Brewers now have negotiating rights for Aoki for the next 30 days.

The Reds finally got the top-of-the-rotation arm they had been searching for on Saturday, acquiring right-hander Mat Latos from the Padres in exchange for right-hander Edinson Volquez and three of the club's top prospects.

It took a little bit longer than maybe some expected, but Jimmy Rollins is staying with the Phillies. The two parties agreed on Saturday to terms on a three-year contract with a vesting option for a fourth year, according to a baseball source.

After apparently dismissing catcher Eli Whiteside earlier this week, the Giants welcomed him back Saturday by signing him to a one-year contract.

Walt Jocketty had expressed frustration with the trade market this winter, and the trade he made on Saturday illustrates exactly why. It's not that Jocketty didn't acquire a prime piece in Mat Latos. But the particularly punitive costs associated with that acquisition illustrate the kind of frustration that leads to desperation.

Having had a chance to rest and strengthen both his back and shoulder this offseason, Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson is approaching 2012 confident.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti announced on Saturday a restructuring of his inner circle, with Vance Lovelace and Rick Ragazzo emerging with new titles and greater influence in Major League player evaluation.