Winter Meetings Live Thread Day 2 – and the Atlanta Braves Human Trade Rumor

Nov 3, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) waves to fans during the World Series victory parade route at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Winter Meetings Day 2 – Evening Session

5:00pm EST

• We’ve been hearing rumblings that RHRP Shawn Kelley is going to Washington.  Apparently others aren’t buying that.  Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Mariners are “looking into a reunion” with him… but then so are a lot of clubs.
• Indians thinking 1 year deal plus option for Rajai Davis (Paul Hoynes, Cleveland.com).
• Marlins getting interest in A.J. Ramos (Jerry Crasnick)
• Rosenthal says Dodgers are involved in a discussion to get a third team involved to help pacify the Marlins’ demands for Jose Fernandez.  Not at all sure how that would work, but okay.
• Rangers and Indians talking about starting pitching (Indians’ pitching, that is).  (TR Sullivan, Rangers’ mlb.com guy)

6:00pm EST

• Suddenly the Cubs are figuring prominently in rumors:
  • Cubs are “in” on Ben Zobrist (multiple sources)
  • However… that can’t happen by itself.  Multiple other things would have to occur.  Start by looking at positioning:  Starlin Castro is the second baseman for Chicago… Zo’s preferred position.
  • Now we hear that the Yankees and Cubs are talking about a swap involving… Starlin Castro.  This could be for Brett Gardner, which would make all the sense in the world for Chicago, as they need a CF, and showed prior interest.  Joel Sherman also mentions that Cubs are curious about Starter/reliever Adam Warren, who could provide rotation insurance for them.
  • But would they trade Castro if Zobrist wasn’t coming?  That does suggest some foreknowledge on their part, but the Cubs do have a couple of fallback options:  Javier Baez and Tommy LaStella.  Either could play 2nd base.
  • Jon Heyman says that everyone “in” on Zobrist is willing to give him a 4-year deal (mentions Mets, Nats, Giants, “mystery teams”)
  • Finally:  can the Cubs afford Zo?  Probably not… and Gardner makes $6 million more than Castro as well.
  • So the Cubs would still have to dump salary somewhere.  I still think the Braves could figure in this somehow.  Get the popcorn and pull out a movie.
• MEANWHILE….

Go ahead… shut twitter down now.  Just do it.

• The Orioles have been heard from!  They have signed a 2-year contract extension with… the Delmarva Shorebirds – their A-ball affiliate.
• Mariners are reported to be close to getting reliever Evan Scribner, who finished the season with a shoulder injury (Oakland).
• Dave Stewart (DBacks GM) tells Nick Piecoro that Jose Fernandez has been discussed – internally and with the Marlins.  He expects to continue that dialog.  I would also personally imagine that the Fish are asking for something like Paul Goldschmidt++.  Jack Magruder indicates there are 4 “untouchables” on their team:  Goldy, Pollock, Corbin, and Greinke of course.
• Cubs are meeting with reliever Antonio Bastardo‘s reps (Robert Murray).
• Mets and Cubs could be Zobrist finalists (Rosenthal, Crasnick).  Mets getting worried.
• Tommy Stokke has a source indicating that Zobrist’s offers are between $56 and $60 million (for 4 years, presumably).  Mets/Cubs, with the Nationals on the outside and the Braves off in the satellite parking area somewhere.
• Theo Epstein “says the Cubs are getting closer to a deal”.  And yes, they are trying to synchronize a trade with a free agent… sound like all of the above is happening (Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago). Mark Gonzalez (Chicago Tribune) tweets the same information.
• Progress with Flowers is happening.  Could bloom.  (Dave O’Brien)
• Braves looking for 6th-7th inning lefty reliever.  (Also Dave O’Brien)

Back on quotes from Theo Epstein:

WARNING – BOB NIGHTENGALE TWEET… hasn’t been right much this week, but…

(You can murmur among yourselves about what this means for Christian Bethancourt – who is out of options.  Undoubtedly, he is now included in almost every trade conversation.)

• ZOBRIST to CUBS.  4 years, $56 million.  Source?  just about everyone.
• Dang… went to dinner… came back to 325 new tweets.
• The other shoe has dropped as well, and Joel Sherman was right:  Starlin Castro to the Yankees for RHP Adam Warren and a PTBNL (“Ryan”; source is Carrie Muskat).

Next: It's Happened - Shelby Has Been Traded