This could be the busiest week of the off-season.
The Winter Meetings began on Sunday in Dallas, with teams meeting to work out trades, meet with agents about free agents, and conduct business like the draft lottery and Rule 5 draft. The Royals have already made some significant moves, re-signing Michael Wacha to a three-year, $51 million deal and acquiring second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer from the Reds for pitcher Brady Singer.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s Winter Meetings.
The Winter Meetings are baseball’s annual convention, with representatives from all 30 MLB teams, as well as from minor league teams, agents, players, and of course, media. While executives meet for the GM meetings in November, the Winter Meetings is when the most hot stove action takes place as GMs meet face-to-face and hammer out deals that will shape their teams for next season. Agents also meet with teams to work out deals for free agents, so expect a lot of signings this week.
There is also some business with the MLB Draft Lottery to take place on Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30 CT. All non-playoff teams will enter into a lottery to determine the first six picks of the draft, weighted by winning percentage with the worst team having the best odds. However some teams can become ineligible - the White Sox are ineligible for being a team that pays into revenue sharing, and the A’s are ineligible for landing lottery picks in each of the last two seasons.
The Rockies have the best odds in the lottery - you can see complete odds for eligible teams here. The Royals made the playoffs and are ineligible for the lottery. As of right now they would have the 23rd pick, although that could change if teams sign free agents that cause them to forfeit picks.
The Rule 5 draft will take place on Wednesday, December 11 at 1 p.m. CT to close out the Winter Meetings. The draft allows teams to pluck unprotected talent that has spent a certain number of years in the minor leagues if they keep the player on the MLB roster for an entire season. In the past the Royals have netted Brad Keller, Joakim Soria, and Nate Adock through the Rule 5 draft.
J.J. Picollo indicated the offense was his main priority at the outset of the off-season. Having already addressed the top of the order with the acquisition of India, his attention has turned to adding a middle-of-the-order hitter to drive in runs, likely via trade. Among the hitters that could be available include Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, and Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, and potentially other names like Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger and Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
The Royals will look to add to their rotation depth after trading Singer, although Kris Bubic is expected to jump into the rotation next year. The Royals would prefer to add a pitcher who can start or relieve, a swingman role that veteran Michael Lorenzen filled last year. The Royals seemed to find a bullpen core they could rely on toward the end of the season, and Hunter Harvey should return from his back issues to help out. But if they move Bubic to the rotation, that costs them a reliever, and they could always use more bullpen depth.
If the Royals wanted to swing a trade, their minor league depth is still fairly thin although they do have depth at catcher with Carter Jensen, Blake Mitchell, Ramon Ramirez, and Hyungchan Um among their top prospects. They have drawn interest from teams in infielder Maikel Garcia because of his ability to play shortstop. Second baseman Michael Massey could also be available after the trade to acquire India. Earlier reports indicated the Royals were open to trading Bubic or pitcher Alec Marsh to teams to land a slugger.
Juan Soto was the biggest domino to fall this off-season, signing a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets. Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki will be posted this week, but because he is subject to international free agent bonus pool limits, he will not sign until the new international signing period begins on January 15. Other top free agents include first baseman Pete Alonso, infielders Ha-Seong Kim and Gleyber Torres, third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielders Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander, starting pitchers Corbin Burnes, Jack Flaherty, and Max Fried, and reliever Tanner Scott.
A few other top names have already signed, including pitcher Blake Snell signing a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers and shortstop Willy Adames signing a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants. Snell is a Scott Boras client, signing early after dragging out negotiations into spring training last year and getting off to a poor start. The market in general seems to be moving earlier than in recent seasons.
The Phillies are looking to shake up their roster, and in addition to offering Bohm have offered up pitcher Ranger Suárez and outfielder Nick Castellanos.
The Cubs are eager to move outfielder Cody Bellinger, but failing that could move outfielder Seiya Suzuki. They had discussed a swap of big contracts with Bellinger to the Diamondbacks for pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who was blasted by owner Ken Kendrick. The Diamondbacks have a surplus of starting pitching they could look to move.
White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet is drawing a lot of trade interest from the Cubs and Mets with the White Sox wanting position players in return.
The Cardinals are looking to reset their roster by moving some contracts such as Arenado and pitchers Sonny Gray and Steven Matz, but they may be holding onto All-Star closer Ryan Helsley.
Boston wants to add starting pitching and is up for trading Triston Casas to add it.
The Mariners have also sought a hitter, with interest in Bellinger, Bohm, and Nico Hoerner, with Luis Castillo possibly available.
Rays pitchers Jeffrey Springs and Peter Fairbanks are drawing interest.
Mets third baseman Brett Baty is drawing trade interest.
The Braves are looking for outfielders, preferably left-handed hitters.
The Rockies are looking to add a second baseman.
The Reds are interested in Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor of the Guardians.
