The Marlins on Friday parted with two pitching prospects to bolster their bullpen, as they acquired right-hander Aaron Crow from the Royals for Brian Flynn and Reid Redman.

In Kansas City, Crow was part of one of the top bullpens, posting a 6-1 mark with a 4.12 ERA and three saves in 59 innings last season. 

Jason Frasor and the Royals have agreed to a one-year contract with a 2016 mutual option that guarantees the reliever $1.8 million, according to an ESPN.com report on Friday.

The 37-year-old right-hander was acquired from Texas in July and went 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 23 games for Kansas City.

The Oakland Athletics have traded Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for four players.

For Donaldson, the A's will receive third baseman Brett Lawrie, right-hander Kendall Graveman, left-hander Sean Nolin and minor league shortstop Franklin Barreto.

Donaldson told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was playing video games when his agent texted him about the trade.

"I'm so shocked," Donaldson told the newspaper. "I just got off the phone with [general manager] Billy Beane, and I guess they got an offer that they couldn't resist. I'm definitely a little emotional about it. Oakland is my home. At the end of the day, it's a business, as much as it hurts emotionally. The guys in that clubhouse are my brothers."

Beane considers both pitchers ready for the majors.

"They had been pretty persistent, and we were pretty adamant that wasn't something we were willing to talk about," Beane said of dealing Donaldson. "We wouldn't have done the deal unless it addressed now and the future, and they were able to do that. This deal in our minds addresses a little bit of everything. It got pretty serious the last 48 hours. They were reluctant to give up all four players, and we weren't going to do it without those four players in the deal."

According to wins above replacement, only Mike Trout has been more valuable than Donaldson over the past two seasons.

No real deal is close, but the San Diego Padres have reportedly had discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers about Matt Kemp.

San Diego is exploring every avenue in an attempt to upgrade their offense this offseason.

Now that Yasmany Tomas has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the market for Nelson Cruz could begin to take shape very soon.

Cruz now sits atop a thin list of free-agent power hitters with Tomas, Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez off the market.

Cruz led the Major Leagues with 40 home runs after signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles prior to the 2014 season.

The Cincinnati Reds are looking to trade Jay Bruce and want "inexpensive major-league ready players" in return, according to scouts from a rival club.

Bruce will earn $12 million next season, $12.5 million in 2016 and has a $13 million option for 2017 with a $1 million buyout.

Frank Coonelly, the president for the Pittsburgh Pirates, says the club is likely to increase their payroll heading into the 2015 season.

The Pirates "certainly can and I suspect will" top $90 million in payroll for 2015, according to the executive.

Pittsburgh's 40-man payroll for 2014 was around $82 million.

Andrew Miller, who dominated down the stretch for the Baltimore Orioles, is negotiating seriously with eight to 10 teams.

The Orioles aren't one of those teams, according to a source.

Miller is expected to receive a four-year deal and the Orioles have seemed content to let him walk since free agency began.

The Miami Marlins continue to look for help at first base and they have added Allen Craig to their list of targets.

The Boston Red Sox acquired Craig from the St. Louis Cardinals at midseason, along with Joe Kelly, in exchange for John Lackey.