Thursday, 10:40 a.m.: Day 3 of the 2013 MLB winter meetings is in the books. It was another rather uneventful 24 hours.
The biggest news of Day 3 was perhaps the Mets’ reported signing of Bartolo Colon to a two-year, $20 million contract. The Mariners also continued their transformation by reportedly signing Corey Hart and trading for Logan Morrison.
We did learn a few interesting tidbits, at least. The Dodgers reportedly told Matt Kemp’s agent that they are not looking to trade the outfielder, and the Phillies reportedly are “shopping the [crap]” out of Jonathan Papelbon.
We have one more day for teams to mingle and get things done in Orlando. Follow the fourth and final day of the winter meetings at the link below.
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11:15 p.m.: CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees turned down a deal with the Reds that would’ve sent Brett Gardner to Cincinnati in exchange for Brandon Phillips.
7:31 p.m.: According to Ben Cherington, the Red Sox looked at Johan Santana, but the left-hander is not someone who they will pursue.
7:27 p.m.: Shin-Soo Choo is believed to have a seven-year offer in hand, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan. The belief reportedly is that whichever team goes to eight years will land the free-agent outfielder.
7:23 p.m.: ESPN’s Jayson Stark is hearing that Raul Ibanez might be going to the Angels.
7:14 p.m.: Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington met with Stephen Drew on Wednesday, according to CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam.
Cherington reportedly said that the Red Sox have a better understanding of what’s important to Drew in the wake of the meeting.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman also reports that the Red Sox are hoping to retain Drew.
6:50 p.m.: The Mariners might use Corey Hart in the outfield and at DH, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. In other words, Hart isn’t locked into first base despite his knee problems.
5:59 p.m.: The Diamondbacks figure to be big players for Masahiro Tanaka if the Japanese hurler gets posted.
According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Tanaka is Arizona’s No. 1 target. The D-Backs reportedly are continuing to explore trades and other free-agent options while they await word on Tanaka’s fate.
5:54 p.m.: Scott Boras spoke with reporters in Orlando and shed some light on the current state of his Stephen Drew negotiations.
“He’s going to have numerous options to choose from,” Boras told reporters. “Obviously, there are a variety of teams that want a shortstop of his defensive acumen, capability.”
Boras didn’t rule out an eventual return to the Red Sox, but made clear that the situation is still developing. There’s a belief among some that the draft pick attached to Drew by virtue of Boston’s qualifying offer is leading to a diminished market for the veteran shortstop.
If Drew signs elsewhere, Xander Bogaerts figures to be the Red Sox’ starting shortstop in 2014. Bogaerts is also a Boras client.
“Clearly, Bogaerts played very well in September. He hit about .270 and his defense was great,” Boras told reporters. “Bogaerts really established himself in the major leagues. When you’ve got a young man that age playing in that environment, it’s a pretty remarkable achievement.
“I think Xander Bogaerts is going to be one of the top five players in baseball.”
5:41 p.m.: The Giants are negotiating with Jeff Baker, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area.
5:38 p.m.: Some more news has become available regarding Corey Hart’s reported deal with the Mariners.
Hart’s one-year pact is worth $6 million guaranteed with incentives that could earn him up to $13 million, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.
Mike Napoli inked a similar deal with the Red Sox last offseason. Napoli’s deal was worth $5 million guaranteed, but the slugger ended up earning the full $13 million through incentives.
5:33 p.m.: The Mets have won the Bartolo Colon sweepstakes.
(That sentence right there pretty much sums up these winter meetings thus far.)
Colon has agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Mets pending a physical, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
5:29 p.m.: The Pirates have added some pitching.
According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Pirates have signed Edinson Volquez to a one-year, $5 million contract pending a physical.
5:22 p.m.: MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros are continuing to push hard for Jose Veras and could get a deal done Wednesday.
5:18 p.m.: The Astros have acquired Anthony Bass and a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Padres in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.
4:56 p.m.: With the Mariners landing both Corey Hart and Logan Morrison on Wednesday, much of the attention regarding first base shifts to James Loney.
The Brewers, who reportedly had interest in Hart before he signed with the Mariners, have sincere interest in Loney. However, Milwaukee doesn’t expect to get anything done before the end of the winter meetings.
4:52 p.m.: The Yankees like Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Sherman wonders if Gregorius could play second base and serve as insurance for Derek Jeter this season before then replacing the Yankee great at shortstop in 2015.
4:48 p.m.: Don’t count on Justin Masterson getting traded this winter.
