Major League Baseball and the Mexican League are working toward an agreement that is expected to increase the number of Mexican players at the upper levels of professional baseball, including the big leagues.

Neil Walker knew the day was coming. At some point, he had come to accept, he would no longer be a Pirate. Would there be a trade, or would he simply walk away as a free agent next year? The day finally came Wednesday, when Walker — the Pittsburgh Kid who’d never spent a day with an organization other than his hometown Pirates — was traded to the Mets for left-hander Jon Niese.

Mark Reynolds’ swing and his career statistics offered clear evidence that signing with the Rockies and playing home games at Coors Field was a prudent move. And a former Rockies star’s recommendation made it a no-brainer.

Jason Heyward’s getting the biggest contract in Cubs history, but the eight-year, $184 million deal makes sense given the long-term potential of manager Joe Maddon’s team and how owner Tom Ricketts has invested in Wrigley Field to awaken a franchise that had been a sleeping giant. There are no guarantees, but the Cubs should be a monster team in 2016 and for many years to come.

The Giants’ newest starting pitcher officially donned the orange and black for the first time Friday afternoon at AT&T Park, as the club introduced right-hander Jeff Samardzija at a news conference.

PGA Tour pro Peter Malnati was in the MLB.com studios on Thursday with wife Alicia to talk baseball, and it would be correct to say that he felt right at home there.

One of the lures for free agents signing with the Cubs has been the desire to be on the team that wins the World Series and ends the century-plus drought. Apparently, Jason Heyward wants to be on that team.

New D-backs ace Zack Greinke was introduced on Friday in Phoenix, positioning Arizona as a team to be reckoned with in the National League in 2016 and beyond.

With a full season of data in the books, MLB Network will present “The Statcast Year in Review” today at 10 p.m. ET. The show will look back at some of the key lessons to be learned from this groundbreaking technology, which offered fans and executives alike a new way to evaluate the game.

One of the busiest weeks on the baseball calendar is in the books as front-office executives, agents and scouts depart Nashville, Tenn., after a lively four days. The week featured a flurry of activity as teams continued to improve and shape their rosters for the upcoming season. Here’s a look at what each team accomplished in Nashville as well as what remains on its offseason to-do list.

Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija, two pitchers who will affect the National League West for years to come, are set to be introduced by their respective teams today during a pair of news conferences.

After losing Zack Greinke to the division-rival D-backs and nearly trading for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, the Dodgers reportedly have entered the mix for Johnny Cueto, according to CBS Sports.

Outfielder Jason Heyward, one of the most sought-after remaining free agents on the market, could decide shortly which team he will sign with for 2016, according to multiple reports.

The Angels acquired veteran infielder Yunel Escobar from the Nationals on Thursday, in a move that could help the club at second or third base. In exchange, hard-throwing reliever Trevor Gott and Minor League pitcher Michael Brady were sent to Washington.

The Nationals are “heavily involved” in trying to acquire free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward, MLB.com confirmed through a source.

The Padres acquired catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Braves for right-hander Casey Kelly and catcher Ricardo Rodriguez on Thursday.

The first two days of the 2015 Baseball Winter Meetings were quiet for the Nationals, but by the time Wednesday night came around, they improved their bullpen by agreeing to terms with two relievers — right-handers Shawn Kelley and Yusmeiro Petit. By Thursday afternoon, as reporters were heading home, the Nats announced they acquired a third reliever — Trevor Gott — along with right-hander Michael Brady from the Angels for Yunel Escobar and cash.