Free agents are flying off the board, with David Price and Zack Greinke, among others, already finding new homes on the open market this offseason.
But that doesn’t mean this week’s Major League Baseball winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., aren’t worth obsessing over. You simply never know what’s going to happen when front office members from all 30 organizations convene in one place. The early-offseason activity might simply be an appetizer.
Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox last week. Greinke reportedly agreed to a six-year, $206.5 million pact with the Arizona Diamondbacks shortly after. They represented the top-ranked pitchers in free agency, but other impact arms remain available and the best position players, including outfielder Jason Heyward, still are there for the taking.
Plus, blockbuster trades also are possible, as players like Todd Frazier, Aroldis Chapman, Shelby Miller and Jonathan Papelbon already have been tossed around in speculation.
Hopefully you’re hungry for rumors, rumors and more rumors. Oh yeah, and some actual deals, too.
Three storylines to watch
1. Will the New York Mets trade a starter?
The Mets rode their starting pitching to a World Series berth in 2015. Their rotation will only be deeper with the return of Zack Wheeler, who missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Conventional wisdom says the Mets should keep everyone and go for it again, and perhaps that’s what they’ll do. But New York definitely needs to improve its offense. And trading someone Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard or Wheeler would be one way to accomplish that.
2. A battle in the NL Central?
The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs both seem poised to spend money this offseason. Both also are believed to be seeking starting pitching help, though the Cubs might have quenched their thirst by reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $32 million contract with John Lackey. This creates an interesting dynamic in free agency, as the division rivals might find themselves going toe to toe.
3. Where will all the closers land?
Chapman, Papelbon, Andrew Miller, Mark Melancon, Ken Giles — those are just a few of the relievers who have been mentioned in trade speculation this winter, so it’ll be interesting to see where certain guys are pitching the ninth inning in 2016. The Red Sox already made a splash in the relief market by acquiring All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres a few weeks ago.
Three teams to watch
1. San Francisco Giants
The Giants were willing to spend big bucks last offseason when they lost out in the Jon Lester sweepstakes and made a push to re-sign Pablo Sandoval before the third baseman signed with the Red Sox. San Francisco also was believed to be a finalist for Greinke before he agreed to a deal with the D-Backs last week.
Perhaps signing Jeff Samardzija, who reportedly agreed to a five-year, $90 contract with the Giants, will be San Francisco’s major move. Or perhaps the Giants have more up their sleeve.
2. New York Yankees
Is it possible the Bronx Bombers are laying in the weeds?
The Yankees haven’t been mentioned much this offseason. It could be due to the payroll commitments they already have on the books. Or it could be part of Brian Cashman’s plan to swoop in for someone like Justin Upton or Yoenis Cespedes at the last minute. Never count them out.
3. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds lost 98 games in 2015. They’re also stuck in no man’s land, as the Cardinals, Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates each won at least 97 games. It’s fairly obvious Cincinnati is going to trade some of its major league players as part of its rebuild, and the following nugget suggests no one is off limits.
Most intriguing free agent: Chris Davis, 1B
The Baltimore Orioles’ trade for Mark Trumbo might not eliminate them from re-signing Davis, but it sure seems like the club is preparing for life without the All-Star slugger. If so, that adds even more uncertainty to Davis’ market, which remains a mystery at this point.
Davis, who slugged 53 home runs in 2013 and 47 in 2015, has more power than anyone on the open market — or perhaps anyone in baseball, for that matter — so he’ll certainly be paid handsomely. He strikes out a ton, though, so there’s plenty of risk involved with giving him a lucrative, long-term deal.
Most intriguing trade target: Shelby Miller, SP, Atlanta Braves
Miller, a first-round pick in 2009, was traded last November in the deal that sent Heyward to the Cardinals. Now, his name is being tossed around in trade rumors again, with the idea being that Atlanta could look to add several pieces by dealing one of its most valuable assets.
It’s rare to see a 25-year-old with so much talent made available three seasons before he hits free agency. Miller lost 17 games in 2015, but much of that was due to a lack of run support. He posted a 3.02 ERA, pitched 205 1/3 innings and even earned an All-Star selection. The best might be yet to come.
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