It mostly was a quiet day Thursday at the Major League Baseball winter meetings.
There were some interesting rumors, though, including a mystery team being in on Jason Heyward. You can check out that rumor and more in the live blog below.
5:28 p.m.:Â We’ve heard rumors that the Nationals are shopping both Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen. They’ll obviously need to replace those guys. Shawn Kelley should help.
Shawn Kelley signing saga is complete. Agrees to 3-year deal with #nationals. Total payout in the $15-16M neighborhood.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 10, 2015
4:53 p.m.:Â Remember that “mystery team” linked to Jason Heyward? It could be the Nationals.
Nats are in on jason heyward. Mystery team has been solved. Washington joins cubs, cards in JH derby.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
Heyward could play CF in Washington. Hard to see them moving bryce to CF. JH could also spell jayson Werth a bit in LF.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
Hear, too, that heyward is said to have a $200M offer. More likely to be from nats or cards than cubs. Could be 4th team tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
3:44 p.m.:Â A report Wednesday indicated that the Cincinnati Reds were shopping Todd Frazier. Is it possible the defending World Series champions are considering taking the bait?
Most fascinating tidbit I heard today: The Royals talked to the Reds about dealing for Todd Frazier. Presumably would play him in LF
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 10, 2015
This is a fun rumor because Kansas City already has Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer plugged in at third base and first base, respectively. If the Royals decide to shift Frazier to left field, he’d replace Alex Gordon, who’s currently a free agent.
3:34 p.m.:Â The Angels reportedly are making a move.
Yunel escobar is traded to angels
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
All’s quiet on Los Angeles’ reported pursuit of an outfielder, though.
I'm told Angels are not seriously involved with Jason Heyward at this time. Also not Gordon, Upton or Cespedes. Certainly can change though.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 10, 2015
Yunel Escobar played mostly third base with the Nationals last season, though the bulk of his major league experience has come at shortstop. The 33-year-old thus will give the Halos defensive versatility in addition to some offensive potential.
Escobar had an excellent 2015 campaign, hitting .314 with nine home runs, 56 RBIs and a .375 on-base percentage in 139 games with the Nats.
3:03 p.m.:Â The D-Backs have been the talk of the winter meetings. That hasn’t changed on Day 4.
Leake to #DBacks still possible, per sources. Willing to take much less to play at home in AZ. Latest attempt noted by @SteveGilbertMLB.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
3:01 p.m.:Â It appears the Nationals are simultaneously buying and selling.
Nationals and Rockies have talked about Charlie Blackmon, but Colorado wants a lot for him. Corey Dickerson could be in play, too.
— Pete Kerzel (@masnPete) December 10, 2015
One team that inquired about Drew Storen: the Twins, according to a person familiar with the situation. Nothing looming with Nats.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) December 10, 2015
2:58 p.m.:Â Jason Heyward is the biggest fish remaining in the free-agent pond. And it sounds like his demands might be different than originally believed.
Sources: #Angels among finalists for Jason Heyward, along with #Cubs and #STLCards. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2015
Hearing talk that Jason Heyward isn't looking for 10 years at $20M/year. More like $24M/year for 8 or 9 years.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 10, 2015
1:34 p.m.:Â Mark Reynolds generally hits the ball a long way when he makes contact. That makes Colorado an interesting destination for the 32-year-old slugger.
mark reynolds has agreement with rockies. $2.6M plus incentives. lotta power in coors.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
12:21 p.m.:Â Although Michael Hill said this week that right-hander Jose Fernandez will not be moved, the Miami Marlins president of baseball operations still has been a popular guy.
More than 20 teams called about Jose fernandez. Nothing hot now. Marlins would want MLB players back. AZ prob came closest
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
#Marlins press of bb ops Mike Hill says will listen on Fernandez offers, but priority remains to find SPs to work behind ace
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2015
The #Marlins had steady discussion on Ozuna all week, but no one willing to meet demand of frontline starter.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 10, 2015
12:17 p.m.:Â The Diamondbacks aren’t sitting on their hands despite already signing Zack Greinke and trading for Shelby Miller. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Source: #Dbacks made another pass at Mike Leake last night. Couldn't quite make it work.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 10, 2015
Sources: #DBacks have spoken again to #Reds about Phillips. Persuading him to waive no-trade, if two sides agree, may be easier now for AZ.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
#DBacks, with Greinke and Miller, more competitive than they were when they began pursuing Phillips. No indication that trade is close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
12:13 p.m.:Â The Braves have an intriguing rebuilding process going. It seems like they’re mentioned in trade chatter every 45 seconds.
#Braves and #Padres still working on a deal to send C Christian Betancourt to SD
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2015
11:38 a.m.:Â The Red Sox officially announced that they’ve traded Garin Cecchini to the Brewers for cash considerations.
11:36 a.m.:Â The likelihood of Chris Davis leaving the Orioles in free agency might have just increased.
Orioles didn't increase 7-year offer to Davis. Source: "Not one nickel." Offer off table, although O's would pick up thread of past talks.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 10, 2015
Baltimore reportedly offered Davis a seven-year contract in the neighborhood of $150 million.
11:31 a.m.:Â Left-handed reliever Tony Sipp reportedly is staying put.
Source: Sipp with #Astros is three years, $18M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
11:28 a.m.:Â Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday that third baseman Garin Cecchini, who was designated for assignment last week to make room on the 40-man roster for David Price, was drawing trade interest. He wasn’t lying.
Red Sox traded Garin Cecchini to the Brewers for cash considerations
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 10, 2015
10:25 a.m.: Free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward, as expected, is drawing interest from multiple teams.
Jason Heyward talks progressing, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me. #Cubs, #STLCards, others among finalists to sign him. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2015
10:05 a.m.: The D-Backs continue to be active.
Source: #Dbacks made another pass at Mike Leake last night. Couldn't quite make it work.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 10, 2015
The Rule 5 draft also begins today.
Phillies select OF Tyler Goeddel with first pick in Rule 5 Draft.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) December 10, 2015
9:35 a.m.: The Orioles appear to be very serious about keeping Chris Davis.
Sources: #Orioles have increased offer to Davis, possibly as high as 7/168. Team hopeful, even somewhat optimistic, that it can strike deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
9:05 a.m.: Detroit is no stranger to spending money.
Folks around baseball would not be surprised to see tigers make late run at big hitter if 1's left. Current focus: pen
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are moving on to other options after not acquiring Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds.
Dodgers have moved on from chapman and are weighing Andrew miller among other pitchers and also hitters
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2015
8:35 a.m.: Let’s start the day with an update on the Miami Marlins and an update on the busy Arizona Diamondbacks’ situation.
Hearing that the Marlins have back-burnered Marcell Ozuna trade talks. Still listening but more likely they keep him than trade him.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 9, 2015
For those curious if D-backs have pieces to get Jose Fernandez: Absolutely if deal starts with Corbin. Shipley, Drury, Bradley, Godley, etc.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2015
8:30 a.m. ET: The MLB Winter Meetings conclude Thursday, and if the previous three days are any indication, it should be another wild 24 hours.
We saw plenty of action go down Wednesday, including the New York Mets reportedly signing shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and the Chicago White Sox acquiring third baseman Brett Lawrie in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
Stay tuned to this live blog for all of the rumors, news and updates surrounding all 30 MLB teams as the winter meetings wrap up in Nashville.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
