D-Backs believe path to contention doesn't have to include a teardown  —  LAS VEGAS - With Paul Goldschmidt and Patrick Corbin gone and A.J. Pollock soon to follow, the Diamondbacks have lost multiple pieces of the core they had built around over the past half-decade.

Angels' Brad Ausmus focusing on balancing ABs for Albert Pujols, Shohei Ohtani  —  LAS VEGAS — Albert Pujols will be coming off another knee surgery and heading into his age-39 season, with no guarantee that he'll even perform at replacement level.  Shohei Ohtani will be recovering …

Winter meetings predictions: Will Vegas deliver any last-day drama?  —  Wednesday is the last full day of the winter meetings, and there has been little action as teams warily consider their options.  With roughly 24 hours to go before the leading executives of all 30 teams start packing …

Andrew McCutchen agrees to 3-year deal with Phillies - who still have room to maneuver  —  LAS VEGAS - To the surprise of no one, the Philadelphia Phillies made the first big free-agent strike at baseball's winter meetings, agreeing to a multi-year deal with an All-Star outfielder.

Yankees not ruling Bryce Harper out as Evil Empire mentality may win out  —  LAS VEGAS — Cue the Darth Vader music and dust off the old Evil Empire Strikes Back headlines.  —  Brian Cashman not only refused to push back against agent Scott Boras' prediction that the Yankees would eventually cave …

Lance Lynn, Tanner Roark solid additions for Rangers, Reds  —  The Rangers fell to 67-95 last year, last place in the AL West, for many reasons, but their run prevention was a huge one — they allowed 848 runs last year, tied for second-most in the AL, because they allowed the second-most homers …

Reds Acquire Tanner Roark  —  The Reds have announced the acquisition of veteran righty Tanner Roark from the Nationals.  Reliever Tanner Rainey goes to Washington in the swap.  —  There have been indications over recent months that the Nats were inclined to move on from Roark …

Al Helfer, radio pioneer, wins Hall of Fame's Frick Award  —  LAS VEGAS — Al Helfer, who broadcast games on radio for the “Mutual Game of the Day” in the 1950s, has won the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting by baseball's Hall of Fame and Museum.

Shildt set to open the doors to Cardinals players  —  LAS VEGAS  • With months yet to go before spring training, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has maintained and encouraged open lines of communication with all of his players via calls, texts, and in a few cases in-person chats.

Tigers to be cautious in spring training with Miguel Cabrera  —  LAS VEGAS — Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.  —  Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins.

Brewers announce their promotional schedule for 2019 — yes, including the bobbleheads  —  On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers announced their promotional giveaways for the 2019 season, including a number of player bobbleheads.  —  Let's just get to the good stuff, shall we: Here's who's getting a bobblehead in 2019.

Will the Phoenix Suns move to Seattle or Las Vegas if an arena deal fails?  —  Opinion: Phoenix City Council doesn't have the votes to pass the Suns arena deal.  But will they put the final stake into the heart of it?  —  CONNECT  —  Splash one arena deal.

A's have some interest in Detroit lefty Blaine Hardy  —  Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Blaine Hardy (36) pitches in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, July 14, 2018.  Astros won the game 9-1 and lead the Tigers 2-0 in the series.  ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )