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.
9 p.m.: Could the Kansas City Royals be readying a few moves?
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays and Wilson Ramos have an agreement on a deal.
7:47 p.m.: Here are some updates on free agent Jose Bautista.
3:09 p.m.: Believe it or not, the hot stove still is on after the Chris Sale trade.
3:08 p.m.: The Boston Red Sox still will be on the hook for Yoan Moncada’s hefty contract, per Bruce Levine.
2:25 p.m.: It appears the Boston Red Sox were on the right side of some shrewd swindling by Chicago.
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.
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.
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.
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.
11:27 a.m.: The Boston Red Sox seriously have their eye on Mitch Moreland, per FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
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.
11:11 a.m.: The Tampa Bay Rays will be a team to keep an eye on.
11:10 a.m.: The Tyler Thornburg-Travis Shaw trade is official.
11:09 a.m.: Dave Dombrowski might not be done wheeling and dealing.
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.
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.
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.
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 …
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.
9 a.m.: The Miami Marlins are a potential darkhorse this offseason, and they’ve got some big plans, according to Jon Heyman.
8:50 a.m.: Mike Napoli has no shortage of suitors, according to reports, and the Seattle Mariners reportedly are one of those teams.
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
