Ian Desmond, Ben Zobrist were part of Nats-Mets-Rays trade discussion  —  FOX Sports  —  Ian Desmond (left) and Ben Zobrist were centerpieces of a blockbuster trade discussion among the Nationals, Rays and Mets.  —  Consider this potential blockbuster:  —  * Shortstop Ian Desmond to the Mets.

Source: Pirates, SS Kang reach deal  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates reached an agreement Monday with South Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang on a four-year deal worth approximately $16 million, a source told ESPN MLB Insider Jim Bowden.  —  The deal, which is still pending a physical, also has an option for a fifth year, the source said.

Finally healthy, Daniel Bard prepared for a comeback  —  He was, with little debate, the best setup man in major league baseball in 2010 and 2011.  It was tough to deny that Daniel Bard was a stud with that 97-mile-per-hour heat, where he'd be automatic in the eighth inning for the Red Sox before giving way to Jonathan Papelbon.

Phillies should be able to find a taker for Ryan Howard  —  FOX Sports  —  As long as Ryan Howard can hit home runs the Phillies should be able to find a team that wants him if they pay a good deal of his salary.  —  The start of spring training is a little more than a month away.

Dodgers, D-backs, Padres and Yankees express strong interest in right-hander  —  Cuban right-handed pitching prospect Yoan Lopez could be in line for a record-setting deal.  The 21-year-old starter is currently weighing offers, and according to an industry source, he appears in line to break …

'Percival's Lonesome Foursome' heard  —  The way I see it, the other three members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who cast ballots for Troy Percival in this year's Hall of Fame balloting owe me.  —  They chose not to make their ballots public.

Veteran lefty said he's experiencing no pain after recovering from right knee surgery  —  Matt Waymire and Jim Duquette discuss CC Sabathia's offseason efforts as the Yankees lefty looks to bounce back in 2015  —  Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, on the comeback trail from knee surgery …

Saint Roberto Clemente?:  Former Pittsburgh pastor seeks sainthood for the Pirates great  —  Saint Roberto?  —  Richard Rossi thinks a case can be made on behalf of the Pirates' late right fielder, Roberto Clemente.  —  Mr. Rossi, who directed and played a scout in the recent movie …

Rockies, Padres, Giants Interested In Dillon Gee  —  Following a report from last night in which Andy Martino of the New York Daily News indicated that the Mets are in active trade talks regarding Dillon Gee, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Rockies, Padres and Giants are all looking at a trade for the 28-year-old righty.

Minor League Transactions: Dec. 24-Jan. 8  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Dec. 24-Jan. 8.  Arizona Diamondbacks Signed: LHP Jose Jose (re-signed), 1B Jordan Pacheco (re-signed), 2B [...]

Ace Hamels still on Padres' radar; Wil Myers not involved in talks  —  Fresh off a trio of bold impact moves to rework their entire outfield and the middle of their lineup, the aggressive Padres are still said to be alive for another potential blockbuster, this one involving Philly's ace …

Red Sox's offseason additions likely to slot into the heart of their batting order  —  MLB.com's Jim Duquette analyzes how the addition of Hanley Ramirez will impact the Red Sox lineup in 2015  —  BOSTON — Though John Farrell won't submit a lineup card in a regular-season game until April 6 …

DIAMONDBACKS IN THE MARKET FOR CATCHER, STARTING PITCHERS  —  JP Morosi  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are poised to make at least one trade in the five weeks before spring training begins.  —  The reason: They have a clear surplus at one position (outfield bats) and obvious needs at two others (starting rotation and catcher).