MLB

The Los Angeles Dodgers revamped their roster this offseason with a flurry of moves during the winter meetings, trading away several popular players in an effort to improve the team's defense and chemistry.

New president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi also acquired some starting pitchers to shore up the back end of an already promising rotation for 2015.

Following rumors surrounding an expected trade between the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers all day Monday, the two sides eventually came together to complete the deal, which involves right-hander Yovani Gallardo as the headliner in exchange for three prospects, as T.R.

Free agent starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong has been garnering interest from multiple teams in the free agent market in recent weeks. The Houston Astros appear to be the front-runners to land the veteran starter, but the Rockies and Rangers have also been linked. 

Continue for updates. 

Astros Nearing Vogelsong Deal

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported that the Astros are nearing a deal with Ryan Vogelsong: 

The Chicago Cubs made what is likely their last major offseason move when they sent infielder Luis Valbuena and pitcher Dan Straily to the Houston Astros for outfielder and leadoff man Dexter Fowler. He gives the team some speed, the ability to get on base and a solid glove in the outfield.

Addison Russell was viewed as the only potential star in Oakland's farm system headed into 2014, but that obviously changed when he was dealt in early July to the Cubs in the Jeff Samardzija-Jason Hammel trade. Outfielder Billy McKinney, the A’s first-round pick in 2013, also was shipped out in the trade.

With Yovani Gallardo entering the final year of his deal, the Milwaukee Brewers decided to cash in on the right-hander this offseason before he could potentially leave as a free agent next winter.

The Milwaukee Brewers shipped starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo to the Texas Rangers on Monday and cashed in on a younger, talented minor league hurler, Corey Knebel, as part of the deal.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports provided the full details of the trade:

Some expected the Texas Rangers to address their pitching need on the free-agent market. Instead, they've dipped their feet in the trade waters, acquiring Yovani Gallardo from the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday.  

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported the news as well as Milwaukee's return in the deal:

Hopefully, Luis Valbuena will look back at his time at the 2015 Cubs Convention with fond memories. He may or may not have known at the time, but it was his last hurrah in a Chicago Cubs uniform.

The Washington Nationals, already one of the deepest pitching teams in baseball, made a splash late Sunday night when they inked right-hander Max Scherzer to a massive seven-year free-agent deal.