Sources: MLB near decision on discipline for Astros  —  Major League Baseball's investigation into the Houston Astros' illegal use of technology is in its final stages and members of the organization expect commissioner Rob Manfred to decide on the severity of discipline within the next two weeks …

Nationals, Daniel Hudson Agree To Two-Year Deal  —  3:29pm: The deal's worth $11MM with up to $1MM in performance bonuses based on games finished, per Passan.  The total falls in line with the two-year, $12MM guarantee MLBTR projected for Hudson at the beginning of the offseason.

Angels Acquire Kyle Keller, Designate Jake Jewell  —  The Angels have acquired right-hander Kyle Keller from the Marlins for catcher Jose Estrada, according to announcements from both teams.  The Angels designated righty Jake Jewell for assignment in a corresponding move.

Dodgers To Sign Jimmy Nelson  —  The Dodgers have reached a one-year deal with righty Jimmy Nelson, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link).  The contract includes a $1.25MM guarantee and the possibility of greater earnings, including a vesting/mutual option for another season …

Police take legal action against more than 180 people so far during 2019/2020 bushfire season  —  The NSW Police Force has taken legal action against more than 180 people for bushfire-related offences since late last year.  —  Numerous bush and grass fires have impacted the state …

Reds Announce Shogo Akiyama Signing  —  The Reds announced today that they have signed a three-year deal with Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama.  It's a $21MM pact, the club added.  Akiyama will earn successive salaries of $6MM, $7MM, and $8MM, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (via Twitter).

Giants' top prospects Joey Bart, Sean Hjelle among non-roster invitees  —  The Giants will have their best prospect and their tallest prospect in big league camp next month.  —  The organization announced that 18 players have been given non-roster invites to big league camp …

Why the Cubs and Theo Epstein haven't done anything this offseason  —  With the calendar flipped to 2020, the upcoming baseball season is not far away.  Spring Training starts in a little over a month and Opening Day is right around the corner in late March.

Column: Dodgers brass defends lack of offseason moves amid fan frustration  —  The boos have finally gone deep.  —  This Dodgers fans' annual offseason frustration, which usually swirls around the dugout of Dave Roberts or desk of Andrew Friedman, has soared beyond both this winter …

With Glut of Starting Pitching for New York Mets, Steven Matz Will Find Himself on Outside Looking In  —  The New York Mets, and more specifically General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen, have made a concerted effort this off season to improve one of the strongest parts of their team in 2019.