Former equipment manager had been with organization since 1971  —  In his final years with the Rangers, Joe Macko served as an ambassador and representative to the community.  —  ARLINGTON — Joe Macko, who had been associated with the Rangers since their arrival from Washington, D.C. …

If traded, will Hamels reap the desired return?  —  The Phillies don't have to trade Cole Hamels, not the way the Dodgers felt they had to move Matt Kemp.  It depends on the ownership situation, and if there is going to be a change in ownership, and it depends on exactly where the Phillies want to go.

Hiroki Kuroda Signs With Hiroshima Carp  —  Veteran righty Hiroki Kuroda is returning to the place where he made his name: the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.  —  Soon to turn 40 years of age, Kuroda remains every bit as sturdy and effective as ever.

Nationals Sign Dan Uggla To Minor League Deal  —  The Nationals have signed Dan Uggla to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, the team announced (on Twitter).  Uggla is a client of Turn 2 Sports Management.  —  The Nationals are plenty familiar with Uggla, who turns 35 in March, for a couple of reasons.

Teams Turn to a Face Reader, Looking for That Winning Smile  —  MILWAUKEE — When two financiers purchased the Milwaukee Bucks for $550 million last April, they promised to pour not only money and new management into the moribund franchise, but also the same kind of creative and critical thinking …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …