What really goes on at the MLB GM meetings in Phoenix? Imagine a convention of serious insiders hobnobbing in hotel lobbies. At some point these executives reach the lampshade stage of the road trip, and then the lunacy begins. The reality is that hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line. Are we at the lampshade stage?
The Cubs are giving crazy signals that President Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer are playing with a loaded deck. The Dodgers have a bloated outfield. The Nationals are making waves. And there are a lot of big names being shopped around.
The Cubs have been rumored in trade talks with the Nationals for Jordan Zimmerman, with the Dodgers for Carl Crawford, and the Phillies for Cole Hamels. This is in addition to the rumors surrounding free agents Russell Martin, Jon Lester, and Max Scherzer.
The Cubs, Dodgers, and Red Sox might make the biggest splashes; but look out for the White Sox and the Astros to make some interesting moves for the future. The Pirates will be looking for some glue after Martin leaves town; and catchers are at a premium in the newly defined defense-first major leagues. The Yankees have given early signals that they are out of the big time free-agent market – but who knows?
Recently MLB.com ranked the most coveted free agents in terms of WAR for the past three years. One shocking aspect of this list is the ages of the highest rated players. Most of them range from their early to mid-30s. After the dust settles the GM meetings will go a long way to determine who thinks they are contenders, and who is playing for the future.
The GM confab provides the table – free agency and trades provide the chips. Time will tell, of course.
