5 stories to watch for during the MLB Winter Meetings

By Sean Sears | Dec 9, 2019

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals celebrates his two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 01: Texas Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels talks with the media following the announcement that the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels has been postponed at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 01, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The game was postponed following an announcement made by the Los Angeles Angels that pitcher Tyler Skaggs had died. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

There’s going to be a team looking to make a splash, but who?

One reason this offseason seems more promising than recent years is due in large part to the number of teams trying to compete in 2020.

Right off the bat, the Padres look like a team that is itching to make waves this off-season. Despite General Manager AJ Preller already making a few trades and acquiring Jurickson Profar, San Diego still lacks a front-end starter to pair with Chris Paddack.

Even though Preller did sign Manny Machado to a massive $300 million deal last off-season, the Padres general manager is reportedly on the hot-seat, which only adds to the pressure surrounding one of the league’s best up-and-coming clubs. The Padres have been included in most reports involving the top free agents like Cole and Strasburg, but if Preller misses on them, the Padres do have the prospect talent to make a move for a starter if necessary.

The Texas Rangers are another team that is looking to make a splash at the Winter Meetings. With a clear need at third base, the Rangers have been linked to all the top free agents as well as included in trade rumors involving the Cubs and Kris Bryant. But with the Rangers farm system lacking MLB-ready talent, it’ll be tough for general manager Jon Daniels to improve their roster via trade. So, missing out on their reported top target Anthony Rendon may lead the Rangers to overpay for a player like Josh Donaldson.

And with their new stadium opening this season, the Rangers will be looking to market their stars, and it’d be much easier to do that with players like Rendon or Donaldson on the roster. A panic move from one of these teams seems likely should the market not go their way initially.

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