MLB

The Atlanta Braves have traded catcher Christian Bethancourt to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitcher Casey Kelley and catcher Ricardo Rodriguez.

The Braves have been as active as any team this offseason, dealing key contributors Miller, Andrelton Simmons and Cameron Maybin in the last three weeks in part of a major overhaul to build for the future.

Johnny Cueto and Jose Fernandez are just two of the big league stars whose future has yet to be determined as the winter meetings recede into the background and the 2015-2016 MLB offseason rolls along.

In addition to Cueto, there are at least a couple of prominent players who are still waiting to hit the free-agent jackpot. Meanwhile, Fernandez isn't the only dynamic major leaguer who just can't seem to shake all those pesky trade rumors.

The transaction wire was flooded in the days leading into this week’s Major League Baseball winter meetings, and it did not stop over the first two days in Nashville, Tennessee. 

But by the time Day 4 concluded Thursday, the final official day of the meetings was mostly uneventful and much of the wire activity consisted of minor or mid-level moves. Still, all can be significant to the teams involved even if the signings and trades don’t necessarily move the needle.

Not content to stand pat with their current bullpen alignment, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed free-agent right-hander Juan Nicasio. 

After a successful run with the St. Louis Cardinals down the stretch last season, right-hander Jonathan Broxton has agreed to a two-year extension with the team. 

There was a report Thursday morning from Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area that free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward could sign by the end of the day, "or very soon."

So I guess we could wait to see where Heyward goes before we do winter meetings winners and losers. Or we could wait until Chris Davis signs. Or until Johnny Cueto signs. Or until the Cincinnati Reds make a trade that actually goes through.

The Colorado Rockies reportedly reached an agreement Thursday with slugger Mark Reynolds on a one-year, $2.6 million contract that also includes incentives.

The Washington Nationals have reached an agreement Thursday to trade infielder Yunel Escobar to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for pitchers Trevor Gott and Michael Brady, announced the Angels.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman is under investigation for an alleged domestic violence incident, but his current club is still attempting to trade him.  

Continue for updates.

Nationals Interested in Chapman

Thursday, Dec. 10

Marly Rivera of ESPN Deportes reported the Nationals have "significant interest" in Chapman, despite the recent allegations. 

The 2015 MLB winter meetings have not disappointed, as several high-priced players have been made available either through free agency or via trade.

Yet, the market for offensive firepower has been relatively quiet to this point, but with the winter meetings set to close at the end of the day Thursday, we could see some last-minute deals done before the general managers part ways.