Maicer Izturis is the favorite to win Toronto's starting second base job, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

The 32-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Blue Jays, and his ability to also play shortstop and third base should prove to be a valuable asset in 2013.

Christie Moore Freel lost count of the nights her husband, Ryan, arrived home from the ballpark with a tale that added to her growing concern over his health.

"I don't know how many times he would talk about sliding into second or third base and blacking out or seeing stars," she said.

While his peers and fans praised Freel's headfirst approach throughout an eight-year career in the major leagues, which he deemed necessary to compensate for being undersize and less talented, the person closest to him became tormented by it.

"I cringed that that's who he was — all-out, full throttle," she said. "It was very hard to watch."

Still, she was surprised to learn that Freel, 36, was found dead in his Jacksonville residence on Dec. 22. Authorities concluded that the cause was a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

"I know a lot of people say they weren't shocked by it, but I really was," said Freel, who had been divorced from Ryan Freel since April after 11 years of marriage, and had spoken to him briefly on the eve of his death.

"I really thought, at some point, the answer to all of this would come along for him. It just never did."

Andrew Friedman has often said bullpens are "volatile."

The Rays have been able to successfully tweak its stock of relievers each of the past several seasons.

Tampa Bay had a Major League-best 2.88 bullpen ERA in 2012, something that will be hard to repeat.

"So many things have to go exactly right," Jim Hickey said. "If I told you right now, [Fernando] Rodney was going to save 43 out of 49 games and have a 1.89 ERA, and that would be almost a disappointment compared to last year. They really did set the bar high.

"But I expect them to be very good, I expect them to be playoff-caliber good, and if we get into the playoffs, to take us all the way."

Friedman said they're still looking for one or two relievers, and he has a track record of acquiring quality arms for the bullpen.

The Royals have signed Endy Chavez to a minor league contract.

San Francisco also had some interest in the outfielder.

Chavez signed a one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Orioles last offseason and hit .203/.236/.278 in 169 plate appearances for Baltimore in 2012.

Torii Hunter, who cited his religious upbringing, told the Los Angeles Times that having an openly homosexual teammate would be tough to deal with.

"For me, as a Christian … I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it's not right," he says. "It will be difficult and uncomfortable."

The Big League Stew points out that after playing nearly 2,000 major league games, Hunter probably has had at least one gay teammate already.

Also, when has the sexual orientation of any teammate (assuming they've all been straight) mattered in how many games a team has won?

Jose Iglesias was supposed to contend for the shortstop job in Boston this season, but will likely be stuck in the minor leagues for another year after the Red Sox signed Stephen Drew.

"He was upset," Dustin Pedroia told WEEI of Iglesias.

Pedroia said he wasn't going to let the young infielder sulk.

"I basically told him, from my situation, I felt like I was ready in 2006 to start the season in Boston, play second base and go play," Pedroia added. "But we ended up signing Mark Loretta. It ended up being a great thing for me."

Trade talks between the Phillies and Cubs are reportedly heating up as the two teams continue to discuss Alfonso Soriano.

Philadelphia is in the market for a corner infielder with some power. Soriano matches that profile almost perfectly hitting over 30 HR last season and committing only 1 error in 151 games.

Jim Bowden reported that the Cubs and Phillies had a deal tabled for Soriano on Friday night.

The Marlins are listening to offers for Giancarlo Stanton, who they claim they aren't looking to move but are simply following club policy by answering phone calls.

Stanton will not be arbitration eligible until 2014 and isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season.

Miami is in no rush to trade Stanton. Yet, it remains highly unlikely he will agree to a long-term contract.

Cole Hamels signed a $144 million contract last summer, while Zack Greinke received a $147 million deal from the Dodgers just a few weeks ago.

Over the past three seasons, Greinke has a 3.17 xFIP while Hamels is a sliver worse at 3.18.

The two just about match each other in strikeout rate (Hamels 24.2 percent, Greinke 23.3 percent), walk rate (6.1 percent, 6.2 percent) and ground ball rate (46.9 percent, 47.4 percent).

However, Hamels has outpitched Greinke ERA-wise by nearly a full run, 2.95 to 3.83.

Daniel Bard has a lot to prove this coming season with at least two relievers ahead of him.

The Red Sox acquired Joel Hanrahan to close and he'll be set up by Andrew Bailey.

Bard begin 2012 as a starter, but struggled in the role. He then struggled as a reliever after another transition.

He said he was "a little bit surprised" that the team traded for Hanrahan.

"I haven't really thought about how it affects my situation," Bard said. "I know I have a lot to prove coming into spring training, and I'm getting ready for that. Obviously my goal is to get back to the role I held for two or three years, setting up or better. Whatever I earn, that's my goal."