TIME TO START LOOKING AT BEN ZOBRIST TRADE POSSIBILITIES — BECAUSE IT'S COMING  —  JP Morosi  —  Surprisingly, relatively little has been written or said about the possibility of a Ben Zobrist trade.  —  That should change soon.  —  There's a decent chance Zobrist will be traded between …

Washington's September resignation closes season of unfulfilled promise  —  MLB.com takes a look back at the Rangers' top moments of 2014, highlighted by walk-off wins  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers are ready to move on.  As far as they are concerned, 2015 can't come soon enough.

Orioles still interested in Padres' Seth Smith and Will Venable, sources say  —  The hot stove likely will be set on simmer and put on the back burner after today for the holidays.  The industry usually goes quiet in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

A Panthers coach helps family whose presents were stolen  —  Secret Santa gives local family Christmas WCNC  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A family whose Christmas presents were stolen earlier this week will have a joyful Christmas after all, thanks to a Secret Santa from the Carolina Panthers.

In Uganda, Out of Nowhere, There Is Baseball  —  How America's Pastime Has Managed to Take Root in East Africa  —  Last month, I went to Uganda to coach and play baseball.  —  And to meet George.  —  George Mukhobe is a 37-year-old baseball coach from the slums of Kampala, Uganda's capital.

Minor League Transactions: Dec. 13-23  —  Please see Trade Central for more on the prospects involved in December trades, and please see my Twitter timeline for more on some of the players referenced in this installment.  We're finishing production on the 2015 Prospect Handbook …

Mets captain David Wright reaches out to sons of slain NYPD officer Rafael Ramos  —  Wright, the son of a police officer, had a 15-minute phone conversation with Justin and Jaden Ramos on Christmas Eve and invited the two Mets fans to attend spring training with the team next year.

Kaneko to stay with Buffaloes  —  KOBE - Right-hander Chihiro Kaneko, this year's Pacific League MVP and Sawamura Award winner, is staying with the Orix Buffaloes.  —  Kaneko, being chased by a number of Japanese clubs including the Hanshin Tigers, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles …

Orioles To Sign Delmon Young  —  The Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $2.25MM deal with free agent outfielder Delmon Young, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports (links to Twitter).  Young can earn up to $750K more through incentives.  The deal is dependent upon a physical, which will not take place until the new year.

Rumor Roundup: Marlins Not Really Interested In Having Exactly Three Outfielders On Their Roster by Chris Mosch  —  Marlins Not Really Interested In Having Exactly Three Outfielders On Their Roster  —  When it comes to formidable young outfield cores, there aren't too many that can top the one assembled in Miami.

Veteran right-hander finalizes $24 million contract; ‘re-energized’ for another title run  —  MLB.com's Hot Stove looks at the Giants bringing back pitcher Jake Peavy on two-year deal  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Jake Peavy remembered the generosity that the Giants expressed toward him and his family when they acquired him.

Blue Jays are looking to trade for a closer  —  The Blue Jays are now prioritizing the ninth inning and are looking to trade for a closer (Heyman, Dec. 24).  —  Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, Nationals RHP Tyler Clippard and Royals relievers Greg Holland and Wade Davis have all appeared …