Day 3 of the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is in the books. Like Day 2, Day 3 took on a life of its own as the MLB Hot Stove continues to bubble over. The biggest story of the day, and of the Winter Meetings, has been the drama surrounding free agent megastar Shohei Ohtani. The Ohtani rumors have taken on a life of their own and now have their own running thread that you’re encouraged to read. Now back to the Winter Meetings, Day 3 say a trade between rivals, signings galore, and a major victory (maybe) for the Big League clubs in Ohio.
Here’s a look at almost everything that happened on Day 3 of the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville.
Related: Shohei Ohtani Rumors: A Running Thread of Shohei Ohtani Free Agency Rumors
Ohio Wins the MLB Draft Lottery
The 2nd edition of the MLB Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday night from Nashville, TN. The MLB Network production featured country singer Brad Paisely, aka Peyton Manning’s commercial partner, announcing pre-selected picks off of giant cards. The whole thing was just boring TV with no sense of drama, which is a shame because it had drama. The Cleveland Guardians, a club with a 2% chance of getting the No.1 overall pick, jumped to the top to claim their first-ever No. 1 overall pick in franchise history. The Cincinnati Reds were edged out for the top spot by their Ohio counterparts; however the Reds were able to secure the No. 2 overall pick despite having slim 0.9% chance to get that high. Look folks, there’s drama there! But once again, Major League Baseball chose not to embrace the drama and instead provided a ho hum TV production. Anyway, congrats Cleveland! I’m sure “Teepee Talk” was fired up on Tuesday night.
Want more on the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery? Here are my winners, losers, and top prospects heading into the 2024 MLB Draft.
The .@MLBDraft Lottery is in the books. Here are the winner & losers of the #Lottery and top prospects heading into the #MLBDraft
For .@sportsdailytsd 🔗⬇️https://t.co/ordJFoDBI1#MLB #MLBWinterMeetings #Guardians #Reds #Rockies #WhiteSox #Athletics #Mets
— Michael “Doc” Lipinski (@MLipinskiSports) December 5, 2023
Red Sox-Yankees Make a Trade!
First, CM Punk returns to the WWE and now the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have completed a trade with each other. Hell really has frozen over!
NEVER. SAY. NEVER.@CMPunk has just returned to WWE at #SurvivorSeries!!! pic.twitter.com/0dpG6vyT5r
— WWE (@WWE) November 26, 2023
The stunner of Day 2 came shortly after 9 PM/EST on Tuesday night when the hated rivals completed a trade sending OF Alex Verdugo to the Bronx in exchange for prospects Dick Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. The Verdugo acquisition –which was seen by many as a stopgap in case a Juan Soto deal falls through– won’t prevent the Yankees from acquiring the San Diego slugger, reports Jeff Passan. In fact, MLB Insider Jon Heyman doubles down and believes the Yankees are still in on Soto and potentially Cody Bellinger.
Speaking of Soto …
A Juan Soto Trade Update
The Yankees pursuit of San Diego Padres star Soto has stalled out reportedly due to the Friars high demands for the slugger. According to NJ Advanced Media’s Randy Miller, there’s an “existing framework” of a deal between the two clubs, however counterproposals have been rejected by both sides. For what it’s worth, YES Network commentator Jack Curry believes the Soto-to-Yankees deal gets done. Here’s what he had to say on YES Network’s Talkin’ Yanks:
“I think the deal is going to get done.” -Jack Curry on a Juan Soto Yankees trade pic.twitter.com/ohmYmHim3N
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) December 6, 2023
Yamamoto to the Bronx is Looking Likely
The Yankees look to be taking a massive lead in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes. The Bronx Bombers are “way ahead” is the latest coming from Nashville and rival executives. Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone is expected to meet with Yamamoto during his recruitment process, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Bob Klapisch heard this from an AL Executive yesterday:
“The Yankees are telling people they’re ahead of the pack on (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto. Like, way ahead.”
Will the #Yankees land the Japanese ace? #NYY pic.twitter.com/cIHp53Wr4N
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) December 5, 2023
Trout Fishin’ Done for Now
This is going to burst the bubble of Philadelphia sports radio host Joe Giglio, but the Los Angeles Angels are “definitively” not trading OF Mike Trout this offseason. The quote comes directly from LA’s general manager Perry Minasian, as relayed by The Athletic’s Sam Blum. Now, that doesn’t mean Trout is going to stay in Anaheim forever, it’s a long season after all, but he’s staying put for the short term.
White Sox Sign Erick Fedde
The Chicago White Sox made a move with a starting pitcher, no not the one you’re thinking of! Dylan Cease still resides on the Southside of Chicago for the time being. The ChiSox signed former Washington Nationals‘ starter Erick Fedde to a 2-year/$15MM contract, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The six-year-plus Major League veteran has a 21-33 career record with a 5.41 ERA and 1.523 WHIP in 102 Big League appearances. While those numbers are not good, the 18th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft had a career resurgence in 2023 with the NC Dinos of the KBO League. Fedde posted a 20-6 record with a 2.00 ERA, 209 K, and a 0.954 WHIP in 180.1 innings pitched for the Dinos. His 2023 performance earned him the KBO MVP Award, KBO’s version of the Cy Young Award, and a KBO All-Star selection.
Other Moves from Day 3 of the 2o24 MLB Winter Meetings
- The Texas Rangers are in agreement with pitcher Kirby Yates, reports Ken Rosenthal.
- The Tampa Bay Rays have an agreement with pitcher Chris Devenski, per Jeff Passan.
- The Atlanta Braves have flipped starting pitcher Marco Gonzales –who was acquired earlier this week in the Jarred Kelenic trade– to the Pittsburgh Pirates, reports Jeff Passan.
- The Angels have signed reliever Luis Garcia to a one-year deal, per Bob Nightengale.
- The Houston Astros are in agreement with catcher Victor Caratini, reports Chandler Rome. The deal is 2-years/$12MM, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
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