Indians manager Terry Francona called Masterson to tell him that he isn’t going to be dealt this offseason, according to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
“Like it or not, you’re not getting rid of us,” Francona reportedly told Masterson.
4:45 p.m.: We have an interesting quote from Reds general manager Walt Jocketty.
“I think we have to move on,” Jocketty told C. Trent Rosecrans of Shin-Soo Choo.
4:42 p.m.: Scott Boras told reporters that he has received multiple offers for Shin-Soo Choo, and that the oufielder is taking his time to look at all of his options alongside his wife.
4:34 p.m.: Jonathan Papelbon is there for the taking.
We learned earlier this week that the Phillies are shopping Papelbon, although the biggest hurdle is that the closer is owed $26 million over the next two seasons. Well, according to CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury, the Phillies are willing to pay some of that money.
“They’re selling the [crap] out of him,” a representative from one club told Salisbury.
The Phillies reportedly approached the Indians with a willingness to eat some of Papelbon’s salary, but Cleveland wasn’t interested. According to Salisbury, there isn’t much interest at all in Papelbon at these winter meetings.
4:19 p.m.: Corey Hart’s deal compares favorably with the contract signed by Mike Napoli last offseason, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Napoli, of course, received a $5 million contract that increased to $13 million through incentives.
3:31 p.m.: How would you feel if your favorite team was linked to Joba Chamberlain?
That’s the reality that Astros fans and Tigers fans are facing right now, as both Houston and Detroit are linked to the once-promising reliever.
The Houston Chronicle’s Evan Drellich reports that the Astros have interest in Chamberlain as a buy-low candidate, while Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown lists the Tigers as a potential destination in a tweet.
3:26 p.m.: While the Yankees may be interested in Omar Infante, they have no intention of giving the infielder a four-year deal, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Given this bit of news, the Royals, who lost out on Carlos Beltran, might be the favorites to land Infante.
3:23 p.m.: The Rangers like Shin-Soo Choo a lot, but are not convinced that he’s worth his $22 million per year asking price, says Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Re-signing Nelson Cruz might be a more viable option for Texas.
3:20 p.m.: The Blue Jays would like to add a starting pitcher, and according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Toronto has looked into David Price and Jeff Samardzija as potential trade options.
The Jays reportedly consider the prices to be too high, though, as they would prefer not to part ways with Aaron Sanchez or Marcus Stroman.
3:17 p.m.: The Giants have checked in on the David Price sweepstakes, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. The two sides reportedly haven’t gotten into any sort of exchange, though.
3:13 p.m.: The Mariners are having a busy afternoon.
Not only did Seattle reportedly sign Corey Hart to a one-year deal, but the Mariners also acquired Logan Morrison from the Marlins in exchange for right-hander Carter Capps, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
2:43 p.m.: Corey Hart is joining a new organization.
According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, Hart is joining the Mariners on a one-year deal. The slugger could slot in behind Robinson Cano.
Hart, who has had surgery on both knees, missed all of 2013. He’s a solid buy-low candidate given his power, though, especially since there’s not a whole lot of it available on the open market.
Hart was drafted by the Brewers in 2000 and spent parts of nine big league seasons with Milwaukee. It was believed that the two sides had interest in continuing their relationship, but apparently, Hart is ready to make a change.
2:35 p.m.: The Nationals’ quest to land a left-handed reliever has netted them Jerry Blevins, according to MLBDailyDish.com’s Chris Cotillo.
Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan reports that the Nationals will send minor league outfielder Billy Burns to the A’s in the deal.
Blevins, 30, posted a 5-0 record and 3.15 ERA in 67 appearances for the Athletics in 2013.
2:30 p.m.: Jon Heyman is hearing that the Mariners are in on Corey Hart, who is continuing to weigh his options.
2:28 p.m.: Jerry Hairston Jr. is calling it a career.
Hairston is retiring after a 16-year career that included stops with nine different organizations. He spent the first seven years of his career with the Orioles before going on to play for the Rangers, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, Padres, Nationals, Yankees and Brewers.
The 37-year-old will join the Dodgers’ broadcast team for the upcoming season.
2:21 p.m.: The Matt Kemp speculation is really starting to die down.
Kemp’s agent, Dave Stewart, told ESPN’s Jayson Stark that the Dodgers informed him Wednesday that they have no plans to move the outfielder. Stewart said this week that he thought his client would get dealt this offseason.
