Most figured Ben Zobrist would be elsewhere in 2015. On Saturday, that speculation came to fruition when the Rays traded one of the most popular players in team history to the A’s. The surprise came in the fact that Yunel Escobar joined him. In return for their shortstop and utility man, the Rays received catcher John Jaso and a pair of prospects, shortstop Daniel Robertson and outfielder Boog Powell.

In the backdrop of Saturday’s news that Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar had been traded to the A’s, the Rays announced that free-agent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera is officially a member of the team.

One of the best parts of every baseball season is watching players emerge and force us to see them in a different light. Sometimes, it happens because something clicks. Or because someone finally had faith in them. So who do you have for 2015?

Approaching his 40th birthday, Nolan Ryan was facing the possibility of undergoing Tommy John surgery. He opted to rehab his right elbow instead and ended up playing seven more seasons and throwing two of his seven career no-hitters.

Even though Craig Biggio played 20 seasons for the Astros and appeared in more games than any other player in franchise history, that didn’t stop more than 1,000 people from filling Union Station and spilling into Minute Maid Park for another glimpse of the soon-to-be Hall of Famer.

Herb Simpson, the last known surviving member of the Seattle Steelheads of the West Coast Negro Baseball League, died Tuesday in New Orleans.

Late Orioles groundskeeper Pat Santarone has been named to the Major League Baseball Groundskeepers Hall of Fame. Santarone joined the Orioles as head groundskeeper in 1969 and spent 22 seasons at Memorial Stadium before retiring on Opening Day of 1991. During that time the Orioles won five American League pennants and two World Series, and fielded 25 AL Gold Glovers.

The Giants’ assignment of Jose Alguacil to manage their Double-A Richmond affiliate demonstrated their lofty opinion of him.

It’s become a winter tradition for the Canadian amateur baseball community — a cold-weather gathering for individuals and associations whose contributions are made largely during the summer months. The 3rd Annual Blue Jays Baseball Academy National Coaching Clinic, taking place this weekend, is an opportunity for coaches from coast to coast to meet on the field at Rogers Centre and participate in drills while working toward their NCCP Professional Development credits.

The Dodgers announced 17 non-roster players who will be invited to Spring Training on Friday, including top prospects Corey Seager, Julio Urias and Chris Anderson, all of whom will be taking part in their first Major League camp.

Tom Gorzelanny’s signing, not surprisingly, was welcome news to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, who now has a veteran lefty in his much-scrutinized bullpen. If anyone should know what he’s getting with Gorzelanny, it’s Ausmus.

When the 2014 season was finally over, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin took the deepest of breaths and made about the most difficult decision anyone in his position could make. Despite a 9-22 closing lap, Melvin decided that he still liked his team.

While trying to build an championship contender every year, the Angels always keep an eye on their future with a projected six-year depth chart that allows general manager Jerry Dipoto and the rest of the organization to know what the future holds.

The Orioles officially announced Friday that Delmon Young will return next season, as the outfielder/designated hitter passed his physical. Young will make a base salary of $2.25 million in 2015 that could reach $3 million if he hits all of the incentives.

The Nationals enter 2015 unsure of who their starting second baseman will be this season. MLB.com takes a look at the current candidates, including Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa.

Robinson Cano has been granted permission by the Mariners to play a handful of games in the Dominican Winter League starting Tuesday as he returns from a broken toe sustained during the MLB All-Star Series in Japan in November.

The Pirates are reportedly close to officially signing Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang to a four-year deal. CBS Sports reported on Friday that the two sides are “moving close to a deal” as the Jan. 20 deadline approaches. The Pirates already spent $5 million as a fee to negotiate with Kang and his agent, Alan Nero.