Winter Meetings 2018: News Only

Snodgrass'Muff

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Renamed the other thread. This one is for linking to articles and tweets only. Discussion can be carried out in the rumors and speculation thread (Sorry E5!)

Scott Lauber says the Red Sox are interested in Kyle Schwarber.

Another source acknowledged the Sox's interest in Kyle Schwarber, who profiles more as a designated hitter. But it's doubtful the Chicago Cubs will trade Schwarber, who hit 30 homers in a down year and remains a favorite of team president Theo Epstein.
Chad Jennings has a piece up for the Herald that reports that the Red Sox are willing to put JBJ on the table in trade talks, specifically in pursuit of a power bat. He points to a Bob Nightengale tweet as the source.

As the Winter Meetings get started down in Orlando, the Red Sox rumor mill is already red hot with USA Today's Bob Nightengale reporting that Jackie Bradley Jr. is available for teams willing to swap a power hitter.

In many ways, the news makes perfect sense.

The Red Sox have three outfielders capable of playing center field, and Andrew Benintendi — who would presumably take over as the primary option — spent quite a bit of time in center field last season. It was his primary position before he got to the big leagues. The Red Sox have plenty of outfield talent, and they can deal from that position of depth to fill a point of need.
 

Snodgrass'Muff

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Dombrowski says they tried to get back into the Stanton negotiations toward the end but were told the Sox weren't on his list.

“When we called at the end, we were not on his list. So they were going somewhere else. . . . We did all our homework on Stanton. I knew exactly where everything was, what they were looking for, dollars that were involved. Just was not where we were at that particular time.”
And in the take it with a grain of salt department, Dombrowski says he's only targeting one bat as he's counting on a Hanley bounce back year.

"I don't know where we'd play two bats," Dombrowski said. "I'm trying to figure that one out. I would say we'd probably be more limited to one bat.

"I guess if we went for a platoon type guy or something," Dombrowski added. "But I don't really know where that second bat would play."
That said, Dombrowski is banking on Ramirez to bounce back in 2018. And Dombrowski said he's still comfortable with Ramirez at first base and DH.
 

grimshaw

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http://rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6757/bryan-shaw

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, free agent reliever Bryan Shaw has an agreement in place with an undisclosed team.
That indication comes from other clubs who were in pursuit of Shaw. Olney adds that Tommy Hunter is also close to signing somewhere. The relief dominos are starting to fall. Shaw, 30, boasts a career 3.13 ERA in 446 1/3 major league innings and he's been incredibly durable, leading American League bullpen arms in appearances three of the last four seasons. Dec 12 - 7:13 PM
 

RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory
http://rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6757/bryan-shaw

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, free agent reliever Bryan Shaw has an agreement in place with an undisclosed team.
That indication comes from other clubs who were in pursuit of Shaw. Olney adds that Tommy Hunter is also close to signing somewhere. The relief dominos are starting to fall. Shaw, 30, boasts a career 3.13 ERA in 446 1/3 major league innings and he's been incredibly durable, leading American League bullpen arms in appearances three of the last four seasons. Dec 12 - 7:13 PM
Joel Sherman says it's Shaw to the Rockies.
 

chawson

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Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports Hunter’s deal is with the Dodgers or Astros.
 

chawson

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Both reports wrong! Hunter to the Phillies, Reed apparently still out there per Heyman, contradicting other reports.
 

grimshaw

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Smyly to the Cubs. That's a potential steal.
http://rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6671/drew-smyly
Cubs signed LHP Drew Smyly to a two-year, $10 million contract.

Smyly underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery this past June and probably won't make his Cubs debut until somewhere around mid-to-late August in 2018, but this could prove to be a nice buy-low move for Chicago leading into the 2019 season. Smyly, 28, holds a 3.74 career ERA and 1.199 career WHIP in 156 major league appearances (85 starts).
 

chawson

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Smyly to the Cubs. That's a potential steal.
http://rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6671/drew-smyly
Cubs signed LHP Drew Smyly to a two-year, $10 million contract.

Smyly underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery this past June and probably won't make his Cubs debut until somewhere around mid-to-late August in 2018, but this could prove to be a nice buy-low move for Chicago leading into the 2019 season. Smyly, 28, holds a 3.74 career ERA and 1.199 career WHIP in 156 major league appearances (85 starts).
Would be chill if we could do this with Pineda.
 

chawson

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Joe Smith to the Stros on a two-year deal.

Too bad for us. He’s death on righties and owns Stanton/Judge/Sanchez — 0 for 13 against him lifetime (h/t Jon Abbey).

Edit: Initial report was one year but it’s two.
 
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sean1562

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Maybe they think he can get better at LF. Devers has been pretty terrible at 3B, no? What is the difference?

edit: dont want to keep posting in the news thread, but I dont think it is ridiculous to think he could get better at LF. Still a 2 WAR player in 50 games with 18 HRs.
 
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