The leftovers: What teams have to do after the winter meetings
The winter meetings have come and gone, but there's still plenty of dealing to be done.
While there's typically a flurry of moves during the five-day event, it's also a time to lay the foundation for future deals, allowing teams across the league to meet face-to-face in order to gauge the market.
A slower start to the offseason means the likes of J.D. Martinez, Yu Darvish, Wade Davis, Eric Hosmer, Jake Arrieta, and Lorenzo Cain all remain on the free-agent market, while Chris Archer, Josh Donaldson, Gerrit Cole, and many others could be traded in the coming months.
With conversations had, and contact established, here's what's left for all 30 teams to do this offseason.
Arizona Diamondbacks. Another bullpen arm and a catcher are needed, though general manager Mike Hazen might also have some bigger things lined up. The club wants to reunite with J.D. Martinez, while Hazen could look at dealing ace Zack Greinke in order to free up some cash. A potential Greinke trade could be a long shot though, as the right-hander possesses a 15-team no-trade list and is owed $126.5 million.
Atlanta Braves. GM Alex Anthopoulos is still getting settled into his new role, and that could be a factor as to why he didn't make any moves during the winter meetings. The club would like to add a third baseman as they continue to bring along Johan Camargo, and arms in both the rotation and bullpen are needed. Veteran outfielders Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis could be shopped.
Baltimore Orioles. While the Orioles search for starting pitching help, the big story is what happens with Manny Machado. The club received offers for the All-Star infielder and it's a real possibility he could be dealt this winter. Should Machado go, the front office might clean house by sending relievers Zach Britton and Brad Brach to new homes.
Boston Red Sox. Things were quiet for the Red Sox at the winter meetings but optimism remains as none of the club's primary targets have signed elsewhere. J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, and Carlos Santana are all options to either play first base or DH, while a reunion with utility man Eduardo Nunez is still in the cards. The Red Sox are expected to make a major play for a bat, though patience might be key as they wait for prices to come down.
Chicago Cubs. It's been a productive offseason on the North Side of Chicago. Tyler Chatwood is a nice replacement for John Lackey in the rotation, while the additions of Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek help beef up the bullpen. The Cubs could still use another starter - unless they're willing to roll the dice with Mike Montgomery. They also could bring back closer Wade Davis.
Chicago White Sox. The rebuilding White Sox were one of the most surprising stories at the winter meetings with the news that they're aggressively pursuing Manny Machado. The intention would be to try to convince Machado to sign long-term to become the centerpiece of a rebuild. Should they fail to complete a deal for the Orioles star, expect them to make more short-term moves to fill the roster while their young players continue to develop.
Cincinnati Reds. Billy Hamilton remains the Reds center fielder, but for how long remains to be seen. The Giants are one of the clubs who have expressed interest in the speedster, along with Adam Duvall. Neither player necessarily needs to be moved, but could be had for the right cost. Cincinnati needs to add a shortstop this winter after Zack Cozart became a free agent.
Cleveland Indians. The Indians put out an offer to Carlos Santana but will have to wait for a potential reunion as he assesses his options. Should Santana go elsewhere, the club shouldn't struggle to find alternatives at first base. Mitch Moreland, Logan Morrison, Matt Adams, Mike Napoli, and Yonder Alonso are all on the market.
Colorado Rockies. Most of the Rockies heavy lifting has already been done, as catcher Chris Iannetta and relievers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee have all signed deals. The club was also believed to be close to re-signing Greg Holland, though talks have slowed a bit. If Holland is no longer an option, the team could pivot to Wade Davis. There's also been talks with first basemen Mark Reynolds and Carlos Santana, so there's still a few more moves to come for Colorado.
Detroit Tigers. There isn't much left in Detroit now. After trading Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, and Justin Upton last season, Ian Kinsler was the latest veteran to change addresses when he was traded to the Angels this week. There might be more dealing too. The Tigers will listen on young ace Michael Fulmer, and could also move Shane Greene, Nicholas Castellanos, and Jose Iglesias. There's plenty of needs in Detroit, but don't expect the club to be adding any veterans on long-term deals now that they've cleared away salary.
Houston Astros. The reigning World Series champions already addressed their biggest need by adding reliever Joe Smith to the bullpen. Houston is likely done making major moves with the lineup and pitching staff set.
Kansas City Royals. There might be more subtraction than addition over the next month, as the Royals are listening to offers for Danny Duffy, Scott Alexander, Whit Merrifield, and Kelvin Herrera in an attempt to shed payroll. It's a full-on rebuild in Kansas City, where the club needs help at almost every position and also needs to bulk up a less-than-spectacular farm system.
Los Angeles Angels. GM Billy Eppler has already done most of his offseason shopping. An extension for Justin Upton, the surprise signing of Shohei Ohtani, and a trade for Ian Kinsler have all been taken care of. Now, Eppler can focus on maybe adding another starter, along with a versatile infielder who could play either third or first base. Todd Frazier, Chase Headley, and Eduardo Nunez are all options.
Los Angeles Dodgers. Much like the Astros, the Dodgers don't need to add much. The club never appeared to really be in on Giancarlo Stanton as they wish to trim payroll to an extent this winter. The club could look to replace Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson in the bullpen, but it's unlikely they'll be spending big to add a reliever.
Miami Marlins. The teardown in Miami is on with Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, and Marcell Ozuna traded in separate deals. The farm system did receive a bit of a boost in the returns for the three, but the Marlins could take it another step by dealing Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto. Or, the front office could hold onto two of their remaining young stars to build around. Expect Starlin Castro, Brad Ziegler, Junichi Tazawa, and Dan Straily to be shopped.
