BenFred: Everybody wins in Cards-A's trade — especially Piscotty's family  —  Ben Frederickson is a sports columnist for stltoday.com  —  The Cardinals, on a hot streak and gaining ground on the Rockies and Brewers in the wild-card chase, had been held to one hit in six innings by Padres rookie pitcher Dinelson Lamet.

Tim Raines joins A.J. Pierzynski, Jose Contreras as White Sox ambassadors  —  A.J. Pierzynski talks about joining the White Sox as an ambassador on Dec. 11, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  While the White Sox remain focused on the future …

Aaron Judge: I can't wait to play alongside Giancarlo Stanton  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  A look back at the power-hitting duos of history proves it: We've never seen anything quite like the pairing of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.  —  The reigning AL Rookie of the Year alongside the NL MVP.

It's a no-brainer: Detroit Tigers should trade Michael Fulmer  —  George Sipple/Anthony Fenech/Detroit Free Press  —  Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer could become the kind of ace that fronts a starting rotation.  Even if he does, it may not matter, as the Tigers aren't likely to push for a World Series title for a while.

It may take ditching Clint Frazier to solve Yankees' rotation needs  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Brian Cashman entered the Winter Meetings searching for rotation help and exited without it.  —  Yet just because baseball's meat market has closed doesn't mean the Yankees general manager won't land a starting pitcher or two.

Notebook: Cardinals take advantage of Rule 5 draft loophole  —  After several years of having players handpicked out of their minor-league system by other teams — San Diego was an annual pilferer — the Cardinals did not have a player taken in the major-league portion of the draft Wednesday …

Source: Red Sox talks signal interest in signing both J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer  —  ORLANDO — A source at the winter meetings said that the Red Sox are engaged in talks with not only free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez but also free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Cubs hope new coaches can sharpen pitching focus  —  Agent Scott Boras on Jake Arrieta and the Cubs: “The road to playoffville is winning big games at big times.”  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The rebirth of Jake Arrieta and the dramatic ascent of Kyle Hendricks masked …

Hector Rondon reaches contract terms with Astros  —  Free-agent pitcher Hector Rondon has reached a deal with the Houston Astros, according to multiple reports.  —  Terms of the deal with the right-hander, which was first reported by The Athletic, are unknown at this time.

Parade of relievers keeping rolling as winter meetings end  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Much like the postseason, the baseball winter meetings became a parade of relievers.  —  Steve Cishek and Fernando Rodney were on the move Thursday, joining Brandon Morrow, Luke Gregerson, Bryan Shaw …

Arizona Diamondbacks watch Fernando Rodney depart, hopeful after ‘quiet’ winter meetings … CONNECT  —  TWEET  —  LINKEDIN  —  COMMENT  —  EMAIL  —  MORE  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - After a week at the winter meetings in which the number of significant trades could be counted on one hand …

Veteran Jonny Venters, prospect Joe McCarthy among 13 Tampa Bay Rays spring invitees  —  Inspiring veteran LHP Jonny Venters and intriguing prospect 1B/OF Joe McCarthy are among 13 players invited to major-league spring training camp with the Rays.  —  Others coming as a result …