Wednesday was headlined by lots of smaller moves designed to improve the margins of the roster. We're still waiting for some big free agents to come off the board, but GMs have been busy handling other business in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Here is the latest edition of Jon Heyman's must-read Inside Baseball column. Now here is a recap of the rest of Wednesday's hot stove news.
ROSTER MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
Athletics: Acquired IF Jed Lowrie from the Astros for minor league RHP Brendan McCurry, both teams announced. LHP Daniel Coulombe was designated for assignment in a corresponding move ... RHP A.J. Griffin has been released after being removed from the 40-man roster. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Blue Jays: Sold minor-league 1B Matt Hague to the Hanshin Tigers in Japan for $300,000. Typically in these cases the player works out a contract with the team in Asia, then asks his club for his release. The team receives some cash for their trouble. (Sportsnet)
Braves: Signed RHP Bud Norris to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.
Cubs: Acquired LHP Rex Brothers from the Rockies for minor league LHP Wander Cabrera, the team announced.
Indians: Acquired RHP Kirby Yates from the Rays for cash considerations, the team announced. OF Michael Choice was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Mariners: LHP Danny Hultzen has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A, the club announced. Hultzen, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, was dropped from the 40-man roster a few days ago.
Orioles: Acquired OF L.J. Hoes from the Astros for cash considerations, the club announced. 1B Andy Wilkins was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Pirates: Acquired RHP Allen Webster from the Diamondbacks for cash considerations, the team announced ... Signed UTIL Jake Goebbert to a major league contract, the club announced. Terms are unknown.
Rays: Both OF Daniel Nava and RHP Brandon Gomes have elected free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster, the team announced.
Rockies: RHP John Axford has elected free agency after being removed from the 40-man roster, the team announced.
White Sox: Signed C Alex Avila to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.
COACHING STAFF & FRONT OFFICE NEWS
Diamondbacks: Will name former Rangers hitting coach Dave Magadan their new hitting coach. (MLB.com)
INJURY UPDATES
Brewers: OF Ryan Braun expects to be 100 percent for spring training following back surgery. "I feel pretty good, knock on wood," he said. "The only surprise is the rehab is a little longer than I was anticipating, just a couple months of rehab. Other than that, everything was as expected ... I'm doing my physical therapy stuff four days a week. I definitely feel pretty good right now." (Journal Sentinel)
NEWS & RUMORS
MLB: Ken Johnson, who threw the only nine-inning no-hit loss, passed away at age 82.
LHP David Price: So far the Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, Dodgers and Red Sox have expressed the most interest in Price, a free agent. (Fox Sports)
Cardinals: Have reached out to free agent IF/OF Ben Zobrist. (Heyman)
Cubs: Renderings of the upcoming plaza around Wrigley Field have been released.
Mariners: Reports citing a "friend" of 2B Robinson Cano say Cano is unhappy with the Mariners and would welcome a return to New York.
Marlins: Exploring a possible OF Marcell Ozuna trade with the Mariners. Miami appears to have interest in LHP Roenis Elias. (Heyman)
Orioles: Interested in free agent RHP Yovani Gallardo. (Baltimore Sun)
Pirates: 1B Pedro Alvarez may seek a trade this offseason. (Heyman)
Rangers: Drawing a lot of interest in their relievers, namely RHP Shawn Tolleson, LHP Jake Diekman, RHP Tom Wilhelmsen and RHP Sam Dyson. (Heyman)
