The D-backs have come to terms with reliever Addison Reed on a one-year deal worth $4.875 million plus up to $50,000 in incentives, thus avoiding arbitration.

The Royals have signed veteran right-hander Joe Blanton to a Minor League deal with an invite to Major League Spring Training

The Blue Jays reportedly have won their arbitration case against third baseman Josh Donaldson, who will earn $4.3 million this season, according to a report from CBS Sports. The 29-year-old was seeking $5.725 million in the case that was heard by an independent arbitrator. Toronto has yet to comment on the ruling.

Ask the Mets what their strength is heading into the season and they’ll say it’s their rotation. That begins with Matt Harvey and extends to fellow youngsters Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler. If they can develop into a great rotation, the prospect of October baseball becomes that much more realistic.

The Royals and closer Greg Holland agreed to a one-year deal Friday, thus avoiding arbitration, the club confirmed. The deal is worth $8.25 million, a source told MLB.com.

The Marlins won their arbitration hearing against right-hander David Phelps on Friday and will pay him $1.4 million in 2015, according to the New York Daily News.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels was impress with how manager Jeff Banister captivated hundreds of coaches at a youth clinic this winter. Now, Banister has the chance to do the same with Major League veterans when players report to Spring Training.

James Shields has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave after two seasons, but in doing so the righty would have to forfeit a guaranteed $44 million to be free-agent at age 35.

Every time Pat Gillick thinks he’s out, baseball pulls him back in — this time as president of the Phillies. Which is fitting for a guy who has come back time after time in his storied career.

Less than an hour before their scheduled hearing on Friday, the Reds and All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $8.05 million.

We’re not advocating that MLB should follow the NFL’s lead, merely pointing out that doing so would make college and professional baseball radically different. In that alternate reality, here’s what the preseason All-America team would look like:

“Pitchers and catchers report” are four of the most beautiful words in the English language. As another Spring Training gets underway on Wednesday in Florida and Arizona, we are asking people around Major League Baseball what those four words mean to them.

The first female member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Alison Gordon, died in Toronto on Thursday at age 72. She was a pioneer for women in sports media as the first female beat writer to cover a Major League club.

Truck Day in Major League Baseball is as much a harbinger of spring as the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil. Equipment managers and team staffers, customarily overseen by mascots and a gathering of intrepid fans, load an endless stream of cardboard boxes and pallets onto the team’s 18-wheeler, destined for Spring Training.

The Brewers have to be hoping that Jonathan Lucroy’s strained right hamstring keeps him out no longer than the projected four to six weeks, as he has become a focal point of this club, on the field and in the clubhouse.

Today at 4 p.m. ET, MLB.com’s Fred Zinkie will be discussing all things fantasy baseball during a live Twitter chat at @Fantasy411. Fans can tweet questions now, using the hashtag #fantasy411.

“Since we have this unbelievable complex, if you live in the area, it’s really a no-brainer to show up there and get your stuff done,” said first-year D-backs manager Chip Hale.