11:06 p.m.: It looks the pieces are in place for a Chicago Cubs-Kansas City Royals trade, but the deal isn’t official yet.
Source: While the Cubs/Royals' Wade Davis-for-Jorge Soler trade is "seriously down the road," it is not expected to be completed tonight.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2016
9 p.m.: Could the Kansas City Royals be readying a few moves?
As reported earlier #Royals decided to trade Davis/Dyson @Buster_ESPN @JeffPassan says close Davis to #Cubs.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 7, 2016
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays and Wilson Ramos have an agreement on a deal.
#Rays are in agreement with Ramos on 2-yr deal pending physical and that physical is a big deal because of knee
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 7, 2016
7:47 p.m.: Here are some updates on free agent Jose Bautista.
Interesting development; Jays met with Jose Bautista today and are back in talks with him
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
The call to Joey Bats came right after the Indians expressed interest in him. Bautista loves Toronto, so may work out.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
3:09 p.m.: Believe it or not, the hot stove still is on after the Chris Sale trade.
#Dodgers and #Royals engaged in trade discussions but progress is slow, source says. @McCulloughTimes has been on this. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 6, 2016
3:08 p.m.: The Boston Red Sox still will be on the hook for Yoan Moncada’s hefty contract, per Bruce Levine.
Wow-The Red Sox will pay the entire $31.2 million left on Yoan Moncada's original $63 million deal. White Sox get sweet deal on the money.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) December 6, 2016
2:25 p.m.: It appears the Boston Red Sox were on the right side of some shrewd swindling by Chicago.
Popular theory in the industry: CWS pushed/leaked Nats to the brink of a deal for Sale, then took that leverage to BOS to get last pieces.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 6, 2016
1:35 p.m.: Boston reportedly got its man.
The Red Sox agreed to a trade with the Chicago White Sox for left-handed ace Chris Sale, according to multiple reports. Highly regarded prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech reportedly are going to Chicago as part of the deal, which was first reported Tuesday by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
BREAKING: Sale to #RedSox. Moncada, Kopech and two other prospects to #WhiteSox.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox also are acquiring outfielder Luis Basabe and right-handed pitcher Victor Diaz. The Nationals were believed to be in talks with the White Sox about a trade for Sale, but Boston evidently came over the top with an offer Chicago couldn’t refuse.
So the #WhiteSox get four of the #RedSox's top prospects, led by Yoan Moncada, RHP Michael Kopech, OF Luis Basabe and RHP Victor Diaz.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 6, 2016
The Red Sox now figure to enter 2017 with a rotation headlined by Sale, David Price and 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello. This is a huge coup for Boston despite the team giving up very intriuing prospects, including Moncada, who some view as the best farmhand in Major League Baseball.
12:45 p.m.: Of course, if the Washington Nationals were to acquire Chris Sale, they could then look to move some of their starting pitching, which they’re reportedly open to doing.
From ESPN’s Jayson Stark: “The Nationals are telling teams that if they complete their deal for Chris Sale, they would make Gio Gonzalez available. In a light free agent pitching market should have no trouble moving him.”
12:40 p.m.: It’s probably still a little too early for Nationals fans to run out and make orders for custom “Chris Sale” Washington jerseys, as it sounds like there’s at least one more team still in the mix: the Boston Red Sox.
Sources: #RedSox remain strongly in mix for #WhiteSox’s Sale, along with #Nationals.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
12:11 p.m.: Adding to the earlier report on the Boston Red Sox’s reported interest in Mitch Moreland.
From the Star-Telegram:
“A source said that the Cleveland Indians were also still in the mix but believed that the Red Sox were the clear front-runner. Moreland would fill two needs for Boston, which needs a first baseman and a left-handed bat.”
11:42 a.m.: The New York Yankees still are interested in bringing back Aroldis Chapman, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports.
yankees remain focused on chapman, who has offers of $80M. won't go more than five years. more for @FanRagSports – https://t.co/AaqeUcF6o5
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2016
11:27 a.m.: The Boston Red Sox seriously have their eye on Mitch Moreland, per FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Source confirms: #RedSox strongly in mix for Mitch Moreland. First reported: @JeffWilson_FWST.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
11:20 a.m.: It appears the Boston Red Sox are content with their bullpen after landing Tyler Thornburg, which means Koji Uehara’s tenure in Boston likely is over.
