Lookout Linkage, 12/21/14

Hello everyone! Here's the latest from around the league:

• The Mariners have given spring training invites to a trio of players, at least one of which should be pretty familiar to M's fans.
• Japanese starter Kenta Maeda will not be posted this offseason.
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs analyzes the Royals' strange offseason.
• Nathaniel Grow of Fangraphs wonders if the MLB will really see an impact due to the update on U.S.-Cuba relations any time soon.
• Grant Brisbee looks at four teams who have been oddly silent so far this offseason.
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs wonders if projected team WAR has any correlation to how a team actually performs.
• The Royals have signed pitcher Kris Medlen to a two-year deal.
• The Athletics continued their bizarre offseason by dealing catcher Derek Norris to San Diego.
• The Padres-Dodgers trade involving Matt Kemp has finally been completed.
• In addition, the Dodgers-Phillies swap involving Jimmy Rollins has been finalized.
• The Giants and starter Jake Peavy have agreed on a two-year deal.
• Corey Hart has signed with the Pirates on a major league deal.
• Justin Upton has been traded to the Padres.
• Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs takes a look at the prospects involved in the Upton trade.
• The Padres and Red Sox have agreed to a trade that sends third baseman Will Middlebrooks to San Diego.
• Dave Cameron at Fangraphs analyzes the new-look Padres outfield and what to expect from them going forward.
• The winning bid for Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang was $5MM, but it is not known which team placed the bid.
• The Yankees and Marlins have agreed to a trade that will send Martin Prado to Miami.