Third baseman was arbitration-eligible for the first time  —  Todd Frazier ascended to a higher level with 29 homers and 20 steals in 2014 and should sustain his top-tier numbers in Cincinnati  —  The Reds have avoided an arbitration hearing with third baseman Todd Frazier by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal.

Welcome back!  Matt Harvey's spring arrival this week spurs Mets' optimism  —  They know how important Harvey could be to this year's team, a club that is already dreaming big after six consecutive losing seasons.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Pre-spring training preparation for some Mets …

All-Star Game To Be Awarded By Bid, Manfred Says  —  New MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he intends to award the All-Star Game with a bidding process, rather than alternating leagues as has been the practice generally every season since the game was put in place in 1933.

Rays manager Kevin Cash plans more stable lineup  —  A lot of what the Rays do under new manager Kevin Cash will be similar to how they operated under Joe Maddon, such as getting statistical input from the front office and making extensive use of defensive shifts.

Terms of offer unknown; club expects to hear back from free-agent hurler by Monday  —  Corey Brock joins MLB Tonight to discuss the Padres' interest in James Shields, their bullpen entering 2015 and more  —  SAN DIEGO — Now the waiting game begins for the Padres, who figure to know by Monday …

Yankees GM Brian Cashman believes in his team  —  The Yankees and Alex Rodriguez, the gifts that keep on giving — at least for sports journalists.  —  Picture that tent at George Steinbrenner Field in spring training.  Rodriguez reading his mea culpa with a thousand cameras clicking.

Dodgers at forefront of trend, acquiring Rollins, Kendrick  —  Jimmy Rollins is introduced as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers  —  If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game.  —  In his 25-year Hall of Fame career, Henderson got plenty filthy …

He'll make you believe: Rob Refsnyder just may be the Yankees' solution at second base  —  Refsnyder endures taunts over his Korean background and experts' slights to make it to the Yankees' organization as a fifth-round pick.  —  TAMPA — You have your favorite hideaway …

Pirates Win Arbitration Hearing Against Neil Walker  —  The Pirates have won an arbitration hearing against second baseman Neil Walker, reports MLB.com's Tom Singer (on Twitter).  Walker, who had filed at $9MM as opposed to the club's $8MM figure (as shown in MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker), will earn that $8MM sum in 2015.

Minor League Transactions: Jan. 30-Feb. 5  —  The Blue Jays sign a reliever coming off dominating turns in the Mexican and Venezuelan leagues, while the Rockies sign a potentially useful part-time bat.  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 30-Feb. 5.

Catching?  John Jaso takes a break  —  ST. PETERSBURG — John Jaso will report to Rays camp this month with the rest of the catchers, like he has done the first 11 springs of his pro career.  —  2 Months Ago 1 Week Ago  —  2 Months Ago  —  But for the first time he won't be doing any work behind the plate.