The Red Sox were linked to Kemp, but reports surfaced Tuesday stating that talks haven’t reached a serious stage. According to The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, there are too many “complications” — most notably, Kemp’s recovery from an ankle injury — for a deal between the Red Sox and Dodgers to work.
2:05 p.m.: The Pirates have signed Charlie Morton to a three-year, $21 million contract extension, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan. The total value of the deal reportedly could reach $30 million.
Believe it or not, Morton’s deal marks the biggest contract given out at the winter meetings thus far.
Morton returned from reconstructive elbow surgery in June and was solid for the Pirates this past season. He went 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts while also posting an impressive 62.9 percent ground ball rate. He made a career-high 29 starts in 2010 and went 10-10 with a 3.83 ERA.
Morton, who was slated to become a free agent after the 2014 season, will reportedly receive $4 million in 2014, $8 million in 2015 and $8 million in 2016. The deal also reportedly includes a club option for the 2017 season worth $9.5 million.
1:56 p.m.: Eight teams have shown interest in Johan Santana, according to ESPN.com’s Andrew Marchand.
The Yankees, Mets, Twins, Rays, Orioles, Royals, Brewers and Pirates have all reportedly expressed varying levels of interest.
Santana’s agent, Peter Greenberg, said that his client will sign a deal now if a club separates itself from the pack. Otherwise, Santana plans to throw for interested teams in January.
Santana has missed two of the last three seasons with a shoulder injury, so teams are likely looking to give the 34-year-old left-hander an incentive-laden contract.
1:38 p.m.: The Matt Garza market appears to be heating up, even if nothing is imminent.
According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, the Diamondbacks, Twins and Angels are among the teams interested in Garza, who could sign within the next 24-48 hours. Heyman notes that other teams might also be interested.
12:55 p.m.: The Yankees have joined the Royals in pursuit of Omar Infante, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.
FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi reported earlier that the Royals and two other teams are pursuing Infante.
12:52 p.m.: The Diamondbacks are definitely talking with Matt Garza, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, who adds that Arizona has work to do if it wants to land the right-hander.
12:50 p.m.: Maybe Max Scherzer is available after all.
Despite a previous report indicating that Scherzer is unlikely to be extended or traded by the Tigers, Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan is reporting that the reigning AL Cy Young is “definitely in play.” Nothing is imminent, but according to Passan, other teams know that Scherzer could be had in a trade.
12:46 p.m.: The Marlins have checked in on Delmon Young, who is working out at first base, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro.
12:44 p.m.: FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal is now hearing that Brandon Phillips is “definitely in play.” The Reds will reportedly move Phillips if it improves the club for 2014.
12:40 p.m.: The Diamondbacks made a splash Tuesday by trading for Mark Trumbo. Now, it appears that Arizona is eyeing starting pitching.
The D-Backs could still trade for a starting pitcher, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports. Teams are reportedly expressing interest in shortstops Didi Gregorius and Chris Owings.
12:29 p.m.: If and when Masahiro Tanaka is posted by his Japanese club, the Cubs will be involved in the bidding, according to Bruce Levine of WSCR.
11:38 a.m.: Teams checking in on Matt Garza have been told that the veteran right-hander could sign in the next 24-48 hours, according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark.
11:33 a.m.: Shin-Soo Choo wants to get paid. And after seeing Jacoby Ellsbury land a seven-year, $153 million contract, can you blame him?
One general manager told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that Choo is looking for $140 million over seven years. The New York Daily News’ Mark Feinsand is hearing the same.
11:28 a.m.: There have been conflicting reports this offseason about the Reds’ willingness — or even desire — to trade Brandon Phillips. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal says that Cincinnati is not ruling out potentially trading the polarizing second baseman.
The Yankees lost Robinson Cano via free agency, but according to Rosenthal, they’re not discussing Phillips with the Reds at this moment.
11:23 a.m.: The Brewers aren’t the only team vying for Corey Hart’s services. According to Jon Heyman, other teams have submitted offers and the slugger is weighing his options.
11:21 a.m.: The Rockies, in search of late-inning relief, have had talks with Joaquin Benoit, although it appears that he’ll take a more lucrative offer elsewhere, according to FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi.
11:18 a.m.: We learned earlier this week that the Phillies reportedly are shopping Jonathan Papelbon. Dealing the closer won’t be easy, though.
Papelbon is owed $13 million each of the next two seasons and has a vesting option for 2016. One rival executive told CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman that the Phillies might need to eat “40-50 percent” of Papelbon’s $13 million salary to get rid of the right-hander.
