What are MLB teams doing during the lockout? A lot

During the lockout, Major League Baseball personnel notably cannot speak with their major league players -- not about free agency talks, rehab assignments, or spring plans. That gag order extends to the press, too -- and early evidence shows that it has been effective, with some staffers mentioning fears of having their phone records checked. One executive reached out through his spouse's cell phone. "Sorry," he said, apologizing for the unfamiliar number, "I'm just trying to be careful."

It might be harder to talk about than usual, but underneath the transactional and information blackout, there is a lot going on.

Normally, personnel movement in MLB front offices and field staffs occurs in…