Dombrowski said he's not looking for further additions to his bullpen at this point. That means no Uehara or Ziegler.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) December 6, 2016
11:11 a.m.: The Tampa Bay Rays will be a team to keep an eye on.
The interest in Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly, on the other hand, has been strong, as @Joelsherman1 said. Rays almost certain to deal a starter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2016
11:10 a.m.: The Tyler Thornburg-Travis Shaw trade is official.
#RedSox sent INF Travis Shaw, minor leaguers Mauricio Dubon (INF) and Josh Pennington (RHP), & a PTBNL or cash considerations to Milwaukee.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) December 6, 2016
11:09 a.m.: Dave Dombrowski might not be done wheeling and dealing.
Source: Boston now in on Mitch Moreland, who could be making a decision soon. Cleveland also in the mix. #Rangers are out.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) December 6, 2016
9:33 a.m.: The Boston Red Sox gave up a relatively big haul to reportedly acquire Tyler Thornburg from the Milwaukee Brewers, but the right-hander is one of the best relievers casual fans might not have heard of.
Travis Shaw plus pennington and dubon go to brewers in Thornburg deal. @EvanDrellich 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2016
9:20 a.m.: The Boston Red Sox are getting a reliever, which is what they wanted. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers will send Tyler Thornburg to Boston.
Source: #RedSox acquire Tyler Thornburg from #Brewers
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
9:19 a.m.: We’re starting to learn more about the reported Boston Red Sox-Milwaukee Brewers trade. We’re still not sure who the Red Sox will get in the deal.
Travis Shaw is expected to be in deal to Brewers. Still trying to discern who goes to the Red Sox.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 6, 2016
#RedSox prospect Josh Pennington is going to Milwaukee in this deal.
— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) December 6, 2016
9:15 a.m.: Speaking of the Boston Red Sox, it might be too early to count them out on the Chris Sale front. Multiple reports indicated the Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals were nearing a deal centered around the ace, but …
Sources: #RedSox checked in today with #WhiteSox on Sale. Dombrowski said no “driving” force to add SP, but not necessarily one-team race.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
Source adds: #RedSox also reached out to other teams on other players today trying to get a better feel for asking prices post-CBA.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
9:10 a.m.: The Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers reportedly found common ground on a trade that’s expected to bring relief pitching to Boston.
Sources: Red Sox, Brewers have agreed on a trade. Red Sox expected to land relief pitching.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 6, 2016
9 a.m.: The Miami Marlins are a potential darkhorse this offseason, and they’ve got some big plans, according to Jon Heyman.
Marlins are talking to many relievers, not just chapman and top choice jansen. Want to build "super pen"
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2016
8:50 a.m.: Mike Napoli has no shortage of suitors, according to reports, and the Seattle Mariners reportedly are one of those teams.
The #Mariners continue to maintain a dialogue with Mike Napoli. He remains one of their first base options.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 6, 2016
8 a.m.: There was a flurry of action Monday at the Major League Baseball winter meetings, and more of the same could happen Tuesday.
The two big signings Monday came on the mound, as one of the top relievers and arguably the top starting pitcher came off the board. The San Francisco Giants, who had a miserable bullpen in 2016, added reinforcements by signing Mark Melancon. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers retained the services of Rich Hill, signing him to a three-year deal and making him very, well, rich in the process.
But there still are plenty of big names not only looking to sign but waiting to see if they’ll be included in blockbuster trades. Most notably, Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale looks like he’s about to change addresses, and it sure sounds like Mr. Sale could be going to Washington, as the Nationals emerged as a reported front-runner for the left-hander late Monday night. The Nats also have been tied to Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, as it looks like the former MVP’s days in Pittsburgh are all but over.
So, yeah, Tuesday figures to be a big day in Maryland. We’ll be following all of the latest news and rumors throughout the day, so be sure to check in all day long.
Read Monday’s winter meetings live blog >>
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
