MLB

The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their offensive retooling Wednesday, sending longtime second baseman Neil Walker to the New York Mets in exchange for pitcher Jon Niese.

The Mets would announce the news on Twitter.

Major League Baseball is taking measures to protect fans by encouraging teams to add extra protective netting around the dugouts in all 30 stadiums. 

Per ESPN New York's Adam Rubin, MLB's new plan will insist teams have netting for all field-level seats within 70 feet of home plate on either side:

The Houston Astros are reportedly willing to consider offers for power-hitting outfielder George Springer in order to upgrade other areas of the roster.

Continue for updates.

With Carlos Gomez set to hit free agency in 2016, the Houston Astros may consider trading the outfielder this winter.  

Continue for updates.

The Oakland Athletics continued their bullpen rebuild by signing veteran right-hander John Axford. 

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle first reported Axford signed with the A's. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed the deal. 

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker has become an intriguing trade target for teams looking to upgrade at second base this winter.

Continue for updates.

Angels, Dodgers in Mix for Walker

Wednesday, Dec. 9

Bob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Post-Tribune reported the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have "very serious" interest in Walker, and while the Los Angeles Dodgers are also interested, it could be to a lesser degree.

After being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers before the 2015 season, the Brewers announced they have traded slugger Adam Lind to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitching prospects Daniel Missaki, Carlos Herrera and Freddy Peralta on Wednesday.

Surprisingly, the 2015 Major League Baseball winter meetings have yielded very little results on the free-agent market. There have been some deals, mostly involving relief pitchers, but everyone seems to be waiting for the one big shoe to drop. 

The second day of the MLB winter meetings ended with a bang Tuesday, with several moves closing out the night and even more rumors setting up what expects to be an exciting Day 3.

It's the most wonderful time of the year—and I'm not talking about Christmas.

The Hot Stove League is operating at scorching temperatures right now, with baseball's annual winter meetings providing the setting for some big free-agent signings and even bigger trades. Starlin Castro, Shelby Miller and last season's No. 1 draft pick, Dansby Swanson, have all switched teams this week.

And that may only be the beginning.