As rumors swirled on Monday afternoon, the Marlins made their most definitive statement yet regarding the status of Jose Fernandez. Michael Hill, the team’s president of baseball operations, flatly stated the 23-year-old is not available.

To briefly review, the final score for the 2015 season was Ned Yost 1, PECOTA 0. If you want to take a longer perspective, the score over the last three seasons has been: Ned Yost 3, PECOTA 0. But for purposes of impact the 1-0 score in 2015 will be more than sufficient.

Ben Zobrist is expected to make his decision in the next few days, and that should help provide some direction with Daniel Murphy.

Commissioner Rob Manfred, nearing the end of his first year in office, sat down with broadcaster George Grande on Monday at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., to discuss a wide range of issues around the game. Manfred gave his thoughts on such topics as pace of play and the upcoming labor negotiations.

In the last four days, both the Giants (with Samardizija) and the Dodgers (with Iwakuma) filled their rotation voids. The Dodgers also made an impressive financial commitment with the acquisition of closer Aroldis Chapman from the Reds. Johnny Cueto? He was left on the free agent market.

For the second consecutive year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Veterans’ Committee did not elect any new plaque-bearing members and staged a media conference where there was nothing to announce. With yet another empty Veteran’s Committee class, it appears time for that system of induction to be re-evaluted.

It might be beneficial for Ryan Howard and the Phillies to part ways, but the Phillies have had no success moving Howard because of his contract. GM Matt Klentak knows that if Howard remains with the organization, they need to make it work. That’s why he, Howard and Howard’s agent had a meeting just before Thanksgiving.

Joakim Soria is heading back to Kansas City and Chris Young is staying there after agreeing to deals with the Royals. Soria’s deal is reportedly for three years and $25 million, while Young’s is for two years ($4.25 million this year, $5.75 million next year and an $8 million mutual option in 2018 with a $1.5 million buyout and $250,000 roster bonuses each year). Soria’s agreement is pending a physical.

While top-flight pitchers have all come off the board, Johnny Cueto remains patient.

On Monday afternoon, Commissioner Rob Manfred named Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. to be MLB’s special advisor to the Commissioner on youth programs and outreach.

FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal tweeted that utility man Ben Zobrist wants to make the decision at this week’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., and that the Mets, Nationals and Giants are front-runners.

Scrambling after losing Zack Greinke to the D-backs, the Dodgers on Sunday reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma and on Monday reportedly traded for Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman at the Winter Meetings.

The Orioles have agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract with Darren O’Day, MLB.com has confirmed, keeping the most sought-after reliever on the free-agent market in Baltimore through 2019. The club hasn’t confirmed the deal.

What do David Price, Jordan Zimmermann, Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija have in common?

Darren O’Day doesn’t throw hard, wasn’t drafted and isn’t a closer. He’s also a very rich man thanks to his new contract, and he deserves to be, thanks to a fastball that in some ways rivals Aroldis Chapman’s, despite being thrown much, much slower.

Right-hander Darren O’Day has decided to re-sign with the Orioles, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com. The move means the Nationals will continue to search for a setup man and other relievers.

The A’s and right-handed reliever Ryan Madson have agreed to a three-year, $22 million deal, a source confirmed to MLB.com’s Jane Lee.