MLB rumors: The latest news from the Winter Meetings
The annual Major League Baseball Winter Meetings continue Tuesday in Las Vegas after a flurry of discussion on Monday. All 30 teams will be represented, all laying the groundwork for trades and free agent additions. Suffice to say, the hot stove will be firing with transactions and rumors.
We are here to break down the biggest news and rumors. Where will Manny Machado and Bryce Harper go? What do the Yankees have in store? Will the Indians really part with Corey Kluber and/or Trevor Bauer? What will NL East teams do next? Will big-name pitchers such as Noah Syndergaard, Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner be on the move?
11 p.m. New York teams talking trade
Analysis: The Mets have been heavily linked to Realmuto over the past week and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has been outspoken in his admiration for the Marlins backstop. For what it's worth, the Mets and Yankees haven't made a trade since 2004. While the new Mets regime seems willing to shake things up, it's hard to fathom that they'd actually deal Syndergaard across town.
10 p.m. MYSTERY SZN
Analysis: Paste BN Sports' Bob Nightengale reported on the circus surrounding Harper here in Vegas:
"The team presents its sales pitch for the first two hours, most times accompanied by video. It’s Harper and his wife’s turn next to ask questions.
Harper, who has surprised teams with his maturity and intellect, several team executives say, intently quizzes them on the team’s direction. He’ll ask detailed questions about their minor-league prospects. And he wants to know what they plan to do at the July 31 trade deadline:
“Will you do what’s necessary to win?"
5:30 p.m. Cashman on Harper/Machado
Analysis: It's not exactly shocking that the Yankees aren't pushing hard for Harper (right now), with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner in the mix – not to mention Jacoby Ellsbury and Clint Frazier. Meanwhile, the injury to shortstop Didi Gregorius certainly increased the possibility of a Machado-Yankees union. With Patrick Corbin off the table, the Yankees may decide to allocate that big money towards Machado.
1:20 p.m. Kluber talks heating up
Analysis: There's been no secret that the Indians have expressed moderate interest in dealing Kluber or Trevor Bauer, with an eye on reloading the upper levels of their minor-league system while still remaining contenders for the American League Central. Morosi adds a player the Indians might have their eye on here is Dodgers top prospect Alex Verdugo, a 22-year-old outfielder who is considered a plus-defender with an above-average bat.
11:49 a.m. Dallas Keuchel drawing interest
Analysis: The left-hander is Paste BN's second-best starting pitcher on the free-agent market. He is coming off a year in which he pitched to a 3.74 ERA in 204 2/3 innings.
11:08 a.m. Several teams interested in Belt
Analysis: Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is due to make $17.2 million in each of the next three seasons.
10:53 a.m. Royals close to deal with Hamilton
Analysis: Hamilton became a free agent when the Reds did not offer him a contract after he batted .236 with a .299 on-base percentage while stealing a career-low 34 bases last season.
10:15. a.m. Reds want to trade Scooter Gennett?
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal says that the Reds "would like to move him," though it might be difficult because of the amount of second basemen on the market.
Update, 12:08 p.m. No, the Reds aren't shopping Gennett, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
Analysis: Gennett is in his final year of arbitration and would provide power -- he hit 50 home runs over the past two seasons -- to any team's middle infield.
9:35 a.m. Happ-y enough to stay in New York?
The Yankees remain interested in re-signing left-handed starter J.A. Happ, according to the New York Post, though they want to keep a contract to two years. (Happ wants three.)
Analysis: The Yankees lost out on the best pitcher on the market, Patrick Corbin, to the Phillies. Happ, 36, pitched well in 11 starts after being traded to New York -- going 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA. He also won't come at a steep price tag.
9:30 a.m. Sonny Gray trade a matter of time?
Analysis: Sonny Gray had a disastrous year in New York (4.90 ERA) and it seems very likely that the Yankees will trade him. Gray is only 29 and still can be a solid mid-rotation piece. He has one year of arbitration left before becoming a free agent.