Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel was born and raised in Alabama, played five years with the Braves in Atlanta, and spent one year with the Padres in San Diego. Suffice it to say, the fireballer’s first Boston winter may come as a shock to the system.

With the Phillies in full-on rebuilding mode, it seemed just a matter of time until they found a buyer for closer Ken Giles. That time finally came on Saturday afternoon, when the group of young players changing hands were a bit different than the initially reported stable of prospects.

Before long, Stephen Strasburg will begin what could be his final season with the Nationals, as the right-hander is due to reach free agency at the end of 2016.

It’s been a busy offseason in the prospect world, with top young players being traded left and right. Dansby Swanson, the top pick in the 2015 Draft, was dealt from the D-backs to Braves, and he tops the list of prospects who have been moved since the season’s end.

The Phillies acquired right-hander Charlie Morton from the Pirates in exchange for Minor League right-hander David Whitehead, Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak announced today. Morton’s current contract runs through the 2016 season.

Jerry Dipoto’s makeover of the Mariners continued Saturday as sources confirmed the club has an agreement in place with right-handed reliever Steve Cishek on a two-year contract.

Freddie Freeman may be the only big name the Braves have left, but now that they’ve moved Shelby Miller and Andrelton Simmons, there’s only one thing left to do. It’s time to trade Freeman for as much as they can possibly get.

The action continued the day after the Winter Meetings concluded as teams try to get some items checked off their wishlist before the holidays. Here are some of Friday’s biggest rumors and rumblings:

Friends and family of Bruce Ragland, known affectionately as “Press Gate Bruce,” will pay tribute to him on Dec. 19 when his ashes will be scattered at sea during a celebration of life event off the Ocean Beach Pier.

The Cubs’ landing of free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward on a reported eight-year, $184 million agreement Friday was the first major move in an outfield market that is a major factor in the Rockies’ moves.

Despite never wearing a Giants uniform until he donned a ceremonial jersey during his introductory news conference, Jeff Samardzija displayed expert knowledge about his new team.

Here’s my point: The World Series ended soon after Halloween, and Spring Training remains a couple of months away, but baseball’s momentum continues through the Hot Stove League.

The Cardinals still have choices, good ones actually. So do the Angels and Giants, and all the other teams who believed Jason Heyward would be a perfect fit. Here’s to taking a deep breath and another phase of the free-agent market. This offseason is just hitting its stride.

D-backs managing general partner Ken Kendrick was asked how he celebrated when he got word that Zack Greinke had accepted his six-year, $206.5 million offer. The answer was he didn’t.

For all intents and purposes, Jason Heyward is a corner outfielder. Thing is, his new team, the Cubs, do not need a corner outfielder. They need a center fielder. And chances are, they’re going to ask Heyward to be that guy.

OK, you are a Cardinals fan. As if it wasn’t bad enough that the hated Cubs knocked off the Redbirds in the National League Division Series, but this offseason, the Cubs seem intent on draining what talent they can off the Cardinals’ roster.

Jason Heyward, John Lackey, Ben Zobrist now are Cubs. Who’s next? According to reports, the Cubs are still in the market for another starting pitcher, and may be dangling outfielder Jorge Soler to teams. The Cubs have reportedly had discussions with the Padres regarding Tyson Ross and the Indians about Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar.