Weekend Catch-Up: Lackey, Baez, Greinke, Samardzija, Chen, Closer Talk, Gordon, More

It’s rare that I have to do a post early in the morning on a Monday before I can even get to the Weekend Catch-Up, but Winter Meetings week is a rare thing. Thus, if you’re just waking up, the Cubs and Rays are reportedly talking about a Javier Baez trade.

And now there’s so much more else to catch up on …

Friday, December 4

• The weekend opened tamely enough, with word of the Cubs playing in Las Vegas this Spring.
• Much of the activity seemed like it was waiting on Zack Greinke to pull the trigger on a deal, which he eventually did. With the Diamondbacks. That was a shock, to say the least.
• Meanwhile, Jeff Samardzija’s price tag climbed, and the Cubs’ interest in John Lackey heated up. So, you know, they signed him.
• Luke took a look at Billy McKinney’s great season.
• Javy Baez is expected to see some time in center field in winter ball.
• The Cubs nabbed another reliever off the waiver wire.
• It’s a strategy the Cubs have employed a ton already this offseason, and it worked well last year.

Saturday, December 5

• In honor of the John Lackey signing, I remembered how Jon Lester got his first big league hit off of his friend.
• The Marlins went and did it, hiring Barry Bonds as their new hitting coach.
• Theo Epstein spoke about a huge range of important topics.
• The Giants lost out on Zack Greinke, so they ponied up big for Jeff Samardzija.
• The Cubs were connected to yet another starter this weekend, with Wei-Yin Chen getting the treatment.
• And then the strange rumor of the weekend … the Cubs are targeting a top closer in trade?

Sunday, December 6

• Outfielder Alex Gordon remains on the Cubs’ radar.
• A Lukewarm Stove with a ton of additional rumors.
• Luis looked at how pitchers like John Lackey have pitched in their late-30s.
• Darren O’Day probably re-signed with the Orioles, but it got a little weird.
• The Cubs are reportedly among the three teams showing the most interest in Fernando Rodney.
• The Dodgers and Reds seem to be in serious talks about an Aroldis Chapman trade.
• And the weekend closed down with a Winter Meetings eve take, including tons more rumors and news. Because it’s that time of year.