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.

Diamondbacks Agree To Sign Yoan Lopez  —  Cuban righthander Yoan Lopez has agreed to sign with the Diamondbacks for $8.25 million.  —  Lopez is 21, so he is subject to the international bonus pools.  The Lopez signing puts the Diamondbacks well beyond their allotted pool space …

Pirates' voluntary minicamp opens up without Pedro Alvarez  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Pedro Alvarez was not at Pirate City on Monday morning for the start of four days of voluntary workout sessions.  —  That's not unusual, as players who are on the 40-man roster are not required to attend the minicamp and most veterans opt out.

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.

Red Sox create new behavioral health department  —  The annual announcement of Red Sox front office personnel changes typically features an array of title changes and newly hired evaluators who put in critical but unseen work, and this year's will be little different — except, perhaps, on one count.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

'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.

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 [...]

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 …