The MLB winter meetings were the biggest platform for what’s been arguably the most active offseason in recent memory.
The Arizona Diamondbacks supplemented their splash signing of mega-free agent Zack Greinke by trading for up-and-coming Atlanta Braves starter Shelby Miller.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ deal with the Cincinnati Reds for lights-out closer Aroldis Chapman was halted when MLB launched an investigation into domestic abuse accusations against the hard-hurling lefty.
The Chicago Cubs finally pulled the trigger and traded shortstop Starlin Castro, who’d been linked to trade talks as far back as the 2014 non-waiver deadline, to the New York Yankees.
The meetings are in the books, but as teams trek home from Nashville, Tennessee, there are still ongoing trade discussions that could manifest into moves in the coming days. Here is a look at the post-meetings buzz.
Reds discussing Todd Frazier with Royals
The Reds failed to return on what would’ve been a high-end deal for Chapman, but they have also actively shopped third baseman Todd Frazier, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The defending champion Kansas City Royals have emerged as a potential suitor, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark:
The Royals already have All-Star Mike Moustakas at third, but as Stark indicated, they’ll need to fill two corner outfield spots with Alex Gordon and Alex Rios currently on the free-agent market.
Frazier is a Gold Glove winner at third base and has played only 13 games in the outfield since breaking into the bigs in 2011, though he did start 173 games there in five minor league seasons.
Frazier has two years of club control left and is due to make $7.5 million next year, per Spotrac, which is well within the mid-market Royals’ budget.
The Reds are said to be seeking MLB-ready talent for Frazier, according to Stark, which the Royals may be hesitant to cede. The defending champs are already primed for another pennant run, but adding Frazier would only bolster their odds, which are currently fifth-best at 12-1, per Odds Shark.
Rockies speak with Nationals about Charlie Blackmon
The Colorado Rockies have long been linked to trade rumors for power bat Carlos Gonzalez, but fellow outfielder Charlie Blackmon has surfaced as another potential chip, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
The Washington Nationals have been in contact with the Rockies for the outfielder, though the Rockies are said to be seeking a lot for the burly and bearded center fielder, according to Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com:
Blackmon has been an everyday workhorse the past two seasons, missing just 13 games during that span while compiling a .288 batting average, 18 home runs and 65 RBI a year.
The Rockies desperately need pitching—of which the Nationals have plenty—as Colorado collectively compiled an MLB-worst 5.04 ERA in 2015, but it has struggled to lure free agents to hitter-friendly Coors Field.
The Rockies offense has ranked in the top five in runs scored in each of the last two years, but they’ve finished no better than fourth in the National League West in that span.
Marlins say they won’t trade Jose Fernandez
Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Wednesday that ace Jose Fernandez “is not going anywhere,” per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
The Marlins have fielded calls for the 23-year-old star right-hander, but any momentum of a possible deal dwindled toward the end of the winter meetings, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports broached that the D-backs—given their incredibly aggressive offseason that clearly shows they fully plan to contend in 2016—should pursue Fernandez to complete what would be one of the best rotations in baseball:
[General manager Dave] Stewart lives in the today, the heavy rush of the moment – as well as the imperative from his bosses – outweighing what a kid might become. It’s why Fernandez makes so much sense. Greinke and Fernandez immediately would become the game’s best duo – one reminiscent of the Curt Schilling-and-Randy Johnson-led World Series-winning team in 2001 that Arizona still reveres. And if it costs prospects, well, Stewart ripped open that Pandora’s box like it was a present Christmas morning.
Fernandez would immediately catapult any contender, but the Marlins are hoping he can be their catalyst in the coming years as they aim to chase the Nationals and New York Mets in what is shaping up to be a competitive NL East.
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