Winter Meetings Monday Mid-Day: Moss Trade, Lester, Zimmermann, Much More

Dec 08, 2014

I’m sure it’s an exaggeration to say, but were’ less than a half-day into the Winter Meetings – it’s not even 11am yet in San Diego – and it already feels more active than last year. We’ve already seen the Cubs agree to a deal with Jason Hammel, plenty of Jon Lester rumors swirl, a Jeff Samardzija/White Sox rumor pop back up, and a trade!

That trade would be this trade, the Indians getting OF/1B/DH Brandon Moss from the A’s for infield prospect Joe Wendle. Moss has been trending down a bit in recent years and he’s more on the 1B/DH side of the OF/1B/DH equation, but, still, it’s not much of a return for the A’s. Wendle, who will be 25 next year, has decent minor league numbers (far from impressive, given his age and level), but he hasn’t yet reached AAA. He’s something of a back-end top 10 prospect in the Indians’ system, which isn’t a huge compliment at this point. He could be a useful, inexpensive infielder for the A’s, perhaps as soon as 2015 – and maybe that was the best second baseman (a clear need) the A’s could get for Moss, if that’s what they were determined to do. The deal suggests, perhaps, that the market for bats isn’t quite as insane as it was looking a week ago, and also clears the way for the A’s to not trade outfielder Josh Reddick, which they were probably never going to do, but I had some hopes.

I’ll sneak a Lester update into this bulk post, but probably mention it again later in a dedicated Lester post:

Lester talks nearing the finish line, sources say. Choice will be made no earlier than tonight, no later than tomorrow.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 8, 2014

Whether Lester chooses the Red Sox or not, Ken Rosenthal hears that going after Cole Hamels is on the table – as in, a back-up for Lester, or a complement to.

Speaking of Lester back-up stuff, John Shea doesn’t expect the Giants to go hard after Max Scherzer if they don’t get Lester. That makes me wonder about the Giants’ ceiling on a Lester offer.

A long piece from Jesse Rogers on the Cubs’ possible other pitching plans, with lengthy quotes from Theo Epstein.

There’s a lot of chatter about the Nationals trying to take another run at extending Jordan Zimmermann, their ace who is under contract for $16.5 million in 2015, and then hits free agency. There were plenty of trade rumors swirling over the past few weeks, and I can’t help but wonder whether that was all designed to try and make Zimmermann more serious about an extension. If it doesn’t happen, though, a trade is not unrealistic. I’ll never begrudge a guy for cashing in on a huge extension when he has a chance, but, well, here’s hoping Zimmermann doesn’t.

Andrew Marchand reports that the Yankees are willing to go to four years on Chase Headley and David Robertson, but at “their” price. So, put that way, the years might not really matter. On Robertson, by the way, the White Sox might be involved. Clearly, the White Sox want to compete in 2015. I have no beef with that.

On Headley, Jerry Crasnick suggests it might take only four years and $44 to $48 million to keep him. Either he’s way into the Yankees, or those reports of a 4/$65 million offer were totally bogus. I don’t even care about the strange, awkward fit for the Cubs – at 4/$48M, Headley would be a great deal for virtually any team.

It sounds like Royals closer Greg Holland is available (Bob Elliott), but he’d cost a fair bit in prospects *and* he’s due to make something like $9 million in arbitration.

The Dodgers/Padres trade rumors continue, with Bob Nightengale saying the Padres are the “most likely” destination for Matt Kemp, if that’s who the Dodgers wind up trading. The return would be Yasmani Grandal and more (presumably with the Dodgers sending a bunch of salary). This would be a highly strange in-division trade, in my opinion. Not sure why each team would want to help better the other right now.

The Rangers’ preferred trade target right now is Andrew Cashner (Evan Grant). Further, the Rangers might have only about $15 to $17 million in currently-available payroll space with which to work. It has been unclear just how big they would push into the free agent pitching market this offseason.

Also, because this is the Ugly Sweater Winter Meetings, a few visual updates (including from Tommy, who joined in!). Oh, and for the record, I did take the jacket off at the doctor’s office – I had just sat down when we arrived to snap the picture, generating plenty of uncomfortable glances from the other parents there:

As promised, I am wearing the ugly sweater. All. Week. #UglySweaterWinterMeetings https://t.co/9MFCfVnX8u

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) December 8, 2014

Wife caught me frantically typing first thing this morning in sweater. Didn't even have time to leave the kitchen. pic.twitter.com/LnCrw8bQnE
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) December 8, 2014

Had to take The Little Girl to the doctor's office. In my ugly sweater. #UglySweaterWinterMeetings pic.twitter.com/aQwMd6qkj1

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) December 8, 2014

@BleacherNation fantastic. Here's mine as promised pic.twitter.com/YYsi5qoyzz

— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) December 8, 2014

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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