11:15 a.m.: The Orioles on Tuesday were considered the favorites to land Grant Balfour. Baltimore might still sign the free-agent reliever, but the O’s have also had talks with John Axford, according to FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi.
11:13 a.m.: There’s been plenty of talk about the Twins pursuing Bronson Arroyo. But Minnesota is also considering Bartolo Colon, Matt Garza and Mike Pelfrey, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.
The Twins, of course, have already signed Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes this offseason.
11:10 a.m.: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted Wednesday morning that the Yankees would love to try to acquire Indians starter Justin Masterson via a three-way trade involving Brett Gardner. Don’t count on it happening, though.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that there are no legs to the Masterson-Yankees rumors and that Cleveland isn’t close to making any trades at this point.
11:05 a.m.: Omar Infante is even more interesting now that Robinson Cano is out of the picture. Yet there hasn’t been much speculation regarding the versatile infielder.
That could change on Day 3. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Royals and two other teams are actively talking with Infante. MLBDailyDish.com’s Chris Cotillo, meanwhile, says that an Infante decision could come soon, and that the Royals might be the favorites to land the 31-year-old.
10:59 a.m.: It sounds like the Reds are open to the idea of re-signing Shin-Soo Choo. They just might not have the financial means to make it happen.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman says that the Reds met Tuesday night to discuss Choo. But while Cincinnati would love to have the outfielder back, the club’s inability to shed salary by trading Brandon Phillips has dimmed its hopes.
10:56 a.m.: Logan Morrison apparently isn’t the only player that the Marlins are listening to offers on.
The Marlins are shopping Justin Ruggiano, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman adds that Miami might deal Greg Dobbs.
10:52 a.m.: A lot of cold water was tossed on the Matt Kemp/Red Sox rumors Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean that Kemp won’t still be traded.
Just don’t expect Kemp to be traded within the next couple of days. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers are getting plenty of action on Kemp, but say that a deal is unlikely to be consummated at the winter meetings.
10:48 a.m.: It might just be a matter of time before Corey Hart re-signs with the Brewers.
All indications have been that the two sides would like to continue their relationship, and according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers are optimistic about the chances of Hart returning.
The Brewers are reportedly waiting to hear back from the slugger.
10:43 a.m.: Many assumed that by trading Prince Fielder to the Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler and thus saving a ton of money, the Tigers would lock up reigning Cy Young winner Max Scherzer to a long-term contract extension. But that isn’t exactly a foregone conclusion.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Tigers are telling teams that they’re not optimistic about getting an extension done with Scherzer. However, Stark also adds that Detroit has no plans to trade the right-hander.
10:39 a.m.: Colby Rasmus might be available. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports that the Blue Jays will try to use Rasmus to land a starting pitcher.
10:35 a.m.: The Rays are also interested in utilityman Jamey Carroll, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.
Carroll is coming off a down season split between Minnesota and Kansas City, but the 39-year-old might still catch on somewhere as a utility infielder. The Rangers and Indians reportedly have interest as well.
10:24 a.m.: Assuming James Loney signs elsewhere, the Rays need a first baseman. And according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, Tampa Bay is casting a “wide net” in its search.
Heyman reports that the Rays are interested in Mark Reynolds, who is perhaps the most all-or-nothing player in baseball.
Reynolds signed with the Yankees in August after the Indians got rid of him. The 30-year-old has tremendous power — jacking a career-high 44 home runs in 2009 and eclipsing the 30-homer mark three times — but is a career .233 hitter who has led the league in strikeouts on four separate occasions.
10:15 a.m. ET: You haven’t lost interest, have you?
The first two days of the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Fla., have admittedly been slow. The biggest news of Day 2 was Mark Trumbo’s trade to the Diamondbacks. Aside from that, it was a relatively uneventful 24 hours, which, again, is because of last week’s free-agent frenzy.
But if there’s one thing that we’ve learned over the years, it’s that the biggest moves are often ones that you don’t see coming. And with names like David Price, Matt Kemp, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels being tossed around in trade rumors, you’d be wise to keep checking in to see if anything major starts brewing. There are still a few potential impact free agents available as well, such as Shin-Soo Choo, Stephen Drew, Nelson Cruz, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana.
NESN.com — as it has through the first two days of the winter meetings — will keep you up to speed on all that transpires down in Orlando. Keep it right here. If nothing else, it’s an excuse to procrastinate a little bit.
