139 replies to this topic

[Tyrone Biggums]

I figured I'd start a thread about the moves that will be happening here. Also if anyone has attended feel free to post your experiences as well!

I would like to share my experiences at the Winter Meetings the last time they were in Nashville. I worked in 2007 for a team in the NYPL as an intern (The Lake Monsters), and wanted to pursue a few leads that I had created for myself through networking. So I flew down there from Boston and got in around 8 PM the day before and actually reserved a room at the Holiday Inn near the Opryland Hotel (its in the same place as it was in 2007). The one thing you have to realize about the Opryland, if you have never been is that it is very very huge. Basically, the way it usually goes is that you have to sign up before hand and attend a seminar, then you walk around the lobby with a name tag on and have to deal with most of the people avoiding you! So after my first day on the floor I decided to hide my name tag and grab a drink at a sports bar on the first floor (if anyone knows the name that would be some help!)

Anyways, I'm sitting at the bar and my name tag is hidden, I strike up a conversation with a guy who worked in the Pirates marketing department and he sits there and tells me how they're going to have to redo their marketing strategy (it was funny to me too). He mentioned to me that they had essentially agreed to trade Jason Bay to the Cleveland Indians and they needed to be ready for the official announcement. Kind of surprising to hear that type of stuff but if you are on the floor you hear all kinds of rumors. I heard all types of stuff on Santana going to the Sox, the Mets, Yankees, etc...obviously we all know what happened

Another memory of the meetings in Nashville I had was meeting Harold Reynolds, Peter Gammons, Tim K, and Buster Olney. I was interested in breaking into writing on sports teams and wanted to pick their brains. Harold Reynolds was a nice guy, but he ended up hitting on a girl I was meeting up with at the Jack Daniels restaurant. Gammons was still wearing tennis shoes because of his health condition but the man knows his music very well, talked with him about Pearl Jam for about 20 minutes. Olney was fantastic being that he was very familiar with the Vermont area and gave me a ton of advice, he gave me his email and told me to email him if I need help or have any questions in the field. Which he didn't have to do and I thought it was pretty damn cool. Tim K is also really really short, I'm 5'4 and he was pretty much eye level with me, but again really really knowledgable. It made me appreciate the business side of the game even more overall. Interviewed with a lot of teams, met a lot of people, gathered a lot of contact information, and wrote a lot of thank you notes.

I gathered contact information from writers, broadcasters, and player personal people because, I wanted to aim high and try to go into something I could really grow with. I saved everything on my old gateway laptop that had busted keys on it from typing so much, brought it home...and my fiancee ended up frying the damn thing...not all stories end up happy!

So what does everyone think will happen?

[BobbyVsToiletSeat]

Even though I do not like him, I think the Red Sox will walk away with Napoli. I also think the Dodgers sign Greinke to the largest contract for a pitcher.

[Yaz4Ever]

I think we will trade Lester for Myers, sign Napoli and Wilson, and look for cheap veteran pitching willing to take a Beltre type job. I think Swisher winds up in Cincinnati.

[Jordu]

Gordon Edes already tweeting from the meeting and answering readers questions.

Are Sox really in the Hamilton hunt? "Only if his market fell apart elsewhere."

Chances Lester will be dealt? "Slim. I think Farrell wants him."

Can Sox get Giancarlo Stanton? "It'll take three top prospects."

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Can Sox get Giancarlo Stanton? "It'll take three top prospects."

As much of a prospect whore as I am, if Stanton for Bogaerts, Barnes, and Bradley is on the table, I pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

Anyway, I think they trade Lester for Myers and sign Napoli before the meetings are over.

Edited by Snodgrass'Muff, 02 December 2012 - 10:01 PM.

