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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Luke Gregerson, Cardinals finalize $11M, 2-year contract  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Reliever Luke Gregerson and the St. Louis Cardinals have finalized an $11 million, two-year contract.  —  A 33-year-old right-hander, Gregerson will have salaries of $5 million in each of the next two seasons …

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.

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 …

Rays invite Jonny Venters to camp after 3rd Tommy John surgery  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Relief pitcher Jonny Venters has been invited to big league spring training by the Tampa Bay Bays while trying to come back from his third Tommy John surgery.  —  The 32-year-old lefty hasn't pitched …

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 …