We seem to have reached the calm before the Winter Meetings storm. There may still be a major free agent signing or trade this coming weekend, but, in all likelihood, any major business will be completed at the Winter Meetings next week in Nashville.
On Thursday we looked at the decline of the one-dimensional slugger. Teams are starting to cast power-only mashers aside in favor of more athletic and well-rounded players. Now here is an update on Thursday's hot stove news.
RUMORS & TRANSACTIONS
Mariners: OF Nori Aoki's one-year contract was made official, the team announced. He'll receive $5.5 million in 2016 with an easily attainable $6 million vesting option for 2017 based on playing time. The deal also includes $1.5 million in incentives each year. (Jon Heyman)
Mets: Signed RHP Jim Henderson to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, the club announced.
Padres: Re-signed C Rocky Gale to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, the team announced.
Rays: Designated OF Joey Butler for assignment, the team announced. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for C Hank Conger, who was acquired in a trade with the Astros Wednesday night.
White Sox: Re-signed RHP Jacob Turner to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. (Yahoo! Sports)
FRONT OFFICE & COACHING STAFF UPDATES
Blue Jays: Named former Indians executive Ross Atkins their new GM, the team announced.
RUMORS & NEWS
MLB: The Hiroshima Carp in Japan will post ace RHP Kenta Maeda this offseason.
MLBPA: Union chief Tony Clark may have set the stage for peaceful labor talks with MLB. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires next offseason.
LHP Cliff Lee: Lee, who missed the entire 2015 season due to an elbow injury, wants to pitch in 2016 if he can find the right fit.
2B Chase Utley: Drawing interest from the Dodgers and Angels. He'd prefer to play close to home in California. (ESPN)
Braves: GM John Coppolella said the team has interest in re-signing free agent LHP Mike Minor, who was non-tendered Wednesday. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Diamondbacks: Unveiled seven new uniforms for the 2016 season.
Giants: RHP Jeff Samardzija and RHP Mike Leake are considered Plan B options if the team is unable to sign RHP Zack Greinke. (Fox Sports)
Indians: Interested in free agents 1B Pedro Alvarez and 1B/DH Chris Carter, who were non-tendered Wednesday. (Cleveland Plain-Dealer)
Marlins: President of baseball operations Michael Hill said the team is not actively shopping OF Marcell Ozuna or RHP Jose Fernandez. "If you have talented players, clubs are going to call and ask for them. When someone calls, we listen to see if it is something that makes sense, both in the short-term and the long-term," he added. (MLB.com)
Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler has progressed to throwing at a distance of 120 feet as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery. (New York Daily News)
Padres: Continuing to push RHP James Shields on the trade market. (ESPN)
White Sox: Close to a deal with free agent C Dioner Navarro. (Jon Heyman)
