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4 takeaways from Day 1 of the winter meetings

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The opening day of the winter meetings warmed the stove slightly, but not enough to satiate prolific trade-maker and Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto, who called his first day at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino "boring."

Just because Dipoto goes unsatisfied doesn't mean nothing happened, though. Let's take a look at four takeaways from day one and what they might indicate about the remainder of the meetings.

Bryce is right

Several teams reportedly lined up to meet with superstar free agent Bryce Harper, with one mystery owner making the trip out to the outfielder's home state as part of his team's recruitment strategy, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports.

Interestingly, accompanying this news were open admissions from New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals executives that their teams aren't interested in chasing Harper, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The excuse the Yankees use is that they have six outfielders - four of whom are Jacoby Ellsbury (did not play in 2018), Clint Frazier (a prospect who has struggled with concussions), Brett Gardner (who is on the final year of his deal), and Giancarlo Stanton (who acts as the designated hitter). It would take some movement but Harper could fit into the mix.

The Cardinals are a bit more puzzling. They do have a bit of a logjam in the outfield, but Dexter Fowler no longer seems to be in the club's long-term plans and Jose Martinez might also be on his way out with the addition of Paul Goldschmidt at first base. As it stands, then, St. Louis has Marcell Ozuna, Harrison Bader, and Tyler O'Neill penciled in.

One thing is abundantly clear: regardless of money, Harper would be an improvement on everyone listed above.

All in all, two teams acting like they don't want or need Harper doesn't really affect the superstar's market. Only two interested parties are needed to drive his price tag up and it's still almost certain to eclipse the $300-million threshold.

No relief

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The relief market was the first one to materialize last winter but many of this offseason's top available closers are finding themselves neglected.

Starters Patrick Corbin and Nathan Eovaldi have landed lucrative deals. Some middle-of-the-pack hitters have scored pacts as well, with Josh Donaldson betting on himself on a pillow contract and veteran catchers like Brian McCann, Kurt Suzuki, Robinson Chirinos, and Jeff Mathis all joining new clubs.

Meanwhile, Jesse Chavez is the lone reliever to agree to terms. Are teams just waiting to see where Craig Kimbrel lands? Are second-tier closers waiting to see what Kimbrel gets? It's something to monitor, as the Boston Red Sox seem resigned to let their closer sign elsewhere.

It's Van Wagenen's world

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The Brodie Van Wagenen era has begun in Queens, and the New York Mets of old seem to be gone. Some folks will point out the Mets still aren't adding to the payroll, but the addition of Robinson Cano - even if it involved the offloading of Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak - was not a cheap one.

Van Wagenen seems to want people to know that his era will be defined by a willingness to do things previous regimes didn't, like potentially making deals with the Yankees, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. It might not be a smart idea to send Noah Syndergaard to the Bronx, but Van Wagenen wants you to know: he's willing.

Opposing players psyched to be rid of Hamilton

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It didn't take long for Billy Hamilton to find a new employer after the Cincinnati Reds non-tendered the speedy outfielder. Hamilton wound up agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals.

While Hamilton himself is likely excited about the move, it seems some of his former divisional rivals of his are even more elated.

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