[SoxScout]

1. Mike Napoli - 3 years with a vesting option
2. Ryan Ludwick - 2 year deal
3. Saltalamacchia - traded to NYM or CWS
4. At some point Ellsbury's name will get hot

[Tyrone Biggums]

1. Mike Napoli - 3 years with a vesting option
2. Ryan Ludwick - 2 year deal
3. Saltalamacchia - traded to NYM or CWS
4. At some point Ellsbury's name will get hot

I agree with this except on Ludwick

1. Napoli signs with Boston 3 years with a vesting option
2. Cody Ross gets 2 years plus an option with Boston
3. Boston signs Brian Wilson (yes that's my reach for the meetings)
4. Greinke signs with the Dodgers
5. Hamilton returns to Texas on a three year deal with a vesting option
6. Victorino heads back to the Phillies
7. Michael Bourn to the Giants
8. Soria to the Yankees

Some are absolute reaches, some may not happen. I'm 100% sure that Greinke will sign with the Dodgers by the time the meetings are out. They won't be outbid.

[mabrowndog]

The Sox will sign RHP Jeff Karstens (non-tendered by the Pirates) for back-end rotation depth.

[bosockboy]

Sign Napoli.

Salty for Gavin Floyd.

Lester for Myers.

Lots of smoke on Sox and Asdrubal Cabrera.

Edited by bosockboy, 02 December 2012 - 11:51 PM.

[MakMan44]

I'm more excited for the winter meetings than I ever was during the Sox season.

I think:

Dodgers get Greinke
Sox get Napoli
Reds get Dexter Fowler
Sox trade Lester for Hosmer or Myers
Salty also gets traded

[RedOctober3829]

--Red Sox sign Napoli for 4/$60
--Red Sox trade Salty, Kalish, and Workman to the Mets for R.A. Dickey. Then they sign him for 3/$30
--Rangers re-sign Hamilton for $5/120
--Grienke goes to the Dodgers
--Nationals re-sign LaRoche

[knucklecup]

Rangers resign Geovany Soto per Rotoworld. No terms yet announced.

[knucklecup]

Rangers resign Geovany Soto per Rotoworld. No terms yet announced.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Rays are close with James Loney according to MLBTR...I actually predicted this move in an earlier thread. Its the type of signing that will work out for Tampa. Anyone want to bet against Loney some how hitting .300 with 15+ dingers? Its something in the water down here.

[Hugh G Rection]

Here's my take.... 1st post ever on this board.... Hope I don't look like a fool.



1. Red Sox sign Grienke 5 years /120 mil 6th year option with Anxiety clause that let's them out of the contract if Grienke starts befriending trees in the Boston Commons.

2. Sox sign Napoli for 3 years team option for 4th year.

3. Sox trade Lester and Sweeney for Myers and Hochevar.

4. Sox trade Iglesias and Brentz for Asdrubal Cabrera.

5. Sox re-sign Cody Ross

6. Sox sign Mike Pelfrey and convert him to the bullpen (after offering him a chance at the rotation where he's beat out by Rubby).

7. Sox add a RH relief pitcher and backup 3rdbaseman to be stashed in AAA.

Edited by Hugh G Rection, 03 December 2012 - 07:26 AM.

[MakMan44]

Rays talking to the Nats about DE and Morse. Trade unlikely apparently but if it gets done, should make a trade with the Royal more likely I'd think which I'd love

[BobbyVsToiletSeat]

I actually think Boston might be in on Dee Gordon. Give the Dodgers Igleasias and someone small. That way they have a plus defender at Chavez for years to come

[OttoC]

I actually think Boston might be in on Dee Gordon. Give the Dodgers Igleasias and someone small. That way they have a plus defender at Chavez for years to come

That way they would have two pitchers batting in their lineup.

[moondog80]

That way they would have two pitchers batting in their lineup.

Gordon was decent in 2011 as a 23 year old, had pretty good minor league numbers too . And his awful 228/280/281 last year is probably Iglesias' upside for 2013.

Edited by moondog80, 03 December 2012 - 09:59 AM.

[BobbyVsToiletSeat]

Gordon was decent in 2011 as a 23 year old, had pretty good minor league numbers too . And his awful 228/280/281 last year is probably Iglesias' upside for 2013.

