The A’s have a long history of signing Minor League free agents and turning them into prime big league talent. Already, they’ve inked several Minor Leaguers this offseason, all of whom will join a handful of the organization’s top prospects in big league camp next month.

The Angels signed former Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus to a Minor League contract with a Spring Training invitation on Wednesday.

For nearly a decade, Dan Duquette was on the baseball outside, looking in. Now he’s back on top. Duquette has overseen the resurrection of the Orioles, and he is a hot commodity again. There is even speculation he could wind up as the CEO of the American League East-rival Blue Jays, which in itself speaks highly of the respect Duquette has regained. It’s about time.

Manny Machado arrived at Ed Smith Stadium complex Wednesday morning and greeted a few familiar faces in the Orioles’ clubhouse. He walked out to the back fields, took batting practice and ran the bases. Afterward, he spoke excitedly about how long it’s been since he’s been so healthy.

Anybody believing that Giants general manager Brian Sabean has hit the snooze button on this offseason hasn’t paid attention. Sabean believes that time begins on Opening Day, to paraphrase the title of Thomas Boswell’s book. Hence, waiting until mid-January or beyond to acquire a useful performer doesn’t faze the Giants.

After a few days of organized activity this week, the Ed Smith Stadium complex will be relatively empty until Spring Training gets underway in five weeks. But manager Buck Showalter felt the Orioles got quite a bit out of this week’s voluntary three-day minicamp. They saw third baseman Manny Machado check in with a healthy knee, No. 1 prospect Dylan Bundy heading into a year with little-to-no restrictions, both Rule 5 Draft picks and a number of other young pitchers and catchers.

Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner said on Wednesday that he’s happy with the progress his club has made trying to improve so far this offseason, and he wouldn’t dismiss making more significant roster additions before Spring Training opens in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 20.

The Tigers have not faced a salary arbitration ruling since Dave Dombrowski took over as team president/general manager in 2002. That streak is about to be put to the test once again. All four Tigers eligible for arbitration — David Price, J.D. Martinez, Alfredo Simon and Al Alburquerque — officially filed by Tuesday’s deadline.

Former Rays manager Joe Maddon used to say that a player’s face would let you know how he felt. Well, judging from Matt Moore’s face, the left-hander is well on his way to a total recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Don’t expect Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy to weigh in on the immigration debate when he visits Washington next week. He’s excited to simply observe an American tradition that began with George Washington. Citing Lucroy’s charitable efforts, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) invited the All-Star to attend President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, and Lucroy gladly accepted.

Four months after undergoing surgery on his left hand, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is full speed ahead as he prepares for Spring Training.

Deciding to begin his latest comeback in the Venezuelan Winter League, left-hander Johan Santana had a perfect outing for Magallanes on Tuesday, retiring all six batters he faced.

After dealing with left shoulder issues during a disappointing 2014, Mets third baseman David Wright said he’s physically prepared for the ’15 season.

Jung-ho Kang, who is scheduled to undergo a physical on Thursday before he signs his four-year contract with the Pirates, received a frenzied sendoff in South Korea before departing for Pittsburgh.

To identify an outfielder as great as Mike Trout through three Major League seasons, you have to dig into the past. Not since the Golden Era — from the late 1940s into the early 1970s, when giants roamed the landscape — have we seen players rivaling Trout’s total impact.

Star pitchers such as David Price, Jeff Samardzija and Stephen Strasburg were among the 175 Major Leaguers who officially filed for arbitration on Tuesday, the next step toward determining their salaries for the 2015 season.

Carl Long, who broke the Carolina League’s color barrier in 1956, died Monday from an illness resulting from a stroke he suffered last fall. He was 79.