Despite reports that Hanley Ramirez would oppose a position switch to accommodate free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes, president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest indicated Tuesday that Ramirez remains very much in the team's future plans — with or without Reyes.

While the Red Sox's roster for 2012 remains a work in progress, one thing the club is banking on is a fully recovered Clay Buchholz.

In an attempt to make a splash bigger than anything Flipper ever produced around Biscayne Bay, the Marlins are in the midst of changing just about everything. Their manager, their ballpark, their uniforms, their logo, their name and even their approach to spending.

Dale Sveum's status as a finalist for Boston's managerial opening has been known for two days. However, it continues to be a mystery if the Red Sox have identified their second finalist.

Starting pitching is scarce this winter. That is no secret. With scant few starters available on the free-agent market, many teams have already displayed overlapping interest in the few quality arms available.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin and principal owner Mark Attanasio met Tuesday with the agent for Prince Fielder. This was not a meeting to exchange numbers. Realistically, such a meeting may never happen, because Fielder's contractual requirements will almost certainly price him out of Milwaukee.

Theo Epstein and Boston general manager Ben Cherington have had several conversations regarding compensation to the Red Sox.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he has informed Craig Counsell's agent, Barry Meister, that that he was not planning to offer Counsell a contract to return for a seventh season with the Brewers.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are on the verge of signing off on a new Basic Agreement, sources within the sport said on Tuesday.

When Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington goes to the Dominican Republic at the end of this week to tend to some administrative matters, he will also take time to monitor a workout of highly coveted Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

The Brewers will explore another option for their hole at shortstop on Wednesday when general manager Doug Melvin meets with the representative of free agent Clint Barmes, a player the team has looked at before.

The Cubs will meet Wednesday with Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum about their vacant managerial position. Sveum was already scheduled to travel to Milwaukee to meet with the Red Sox about a their manager job.

General manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday that president of baseball operations Theo Epstein has talked to Kerry Wood about the possibility of returning, and Hoyer has talked to the pitcher's agent, Pat Rooney.

Mark Kotsay's hometown Padres have lured the veteran outfielder back to the West Coast with a one-year contract.

The Reds have shelved plans for Aroldis Chapman to start games in winter ball. However, the club still expects to go forward with Chapman's transition to become a starting pitcher.

The Hot Stove season is under way, though it will be difficult for Padres general manager Josh Byrnes to make many notable moves until he knows if free-agent closer Heath Bell will accept arbitration or not.

Angels GM Jerry Dipoto promised last week that he would pursue the best starting pitchers available and he delivered that message to the agent for free-agent lefty C.J. Wilson.