Exactly, which player is the real Dee Gordon. I'd be willing to trade to find out

Edited by BobbyVsToiletSeat, 03 December 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[LegacyR]

I think Boston will end up with Napoli on a plain and simple 3 year contract. I also tend to believe they will ship Salty away and finalize their battery. I just hope they get someone that has more then just a pulse. Here is what I really hope for from the meetings in haiku form:

New start in winter
Hustle and handshakes, smooth moves
Ben brings home honor

[TOleary25]

Sox close to deal with Napoli for 3 years per Bradford:

http://www.weei.com/...ose-deal-napoli

[MakMan44]

Sox close to deal with Napoli for 3 years per Bradford:

http://www.weei.com/...ose-deal-napoli

Thank god. I like Napoli quite a bit but not at 4 years

[OttoC]

Gordon was decent in 2011 as a 23 year old, had pretty good minor league numbers too . And his awful 228/280/281 last year is probably Iglesias' upside for 2013.

I was sort of thinking of the Dodgers having two pitchers batting: Iglesias and whoever was on the mound for them.

[BobbyVsToiletSeat]

Thank god. I like Napoli quite a bit but not at 4 years

I hate him but at 3 years I can deal

[SoxScout]

For people who like the tweet grids: http://tweetgrid.com...soxstats/redsox

[BobbyVsToiletSeat]

I'm thinking that the Salty for Floyd rumors might happen now. He won't be a Red Sox by the end of the meetings

[Gambler7]

Any predictions on this? Just posted a few minutes ago on twitter...

Cody Ross ‏@IamCodyRoss
Wow

[pjr]

Maybe this?

Jon MorosiVerified‏@jonmorosi15m
#Yankees interested in both Cody Ross and Scott Hairston as RH outfield options.

[SoxScout]

TBrownYahoo: Source: Pagan gets $40m over four years with Giants.

Quick, offer Ells to Philly

[Yaz4Ever]

Quick, offer Ells to Philly

For?

[saintnick912]

Cliff Lee? Would replace our "top of the rotation LHP" slot when we trade Lester to KC. </crazytalk>

[MakMan44]

Dominic Brown straight up. We'd get our "star" prospect RF and still get to keep Lester


EDIT: Looking at his stats, he's kinda sucked in The Show but IIRC he was supposed be a really good prospect

Edited by MakMan44, 03 December 2012 - 04:34 PM.

[Lars The Wanderer]

Pagan's deal breaks down as:
$5 million signing bonus
2013: $7 million
2014: $9 million
2015: $9 million
2016: $10 million

[pjr]

Cherington will be on Intentional Talk (MLB Network) shortly.

[Tangled Up In Red]

Pagan at 4/$40 is an overpay, imho

AAV is OK, but a year too long for a 31 y/o who relies on his legs

[Tangled Up In Red]

Looking at comps, though, not as bad as I'd thought...

[MakMan44]

Soria to the rangers for 2 years

[Tyrone Biggums]

Soria to the rangers for 2 years

I thought for sure the Yankees were going to get him, very interesting deal by Texas.

Boston now needs to move Salty. I would love for Boston to send Salty plus a package of prospects for Holland, but that won't happen. More likely than not the White Sox trade us Floyd for Salty.

[gaelgirl]

Pagan at 4/$40 is an overpay, imho

AAV is OK, but a year too long for a 31 y/o who relies on his legs

It is likely to be a bit of an overpay, but it's also the market right now (especially after Upton's contract was so bonkers). And even in the last year, $10 million is not likely to sink the Giants payroll. They paid Aaron Rowand $12 million this year not to play at all and it still didn't really kill their flexibility. I'd guess they would have preferred to go three years, but the market dictated four.

It doesn't necessarily bode well for the future of CF prospect Gary Brown, however. He was once thought to be the next can't-miss, fast-tracked prospect. Now he's said to be at least a year or two away. The buzz seems to have subsided a bit.

