The annual MLB Winter Meetings are set to begin next week, and could finally spark the offseason into high gear.
With rumors swirling around a potential blockbuster trade of Giancarlo Stanton and most teams attempting to woo Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani, the MLB offseason has been awfully quiet to date. There have been but a few minor moves of middling free agents and no major movement whatsoever on the headline-grabbing names like J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Yu Darvish and the like.
That could finally change when the Winter Meetings open next Sunday at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando Florida. Last year’s Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C. featured plenty of drama unfolding over the five-day run, and this year should be no different.
Last year, the meetings were heavy on activity. The biggest trade of the offseason sent Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox for an incredible package of prospects. The White Sox didn’t stop there, however, also dealing Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals in a trade that many panned as a massive overpay by the Nats. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates aggressively shopped All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, but were forced to hold onto him.
The most notable deals completed at the Winter Meetings last year included:
- Rich Hill staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers for three years and $48 million
- Closer Mark Melancon signing with the San Francisco Giants for four years and $62 million
- Steve Pearce to the Toronto Blue Jays for two years and $12.5 million
- First baseman Mitch Moreland to the Red Sox for one year and $5.5 million
- Chicago Cubs trading outfielder Jorge Soler to the Kansas City Royals for All-Star closer Wade Davis
- Colorado Rockies making a puzzling move to sign Ian Desmond for five years and $70 million despite not having an open position for him
- Aroldis Chapman returning to the New York Yankees for five years and $86 million on a deal with plenty of no-trade protection
The first order of business at the Winter Meetings this year will be the ongoing Giancarlo Stanton drama. The Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are already believed to have deals in place, but will have to sell Stanton. His preference is the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they have not been involved in the talks to date. Shohei Ohtani is also expected to pick a team shortly, but cannot officially sign until December 22 in accordance with the posting process.
Superagent Scott Boras has the ability to control the market this year, with a disproportionate collection of the top free agents. His free-agent clients this winter include Jake Arrieta, Eric Hosmer, J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Greg Holland and Carlos Gonzalez. Boras clients are typically willing to wait out the market for the best deal, which could further slow things down.
Next: Top 50 MLB free agents for 2017 offseason
In addition to the meetings with free agents, trade talks and Hot Stove chatter, the Rule 5 Draft also takes place on Thursday, December 14. There will be plenty of moves to digest and breakdown the entire week, and we will have complete coverage of all the breaking news.