Milwaukee Brewers. After not making a single move at the winter meetings, the Brewers have some work to do. The team remains in search of a front-of-the-rotation starter, a reliever, and potentially a second baseman. Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb, and Lance Lynn are all still available, while the club could also reunite with Neil Walker.
Minnesota Twins. With Fernando Rodney locked in at the back of the bullpen, the Twins can focus on adding another starter and potentially another bat. GM Thad Levine has aspirations of landing a prominent starter this winter and has been linked to Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, and Alex Cobb - all arms tied to draft-pick compensation.
New York Mets. The Mets added Anthony Swarzak to help in the bullpen, but there's still lots of work to be done. The club needs a second baseman, and after Ian Kinsler refused to waive his no-trade clause for Queens, the team is expected to inquire about Jason Kipnis or Josh Harrison, while Jose Reyes is also a potential option.
New York Yankees. GM Brian Cashman made the biggest splash of the offseason, landing reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. Now the team must address either second or third base after trading Chase Headley and Starlin Castro, along with adding another starter. There's plenty of options via both trade and free agency. Eduardo Nunez, Zack Cozart, and Brandon Drury could help in the infield, while CC Sabathia, Michael Fulmer, Chris Archer, Danny Duffy, and Gerrit Cole could join the rotation.
Oakland Athletics. Stephen Piscotty was one of the final moves of the meetings and gives the Athletics the right-handed-hitting outfielder they sought. Oakland also nabbed reliever Yusmeiro Petit earlier in the offseason, and can now focus on adding a lefty to the pen. The club did get a call on Khris Davis, but opted to tell the Red Sox they'd rather hold onto the slugger.
Philadelphia Phillies. One of the most aggressive teams at the meetings, the Phillies added both Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek to the bullpen. While still rebuilding, the club has expressed some interest in Manny Machado, though a major deal that would cost top-level prospects is unlikely - unless it's for a young, controllable player like Christian Yelich.
Pittsburgh Pirates. It looks like the Pirates will be sellers this winter, and the front office spent the meetings gauging the market on Josh Harrison, Andrew McCutchen, and Gerrit Cole. Pittsburgh hasn't won a postseason game in the last four years and are coming off an 87-loss season - their most since 2011. McCutchen is a free agent at the end of next year so expect him to be moved, while the urgency to deal Cole and Harrison isn't as strong due to their contracts.
San Diego Padres. Believe it or not, the Padres are one of the leading candidates to sign Eric Hosmer. Whether they actually land the top free-agent first baseman remains to be seen, but it will be an intriguing storyline to watch. Expect San Diego to look for new homes for Chase Headley and Yangervis Solarte. They could swing another trade like they did for Headley and take on a bad contract in order to land a prospect. The Padres are also looking for a shortstop, and have been linked to Zack Cozart and Alcides Escobar.
San Francisco Giants. After swinging and missing on Giancarlo Stanton, Shohei Ohtani, and Marcell Ozuna, the Giants remain with lots of holes. The team needs help in the outfield, both defensively and offensively. Third base is also an area in need of upgrade as it's currently occupied by Pablo Sandoval. J.D. Martinez is a possible fit because of his bat, but the Giants may be reluctant to give such a poor defender a long-term deal to play the outfield. Lorenzo Cain would give the team a center fielder with some power and is an excellent defender.
Seattle Mariners. GM Jerry Dipoto has proved time and time again that there's always a deal to be made, but there really isn't much left for the Mariners to do this offseason. Despite whiffing on Shohei Ohtani, Dipoto added Juan Nicasio, Ryon Healy, and Dee Gordon this winter.
St. Louis Cardinals. After missing the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since 2007-08, the Cardinals have made it a mission to significantly upgrade the roster this winter. Adding Marcell Ozuna doesn't appear good enough as the club is also highly interested in trading for Josh Donaldson, and could see either Manny Machado or Evan Longoria as plan B's. The Cardinals would also like to add a closer, so expect plenty more moves to come.
Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays spent the winter meetings making minor moves, adding Ryan Schimpf and Joey Wendle, but those deals won't do much to help them in the top-heavy AL East. It might be time to blow things up in Tampa, so expect the club to receive plenty of interest. Chris Archer, Evan Longoria, Jake Odorizzi, and Alex Colome could all be moved as the team sets a new course to getting back to the postseason.
Texas Rangers. GM Jon Daniels stirred the pot a bit when he inquired about Zack Greinke, so expect the Rangers to be in the market for an impact starter. Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish also make sense for a club eager to add to the rotation. Adding Doug Fister and Mike Minor was nice, but Texas will need to make a bigger splash should it wish to compete with the Astros, Angels, and Mariners.
Toronto Blue Jays. While the front office is adamant about holding onto Josh Donaldson in his final arbitration year, that hasn't stopped the Cardinals from calling. Toronto, though, wants to compete in 2018, but they'll need some pieces in order to do so. Adding a fifth starter, utility infielder, and corner outfielder are all on the to-do list, with CC Sabathia, Eduardo Nunez, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, and Jay Bruce being linked to the club.
Washington Nationals. Brandon Kintzler is back in the pen after re-signing. The Nationals will now look for a fifth starter, while also adding to the bench. Expect this team to potentially make a surprise addition as well. With Bryce Harper's impending free agency, and the organization having never advanced past the NLDS, the Nationals might make a major splash before Harper potentially departs.
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