[SoxLegacy]

Not sure if this exactly qualifies as Winter Meetings news, but just read that Grady Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his knee this past September and won't be ready until well into the 2013 season.

[BoSox Rule]

Not sure if this exactly qualifies as Winter Meetings news, but just read that Grady Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his knee this past September and won't be ready until well into the 2013 season.

I really would have loved to see what Sizemore could do with a healthy career. He used to be such a beast.

[nattysez]

It is likely to be a bit of an overpay, but it's also the market right now (especially after Upton's contract was so bonkers). And even in the last year, $10 million is not likely to sink the Giants payroll. They paid Aaron Rowand $12 million this year not to play at all and it still didn't really kill their flexibility. I'd guess they would have preferred to go three years, but the market dictated four.

It doesn't necessarily bode well for the future of CF prospect Gary Brown, however. He was once thought to be the next can't-miss, fast-tracked prospect. Now he's said to be at least a year or two away. The buzz seems to have subsided a bit.

The Giants had Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco in the OF going into the off-season. They didn't have much choice but to sign Pagan. Now they just have to hope he doesn't turn into an albatross before the last year of that deal. They still need a cheap LF who can hit a little, which is why they are supposedly still in on Victorino. The Giants have never been afraid to go into the season with a mix of unappealing options in LF, and this year may be no different. Unless they can sign Ichiro and have Pence play LF, they may wind up having to sign Nady, Fukudome, Ankiel, etc., to minor-league deals and hoping someone shows something in ST.

[DanoooME]

I thought for sure the Yankees were going to get him, very interesting deal by Texas.

Boston now needs to move Salty. I would love for Boston to send Salty plus a package of prospects for Holland, but that won't happen. More likely than not the White Sox trade us Floyd for Salty.

Not happening, Texas re-signed Geovany Soto after non-tendering him.

[bosockboy]

Not happening, Texas re-signed Geovany Soto after non-tendering him.

I don't think they envision Soto as their everyday catcher. He's an insurance policy.

[soxhop411]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: Dan Haren in agreement with #Nationals, one year, $13M. Pending physical.

RT @Plesac19: Word around Nashville is now leaning towards the #Mets hanging on to RA Dickey.

Edited by soxhop411, 04 December 2012 - 11:07 AM.

[nattysez]

$13mm for Haren seems like a lot, given his injury issues.

Edit: To expand a bit: the Cubs had the chance to dump Carlos Marmol in exchange for Haren, looked at Haren's physical, and said "no." The Angels then elected to let him go and apparently didn't see any reason to tender him something more than $13mm. The Angels don't strike me as a team so flush with pitching that they'd let Haren walk unless they thought there was an issue.

Edited by nattysez, 04 December 2012 - 12:55 PM.

[SoxScout]

Word is he passed a physical just to negotiate with some team, and he is going to get one from the Nats too.

His bad year last year was 176 IP, 4.00 xFIP. He xFIP- had been under 86 for the previous 7 seasons.

This is without a doubt the best signing off the offseason in my eyes and I think what he could do in the NL next year could be scary.

If I were the Red Sox I would have offered 1/$15-17.

Edited by SoxScout, 04 December 2012 - 12:13 PM.

[glennhoffmania]

Word is he passed a physical just to negotiate with some team, and he is going to get one from the Nats too.

His bad year last year was 176 IP, 4.00 xFIP. He xFIP- had been under 86 for the previous 7 seasons.

This is without a doubt the best signing off the offseason in my eyes and I think what he could do in the NL next year could be scary.

If I were the Red Sox I would have offered 1/$15-17.

I agree. On a one year deal this would be a great signing. I don't know why Ben wouldn't top that offer.

[BobbyVsToiletSeat]

I agree. On a one year deal this would be a great signing. I don't know why Ben wouldn't top that offer.

Who said they didn't? Nationals are in an easier division and gives Haren a better chance to win and re establish value