MLB Winter Meetings updates: Latest news, rumors, trades and signings

Baseball's Winter Meetings began Monday and will conclude Thursday.

If there's one thing everyone identifies with the Meetings, it's the Rule 5 draft. No, no -- it's how the Meetings serve as a breeding pool for trades, signings, and rumors; that's just what happens when the industry's most important people are forced into the same hotel for a work week.

Because it can be hard to keep up with the activity, we've decided to put together this hub to keep everyone up-to-date on the latest rumors and moves. Feel free to check back throughout the Meetings as a means of getting your recommended daily amount of baseball chatter. The latest updates are at the top.

Latest Rumors

• The Angels are nearing a deal for a third baseman.
• The Marlins will release Edinson Volquez, who underwent Tommy John surgery late in the season. He's owed $13 million.
• The Padres are shopping Yangervis Solarte and Chase Headley.
• The A's and Cardinals are discussing a trade involving OF Stephen Piscotty. 
• The Twins are reportedly very interested in free agent SP Yu Darvish.
• Agent Scott Boras says he's had preliminary discussions with the Nationals about a Bryce Harper contract extension.
• The Angels, Mets, Brewers, and Giants have interest in Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler. However, Kinsler also has a partial no-trade clause.
• The Cubs and Indians are reportedly talking about a trade involving RHP Danny Salazar.
• The Diamondbacks and Rangers are discussing starting pitchers, and Zack Greinke's name as popped up.
• The Dodgers are in active talks with Yu Darvish despite his two World Series disaster starts.
• After trading away Chase Headley, the Yankees have gotten in touch with Todd Frazier about a reunion.
• The Cardinals are looking for a closer and they are among the teams interested in Wade Davis.
• The Tigers have started exchanging names with interested teams during Ian Kinsler trade talks.
• The Yankees are working hard to add a starting pitcher, according to manager Aaron Boone. They remain in contact with CC Sabathia.
• J.D. Martinez will attend the Winter Meetings and meet with interested teams face-to-face, including the Red Sox.
• The Cardinals have spoken to the Blue Jays about Josh Donaldson during the Winter Meetings. No trade is imminent, however.
• The Mets have reversed course on Matt Harvey and no longer want to trade him. 
• The Orioles are reportedly shopping Manny Machado, who wants to play shortstop. The Yankees are among the interested teams.
• The Yankees are reportedly interested in a trade with the Tigers for Michael Fulmer. 
• Jake Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras, is seeking a $200-million contract for him -- and has the binder to back it up.
• The Yankees' next move now that they have NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton in tow? Potentially trading outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Stanton, by the way, knocked the Marlins on the way out of town. 
• Free agent second baseman Neil Walker is looking for a four-year deal, reports Jon Heyman. 
• The Mets and Rangers have reportedly discussed a Harvey for Jurickson Profar trade.
• The Mets are showing interest in free agent slugger Mike Napoli, per the New York Post.
• The Nationals have had a quiet offseason, but word is they're interested in Addison Reed and Matt Adams to fill in the gaps on their roster.
  
• The Phillies are also after Reed, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. 
• Among the suitors of free agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez are the Giants, Royals, A's, Rays and Blue Jays, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
• The Astros are chasing another top-of-the-rotation starter.
• The Diamondbacks don't expect to keep slugger J.D. Martinez, though they'd like to do so.
• The D'Backs are also interested in bringing back closer Fernando Rodney. The Mets have interest, too. 
• The Pirates are willing to listen to offers for staff ace Gerrit Cole, and the Yankees are among the interested teams.
• Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski shot down a report saying the team is shopping Jackie Bradley Jr.
• Tigers GM Al Avila says the team has not yet received any trade offers for Michael Fulmer. "There are a handful of teams out there that have the players to do it, but we have not come close to those conversations," said Avila. He is also confident Ian Kinsler will be traded this winter.
• GM Alex Anthopoulos said the Braves are looking to add bullpen help, a starting pitcher, and a third baseman. They also want to improve their overall team defense.
• The Twins, Nationals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, and Rangers are among the teams interested in free agent reliever Brandon Kintzler. He could be the next reliever to sign.
• The Nationals and Cardinals have both checked in with the Marlins about Marcell Ozuna, who could be on the move next now that Giancarlo Stanton has been traded. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com adds the Braves and Diamondbacks to the mix, reporting that at least 10 teams have asked about Ozuna. 
• Among the teams interested in Carlos Santana are the Indians, Red Sox, Padres, Rangers, Phillies, and Rockies.
• The Mets, Rockies, Blue Jays, and Mariners are among the teams with interest in Jay Bruce.
• Now that Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon have been traded away, the Marlins are pushing Marcell Ozuna in trades.

Reported Signings

• The Astros have signed reliever Joe Smith.
• The Mariners have agreed to terms with reliever Juan Nicasio.
• The Mets have signed reliever Anthony Swarzak to a two-year, $14 million contract.
• The Rockies have reportedly re-upped with lefty reliever Jake McGee on a three-year deal that includes an option for a fourth.
• The Twins added right-handed starter Michael Pineda, who is coming off Tommy John surgery last season with the Yankees.
• The Rangers inked righty Chris Martin to a two-year deal worth $4 million. He pitched well in relief in Japan over the past couple years, but had struggled during his previous big-league cameos.
  
• The Phillies are bringing back veteran setup man Pat Neshek on a two-year contract worth $16.25 million guaranteed. Neshek was with Philadelphia last season before being flipped for prospects at the deadline.
• The Cubs signed lefty Drew Smyly to a two-year contract worth $10 million. Smyly is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to pitch until late 2018. This is more of a 2019 signing.
• Two more relievers came off the board. The Rockies signed Bryan Shaw to a three-year deal worth $27 million while the Phillies signed Tommy Hunter to a two-year deal.

Reported Trades

• The Angels are nearing a deal for Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler.
• The Cardinals have reportedly acquired OF Marcell Ozuna from the Marlins.
• The Indians have acquired $500,000 in international bonus pool money for the 2017-18 period from the Mariners in exchange for RHP Shawn Armstrong, per Mark Feinsand.
  
• The Mariners have acquired LHP Anthony Misiewicz from the Rays in exchange for international slot money.
  
• The Padres grabbed third baseman Chase Headley and pitcher Bryan Mitchell from the Yankees in exchange for outfielder Jabari Blash.
• The Rays acquired second baseman Joey Wendle from the Athletics for a player to be named later, both teams announced.
• The Rays also acquired infielder Ryan Schimpf from the Padres for minor-league infielder Deion Tansel, the clubs announced.