Josh Hamilton's offseason has included some moments of idle thought as he recovers nicely from hernia surgery and prepares for Spring Training, which he said Tuesday he'll be ready for.

With the Phillies and Braves maintaining their position as playoff favorites, and the Marlins and Nationals making big moves to improve, the National League East is threatening to challenge the all-mighty American League East as the strongest in baseball.

In a rapid succession of moves, the Mets fortified their bullpen Tuesday evening, acquiring two free-agent relievers and one via trade. The Mets have signed right-handers Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco to free-agent contracts, and traded for right-hander Ramon Ramirez of the Giants, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation.

D-backs president Derrick Hall is wrapping up his most rewarding year professionally, but a battle with prostate cancer made it a trying one personally.

Following the Orioles' general inactivity during Day 2 at baseball's Winter Meetings, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette remained optimistic in the club's chances of getting something done before leaving Dallas on Thursday morning.

As the baseball world gathers in Dallas, a superstar who has spent more than a decade as a fixture in St. Louis has an attractive option before him: spending the next decade in Miami.

The Rangers finished up the second day of the Winter Meetings with their attention directed toward free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson.

It may seem like some sort of bizarro baseball universe to watch the Yankees sitting on the sidelines while the Marlins chase all the splashy moves, but the developments aren't shocking to Brian Cashman.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak acknowledged on Tuesday that he has fielded calls on starting pitchers Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook, but emphasized that he is not shopping either right-hander.

Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek have been in Boston since 1995 and '97, respectively, but they are both free agents and there aren't necessarily spots for them on the 2012 team.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he met with a handful of clubs at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday looking for "an upgrade, a position player," but that he would listen if a club offered a late-inning reliever.

A's general manager Billy Beane didn't enter the week as a fan of the Winter Meetings, and he won't exit as one when he departs earlier than his colleagues Tuesday night.

The Brewers continued an extremely cautious foray into free agency on Tuesday, but general manager Doug Melvin said he would probably extend at least one formal offer before the Winter Meetings end Thursday.

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman expressed that the Rays continued dialogue with a number of teams and agents on Day 2 of the Winter Meetings, but there has been no significant momentum toward a deal.

Five clubs have hired managers since the regular season ended. Three went with men who have virtually no experience at the big league level: Mike Matheny for the St. Louis Cardinals, Robin Ventura for the Chicago White Sox and Dale Sveum with the Chicago Cubs.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday evening that his team has tendered a new contract offer to Albert Pujols. Mozeliak declined to provide any specifics on the offer, or to illuminate how or whether it differs from the club's offer last winter to Pujols.

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have divided the workload at the Winter Meetings, which Hoyer said has helped them be more productive. And at least one of them has apparently talked to representatives for free agents Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.