Outside The Confines: Hot stove! Hot stove! Hot stove!

Baseball is BACK. We know, we know, you’re sick of hearing it. Or maybe you’re not. I’m certainly not sick of saying it. After a dozen articles wondering “is today the day?” “will the lockout ever end?” “is baseball ever coming back?” it’s an absolute delight to get to write and share content that isn’t just about the lockout and the terms of the deal.

I grant you, there’s a LITTLE bit about the terms of the CBA in here, but it’s being warmed on all sides by the hottest of hot-stove news. Ever since the deal was finalized on Thursday night, fans have been watching with eager anticipation to see where the remaining free agents left unsigned in early December would land now that they were free to make deals.

It wasn’t an immediate explosion of deals, but we have seen a steady stream of signings over the weekend, not to mention a few trades in the mix as well. With those moves we’re starting to get a sense of which teams want a bite of those expanded playoff spots (the Twins) and which teams seem poised to coast through the season with a mighty “meh” (the Reds).

Let's take a look at some of the highlights of moves from over the weekend and provide some resources to keep you up to the minute with all the signings and news.

• In what may end up being his final season, Clayton Kershaw is back with the Dodgers for a one-year deal, writes Kevin Goldstein.
• SI has a frequently-updated article tracking moves made after the deadline.
• ESPN likewise has their own free agent tracker going.
• If you’re a subscriber to The Athletic, they have a tracker going as well, of course.
• It’s not just free agents being scooped up, trades are also in the mix, including the Reds seeming desire to dump salary as they move Sonny Gray to the Twins. Story by Nick Selbe.
• Bradford Doolittle probes the trade a bit more, exploring what it insinuates for both the Twins and the Reds.
• Speaking of the Twins, they’ve made quite the trade with the Yankees as well, shares Bryan Hoch.
• Buster Olney highlights the market for free agent relievers.
• Ken Rosenthal wonders of hot free agent Carlos Correa might consider signing a one-year deal. (The Athletic subscription required.)

Now onto the rest of today’s links!

• The shift is sticking around, at least for this season, and Justin Choi looks at what would and wouldn’t work if it was banned.
• Apparently, Jackie Bradley Jr. was at Mookie Betts’ wedding when he found out he was going back to the Red Sox, shares Ian Browne.
• Jim Bowden looks at how the job of the GM will change under the new CBA. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• This would be feel-good news if Ippei hadn’t had to resign from his job to make it work, but at least he’s back with the team now.

• Former big leaguer Jim Poole has been diagnosed with ALS, a disease that was once best known because of another MLBer, Lou Gehrig, shares Dan Connolly. (The Athletic subscription required)
• Justin Verlander shares his feelings on being back at spring training after missing last season to recoup from Tommy John.
• Uh, Steve, this isn’t necessarily something to brag about...

• Cohen’s comments are certainly making the rounds, and Mike McDaniel explores it a little more.
• Meanwhile, in spite of the hubbub caused by the “Cohen Tax,” Stephanie Apstein highlights how grateful the Mets are to be back in action this week.
• And to wrap this up on the best one-liner of the weekend...

And tomorrow will be a better day, Buster. Make it so.