GM meetings point to a winter of spending  —  CARLSBAD, Calif. — There's a distinctly different tone being set at the beginning of this MLB offseason compared to the last one, as money seemingly is going to flow back into the game — and into players' pockets — one year after one of the slowest markets since the advent of free agency.

Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto not distracted by trade rumors  —  TOKYO — Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto isn't letting trade rumors become a distraction either at home or in Japan, where he is currently part of an MLB All-Star tour.  —  Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill …

25 players eligible for MLB arbitration as super 2s  —  Cincinnati outfielder Scott Schebler and Texas pitcher Matt Bush just missed the cutoff for salary arbitration eligibility, while Chicago Cubs pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. and Toronto pitcher Joe Biagini earned the final spots.

MLB owners to vote next week on commissioner Rob Manfred's future  —  CARLSBAD, Calif. — Major League Baseball owners will vote next week on whether to give commissioner Rob Manfred a five-year contract extension when they meet in Atlanta, three baseball executives told USA TODAY Sports at the GM meetings.

Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor and 3B Jose Ramirez earn American League Silver Slugger Awards  —  Ramirez and Lindor are the first Indians teammates to win back-to-back Silver Sluggers since Roberto Alomar and Manny Ramirez in 1999-2000.  —  Author: Dave “Dino” DeNatale

Man wins $100,000 lottery prize by picking Red Sox jersey numbers  —  A Massachusetts great-grandfather has won a $100,000 lottery prize by picking the jersey numbers of five members of the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox.  —  The lottery said in a statement that 84-year-old Jim Aylward Jr. …

As GM meetings conclude, Cardinals are all about the upgrades  —  CARLSBAD, Calif.  • By the end of the 72-hour mixer Major League Baseball held this week for executives from all 30 clubs, the Cardinals' front office had talked with almost every team, explored a variety of trades …

Carlos Zambrano, 37, is pitching in the Venezuelan winter league.  Next stop, MLB?  —  Big Z is pitching again for Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan winter league.  (Photo courtesy of Carlos Zambrano)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Don't look now, but Carlos Zambrano is pitching again at the age of 37.

NL West offseason preview: Will Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado be dealt?  —  With free agency underway, the offseason is going to pick up steam.  What are the big questions facing all 30 teams?  Next up is the NL West, in which the Dodgers are trying to figure out how to take that last step to a World Series title.

Detroit Tigers mailbag: How long will rebuild last?  Don't sugarcoat it  —  Taking a look at what the Tigers' starting lineup and pitching rotation could look like to open the 2019 season.  Video by Anthony Fenech and Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press.  —  CONNECT  —  CARLSBAD, Calif. - Buckle up for boredom.

Giants' new boss Farhan Zaidi gets down to business at GM meetings  —  CARLSBAD, San Diego County — As Farhan Zaidi tried to hurry across the hotel grounds at the general managers' meetings Thursday, two young men approached asking him to sign baseballs.  —  “Can you write ‘Go Giants’ on there?” one asked.

Yankees sign veteran catcher as more Gary Sanchez insurance  —  A day after the Yankees announced a surprise Gary Sanchez surgery, they moved to further solidify his position.  —  The Yankees have signed veteran catcher Ryan Lavarnway to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, The Post's Joel Sherman reported Thursday.

Molina, other big leagues playing games in Japan on MLB Network  —  Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, a fan favorite, is on a team of big-league baseball players touring Japan to play a series of games against standout players from that nation.  —  Molina shined in a tune-up game Thursday …