What are the Pittsburgh Pirates’ NL Central rivals up to at the 2017 Winter Meetings? We round up everything we know as Day two hits the midway point.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are still relatively quiet as the Winter Meetings solider on. While we wait for the club to make a move, let’s check in on what the rest of the NL Central is up to.
St. Louis Cardinals
Let’s start with the Cardinals. Still stung from being spurned by Giancarlo Stanton, the Cardinals are suddenly at the forefront of a couple of juicy rumors:
The #STLCards have emerged as the favorites to acquire #Marlins OF Marcell Ozuna but no decision yet
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 12, 2017
The #STLCards also among the teams interested in #Orioles 3B Manny Machado, who wants to move back to SS if he stays in Baltimore. The Orioles now more inclined to move him, but no one can predict what owner Peter Angelos will ultimately decide
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 12, 2017
Either move — if consummated — would be transformative for the Cardinals. St. Louis bats did post the fifth-highest fWAR for hitters in the NL with a 24.8 rating, but when you have the chance to snatch up Marcell Ozuna or Manny Machado, you do it. Period.
Of the two, Ozuna would clearly cost the most, as he is controllable through 2020 with each of the three years covered in arbitration. Machado is under contract for just one year, and there will be a bidding war of the highest degree for his services after the 2018 season. And, no, the Pittsburgh Pirates will not be in the running for him.
The Cardinals are looking for a two-to-one outfielder swap to pare down their outfield surplus, so expect Ozuna to be the play if the Cards can only seal one deal.
Chicago Cubs
The team that knocked the Pittsburgh Pirates out of their last playoff appearance has already made a headline bullpen acquisition in Brandon Morrow, and a notable starting pitching haul in Tyler Chatwood. That does not mean they are done, as Robert Murray of FanRag reports that the club is interested in Royals’ starter Danny Duffy. The Cubs also seem resigned to losing starter Jake Arrietta to free agency, something which might make Pittsburgh Pirates fans smile.
Otherwise, the Cubs are looking for a late-inning reliever, perhaps by keeping Wade Davis in the fold.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are drawing interest on noted Pittsburgh Pirates-killer Billy Hamilton.
#Reds continuing to draw interest in their OFers, including Hamilton, as they try to clear a spot for Winker, sources tell The Athletic. #SFGiants remain strongest on Hamilton.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2017
The Winker Rosenthal references is the Reds’ sixth-ranked prospect Jesse Winker, a prospect with a 60-rated hit tool who the Reds would like to make room for. Additionally, Cincy might be looking to maximize return on Hamilton, whose limited skill-set at this point is well-known.
Lastly, the Reds want a reliever just like everyone else.
It appears #reds are looking more at relievers than starters. Said GM Williams: “Ideally, we’d maintain some flexibility there as to how guys are used. We think we have more starting pitching, guys that have the ability to stick as starters."
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) December 11, 2017
Milwaukee Brewers
We recently heard that the Brewers would be aggressive in the hot stove, but so far the team has done nothing to back that up.
There has been some chatter that the Brew Crew are looking to raid the Tampa Bay Rays of their starting pitching, perhaps even Chris Archer. That would be a big splash, but most industry sources believe that the Brewers have enough in their system to reel in a big fish.
Milwaukee also is fielding offers for outfielder Domingo Santana, who had a breakout 2017 with 30 home runs and a 126 wRC+. The Brewers also plan to meet with agents for their in-house free agents — old friend Neil Walker and reliever Anthony Swarzak — at some point.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
