10:39 p.m.: Anthony Rendon is getting paid by the Angels, according to Jon Heyman.
Rendon deal done with angels . 245M . 7 yrs.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2019
4:50 p.m.: It appears Michael Wacha is off to the New York Mets, according to MLB Network’s Joel Sherman.
When finalized Wacha deal will guarantee $3M for 1 year with $7M possible in incentives.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 11, 2019
3:30 p.m.: It sounds as if we’re nearing our first real blockbuster trade of the winter meetings, as the Dodgers are zeroing in on superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
The Los Angeles #Dodgers and Cleveland #Indians continue to be engaged in serious trade talks for Cleveland All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, with Cleveland seeking a package of Dodgers prospects including Gavin Lux and Dustin May.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2019
1:15 p.m.: Here’s a little tidbit that could end up being one of the offseason’s biggest blockbusters: Jon Heyman is reporting the Colorado Rockies are apparently open to trading third baseman Nolan Arenado, less than a year after giving him a massive contract extension. As Heyman notes, Arenado being available could have a strong effect on an already robust third-base market.
Rockies are willing to listen to trade inquiries on superstar 3B Nolan Arenado (and anyone else); they’ve gotten many calls on him since trade deadline. Would shake up monster 3B market (Rendon, Donaldson, Bryant) but no one sees as likely yet. Has full no-trade so up to him.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019
10:48 a.m.: Once again, the Dodgers are getting plenty of attention at this year’s winter meetings.
Here’s another possibility for the #Dodgers, one that probably makes more sense than Bumgarner and any other move: Sign Rendon and Ryu. Both represented by Boras. Could be agent’s makeup call for taking Cole to #Yankees. Everyone wins!
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2019
10:30 a.m.: With Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg off the market, teams in need of starting pitching help might need to look to the trade market. Would the Boston Red Sox, who want to get under the luxury tax this winter, be open to trading former Cy Young Award winner David Price?
The Boston Red Sox continue to pursue ways to shed salary, and multiple teams have targeted starter David Price, sources tell ESPN. He is owed $96 million over the next three years. Red Sox could either attach player with value or potentially pay down some of Price's remaining $.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2019
The #STLCards have long-standing interest in David Price and are one potential suitor if #RedSox trade him. The Cardinals were runners up when Price signed with Boston four years ago. @JeffPassan reported today multiple teams are targeting Price in trade talks. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 11, 2019
No progress for #RedSox in trade discussions involving David Price, sources tell The Athletic. #Padres, who badly want to moves Wil Myers, are among clubs Boston has spoken with. Pads extremely active, involved in a large, almost dizzying, number of pursuits.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2019
8:30 a.m.: The Dodgers are among the teams scrambling in the fallout of the Gerrit Cole news, and it appears LA is now turning its attention to a rival they know quite well.
#Dodgers will now shift their focus to free-agent left-hander Madison Bumgarner, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2019
Seeing Bumgarner, who was at the center of a few Dodgers-Giants controversies in his days by the Bay, in Dodger blue would be jarring.
7:30 a.m. ET: As much of the baseball world slept Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the New York Yankees found themselves in a familiar position: opening their checkbook and thus sending shockwaves through the sport.
Reports started trickling in Tuesday night, and now it’s all but official: The Yankees and top free-agent pitcher Gerrit Cole reportedly have agreed to a record-breaking, nine-year deal worth $324 million.
So, now what?
The MLB winter meetings continue Wednesday in San Diego, as we will wait and see whether more dominoes start to fall now that Cole is off the board. Compared to recent years, it’s been a busy winter meetings thus far with Stephen Strasburg re-signing with the Washington Nationals serving the role as the opening act for Cole’s gargantuan pact with the Bronx Bombers.
Perhaps Cole signing will open the floodgates for the next tier of pitching free agents, and it might also increase the trade chatter across the league as teams like the Dodgers and Angels — figured to be among the finalists for Cole — will move onto their respective Plan B’s.
We’ll be following it all right here with our daily live blog throughout the day, so be sure to check back early and often.
