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Winter Meetings Heating Up Hot Stove Season

 width=>>Cubs World Series Odds Shrink After Lester Signing

(Las Vegas, NV) -- The Cubs are getting some love in Las Vegas after signing top free-agent pitcher Jon Lester. The Westgate SuperBook lists the Cubs' odds of winning the World Series in 2015 at 12-to-1. The "lovable losers" started the offseason at 40-to-1, but saw those odds shrink to 18-to-1 after hiring new manager Joe Maddon. The Dodgers and Nationals have the best odds at 7-to-1. The Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908.

>>Angels Trade Kendrick To Dodgers

(San Diego, CA) -- Second baseman Howie Kendrick is changing teams. Multiple reports say he is heading north to the Dodgers from the Angels. The Halos are getting young lefty Andrew Heaney, who was traded from the Marlins to L.A. for second baseman Dee Gordon among others also on Wednesday. Kendrick is set to make nearly 10-million-dollars this season and will be a free agent following 2015. He hit .293 with seven homers and 75 RBI this past season. Kendrick has been with the Angels since 2006. Heaney is the 18th-ranked prospect by MLB.com and the second-best left-handed pitcher.

>>Marlins, Dodgers Pull Off Six-Player Deal

(San Diego, CA) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins are pulling off a six-player swap. The "Miami Herald" reports the Dodgers will send second baseman Dee Gordon and veteran starting pitcher Dan Haren to Miami in exchange for pitchers Andrew Heaney and Chris Hatcher, second baseman Enrique Hernandez and catcher Austin Barnes. Gordon led the bigs with 64 stolen bases last season, while Haren posted a 13-and-11 record with 4.02 ERA. Heaney ranks as MLB.com's 18th overall prospect.

 width=>>Red Sox, Diamondbacks In Possible Trade Talks

(San Diego, CA) -- There is some confusion regarding a possible trade between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. "USA Today" says the Red Sox believe a deal is done privately while Arizona is publicly denying any trade. Multiple reports said the Sox traded for starter Wade Miley. The Arizona Diamondbacks would receive pitchers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster as a part of the package. Miley was 8-and-12 with a 4.34 ERA last season for Arizona. De La Rosa was 4-and-8 with a 4.43 ERA while Webster was 5-and-3 with a 5.03 ERA.

>>Phillies, Dodgers Close to Rollins Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies are close to trading longtime shortstop and franchise hits leader jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

While the return has not yet been reported, numerous outlets have said the deal is close to being done.

The 36-year-old Rollins, who had to waive a no-trade clause to complete the deal, figures to be a one-year stopgap for the Dodgers until prospect Corey Seager is ready.

A cornerstone of the Phillies organization since his debut in 2000, Rollins developed into one of the best shortstops in baseball and was named the 2007 National League MVP in 2007, a year before helping the team to its first World Series title in 28 years.

>>Rockies ship Rutledge to Angels

Hours after reportedly trading second baseman Howie Kendrick to the Dodgers, the Los Angeles Angels acquired infielder Josh Rutledge from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jairo Diaz.

Rutledge, a lifetime .259 hitter, has spent time at second base, third base and shortstop in his three-year career with the Rockies.

The 25-year-old has 19 home runs, 89 RBI and 126 runs during his brief career.

Diaz, 23, compiled a 18-27 record in the minor league before making his MLB debut in 2014. The Venezuelan made five appearances, yielding two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

>>MLB Announcer Enberg Named Frick Award Winner

Dick Enberg, who has carved out a broadcasting career lasting for more than five decades, has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting.

Enberg, a native of Michigan and product of Central Michigan and Indiana University, began his career as an undergraduate at CMU. During his time with the Angels, he also broadcast Los Angeles Rams and UCLA men's basketball up until joining NBC Sports in 1975. Once there, Enberg drew praise for his coverage of Wimbledon as much as his baseball acumen.

After a 10-year stint with CBS Sports beginning in 2000, Enberg returned to the day-to-day grind of the majors with San Diego for the 2010 season -- a position in which he remains currently.

Other finalists included: Richie Ashburn, Billy Berroa, Rene Cardenas, Dizzy Dean, Ernie Johnson Sr., Ralph Kiner, Ned Martin, Joe Nuxhall and Jack Quinlan.

>>Astros Ink Relievers Gregerson, Neshek

(San Diego, CA) -- The Houston Astros are beefing up their bullpen with the addition of right-hander Luke Gregerson. "USA Today" reports the 30-year-old reliever has agreed to a three-year, 18.5-million-dollar contract. Gregerson went 5-and-5 with a 2.12 ERA, three saves and 22 holds in 72 games last season for the Oakland A's. With incentives, the total value of his deal could reach 21-million. According to the report, the Astros have also signed reliever Pat Neshek [[ NEE-skeck ]] to a two-year deal. The 34-year-old went 7-and-2 with a 1.87 ERA, six saves and 25 holds last season for the St. Louis Cardinals.

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