Billy Hamilton could fit Rockies, Dodgers or Rays, writes MLB.com's Petriello  —  The Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays are favorite fits for center fielder Billy Hamilton - who became a free agent after the Cincinnati Reds did not offer him a contract …

Yan Gomes gives Nationals an upgrade at catcher  —  The New York Mets may be trying to win the winter with a splashy back-page headline deal, but the Washington Nationals made a much smaller trade Friday that improved their major league roster at a fairly minimal cost.

Justin Bour, Luis Avilan not offered 2019 contracts by Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies did not tender contracts to first baseman Justin Bour and left-hander Luis Avilan, allowing the players to become free agents.  —  Both players were acquired in trades during the season and saw limited action in Philadelphia.

Can new Tigers pitcher Matt Moore bounce back from brutal 2018?  —  The Detroit Tigers took a flier on veteran pitcher Matt Moore earlier this week, agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the left-handed fireballer.  For the Tigers, it's a low-risk proposition; $2.5 million isn't much in today's free-agent market.

Ex-Rays Tim Beckham, Brad Boxberger among those nontendered  —  Several notable former Rays were among more than 40 players not tendered contracts by their former teams by Friday's deadline and thrust onto a free-agent market that has not been kind to mid-level veterans:  —  Among them:

Cardinals sign reliever Shreve to one-year deal  —  The Cardinals tendered contracts to three arbitration-eligible players in left fielder Marcell Ozuna, righthanded starter Michael Wacha and righthanded reliever Dominic Leone on Friday and reached agreement on a one-year deal with a fourth eligible player …

Diamondbacks do not tender contracts to Chris Owings, Shelby Miller  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks will not tender a contract offer to longtime infielder/outfielder Chris Owings, reports 98.7 FM Arizona's Sports Station's John Gambadoro.  —  Friday marked the deadline for teams to decide whether …

One unidentified MLB player tests positive for banned stimulant  —  NEW YORK — One unidentified major league player tested positive for a banned stimulant in the year ending with the World Series.  —  Under the joint drug agreement between Major League Baseball and the players' association …

Jesse Chavez rejoins Rangers on $8 million, two-year deal  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Right-hander Jesse Chavez finalized an $8 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers on Friday, returning to the team that traded him to the Chicago Cubs last July.  —  Chavez, 35, was 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA …

Rays Tales: Is a big bat (Nelson Cruz) the right addition?  Or a power arm (Noah Syndergaard)?  —  The Rays have money to spend and are “considering high-end upgrades.”  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are big-name hunting.  —  They've had internal conversations, expressed interest …

Brewers don't offer 2B Jonathan Schoop contract after trade falls flat  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers allowed former All-Star second baseman Jonathan Schoop to go free, failing to offer a 2019 contract.  —  The 27-year-old spent his entire career with Baltimore before Milwaukee acquired …

Cubs tender contract to shortstop Addison Russell despite MLB suspension  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs will tender a 2019 contract to Addison Russell before Friday's 7 p.m. deadline despite the shortstop's 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic-violence policy.

Mariners acquire C Omar Narvaez from White Sox for P Alex Colome  —  The Seattle Mariners continued their cost-cutting Friday, sending reliever Alex Colome to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Omar Narvaez.  —  Colome has 96 saves in six seasons with Tampa Bay and Seattle …

Brian Cashman: What will decide Patrick Corbin sweepstakes … STAMFORD, Conn. — The way Brian Cashman sees it, cotton and linen are thicker than blood.  —  Sure, the Yankees' general manager doesn't mind that Patrick Corbin, the free-agent left-hander who visited Yankee Stadium on Thursday …