From Catfish Hunter to Gerrit Cole: The history of MLB's highest-paid pitcher  —  Stephen Strasburg, exit stage left, your run as MLB's highest-paid pitcher with your $245 million contract was short-lived.  Step on up, Gerrit Cole, owner of a new, nine-year, $324 million contract, courtesy of the New York Yankees.

Agent: Cubs aren't working on Anthony Rizzo extension  —  SAN DIEGO — Though the Chicago Cubs' front office indicated it would be attempting to complete extensions this offseason for several of its players with two years of club control remaining, that apparently doesn't apply to first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Mets Agree To Sign Michael Wacha  —  3:23pm: There's a deal in place pending a physical, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand (Twitter link).  It guarantees $3MM, per Sherman (via Twitter), with up to $7MM in possible incentives.  —  3:09pm: The Mets are “working hard to finalize” …

Mercy!  Hawk Harrelson wins Ford Frick Award and joins the Hall of Fame  —  SAN DIEGO — The Hawk is in the Hall.  —  Legendary  —  White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson was announced as the winner of the Ford Frick Award on Wednesday, sending one of the most colorful characters in baseball history to Cooperstown forever.

Rays' Stuart Sternberg: Aim is Montreal split plan for 2028  —  Principal owner says staying full time in Tampa Bay remains unlikely, so the focus remains on sharing games with Montreal.  —  Published Earlier today Updated Earlier today  —  SAN DIEGO — Splitting future seasons …

Blue Jays To Sign Tanner Roark  —  The Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with free-agent right-hander Tanner Roark, Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet report.  It's a two-year, $24MM accord, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.  Roark is a client of Matt Colleran.

Brewers To Sign Josh Lindblom  —  The Brewers have reached an agreement with free-agent right-hander Josh Lindblom, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports, adding that he'll earn $9.125MM over three years.  The deal can max out at $18MM with performance bonuses, per Passan.

Rockies “Willing To Listen” On Nolan Arenado  —  The Rockies are “willing to listen” to trade proposals regarding third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).  But Colorado fans probably shouldn't chuck their #28 threads just yet.

Kole Calhoun Market Taking Shape  —  We've yet to hear much of anything this winter regarding Kole Calhoun — a reflection both of the primacy of starting pitching on the market and the devaluation of the long ball around the league.  The veteran corner outfielder has waited his turn as teams chase higher-priority targets.

Dodgers To Sign Blake Treinen  —  The Dodgers will sign free-agent reliever Blake Treinen to a one-year, $10MM contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports.  They were one of “multiple” clubs that made offers in that vicinity to the right-hander, according to Passan.  Treinen's represented by Adam Karon of Apex Baseball.