Winter Meetings Weds Late Afternoon: Cardinals Targeting Machado, More Reliever Signings, Duffy, Fulmer, Iglesias, More

Dec 13, 2017

After a bit of an unexpected afternoon rumor hiatus, the stove is back on and the rumors are pouring in (like the Pirates scouting the Yankees in preparation for a potential Gerrit Cole swap?!).

And to that end, another hour goes by another potential Cubs relief option flies off the board:

#Mariners in agreement with free-agent reliever Juan Nicasio on two-year contract, sources tell The Athletic. Pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2017

Like the last few relief deals, Juan Nicasio wasn’t a particularly compelling Cubs target, but the options are quickly coming off the board. Perhaps, at some point, the Cubs will get something done with Wade Davis (would he take three years?) or maybe they’ll bring in my personal favorite, Addison Reed (he probably would take three, given the other deals out there), but it seems like it’s getting close to decision time. Fortunately, the Cubs aren’t exactly desperate, as they’ve already brought in Brandon Morrow, who could close, and have a number of other quality arms already in the pen (Carl Edwards, Pedro Strop, Justin Wilson, Mike Montgomery, etc.).

In any case, as the Cubs continue to search for relief help at the back of their bullpen, one of their former closers is garnering interest from another contender in the other league:

One name to keep an eye on in terms of possible Astros interest is RHP Hector Rondon, who was non-tendered by Cubs.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 13, 2017

It remains possible (though pretty unlikely at this point) that the Cubs and Rondon could reconnect on a deal, though I’m guessing he’ll get a bite from someone else out there first. I know there’s a real chance he’s just “broken” forever, but he’s still pretty young, with good velocity, and an excellent track-record before the very end of the 2016 season. I wouldn’t be against a low-risk, cheap reunion. Okay, let’s put a pin the relief stuff for now, but be prepared for that market to keep on churning.

WAIT – as I (Brett) am editing Michael’s post, this drops:

Source: Astros in agreement with free agent RHP Joe Smith, pending physical.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 13, 2017

The full Cardinals-Marlins Marcell Ozuna deal is out, and the Cardinals absolutely stole Ozuna:

Source: In addition to Alcantara and Sierra, other two prospects Marlins receiving in Ozuna deal are rhp Zac Gallen and lhp Daniel Castano.

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 13, 2017

Even if you’re all about Alcantara, which the Marlins clearly were, it’s hard to imagine that there wasn’t a better deal out there for two cost-controlled years of a 27-year-old outfielder coming off of a borderline MVP season. Cardinals Voodoo Magic applies to trades.

Let’s shift our attention back to the starting pitcher trade market, because Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman have some notable updates:

#Royals GM Dayton Moore told KC radio station in November that payroll would be in $110M-$120M range. Sources now indicate number will be no more than $110M. Only way Hosmer fits is if #Royals trim in other areas. KC listening on everyone, getting significant interest in Duffy.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2017

Danny Duffy extremely popular on trade market. KC seriously thinking about trading.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 13, 2017

If the Royals hope to stay in that $110M range next season, they’ll need to cut some payroll and Duffy isn’t exactly cheap in 2018 ($14M). Even though Eric Hosmer will earn an overall AAV greater than $14M, the Royals could skate under that $110M payroll limit by backloading his contract (like most free agent deals). Plus, if they were to trade for a cheap, young bat from a team like the Cubs, they’d be able to improve the 25-man roster without taking on much salary overall. At the same, while it’s great to hear that the Royals are open to moving Duffy, you don’t exactly love to hear that he’s “extremely popular.” All that means is the acquisition price is going to go up. It makes you think teams just aren’t enamored with the free agent options/price tags right now.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins have apparently shown some interest in Rays starter Jake Odorizzi, offering “a modest package of minor league prospects,” but apparently the Rays weren’t interested. It’s important to remember that many believe the Rays will move just one of their more expensive starting pitchers this winter, so if Odorizzi does get moved, Chris Archer becomes less of a possibility for the Chicago Cubs (or whomever), unless they’re going to really tear the thing down.

Despite some early rumors that the Tigers *could* be swayed to move young starter Michael Fulmer, it sounds like that’s no longer the case:

As expected, the Tigers are taking a tough stance on Michael Fulmer, indicating to teams interested they will only entertain lopsided offers.

— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) December 13, 2017

And, frankly, I agree. Fulmer – a former Rookie of the Year, top ten Cy Young vote getter, and 2017 All Star – is entering his age-25 season, has FIVE more years of team control, and isn’t even arbitration eligible until 2019. Why on Earth would you trade that absent a ridiculous return? With Fulmer having elbow surgery in September (not Tommy John, but a three-to-four-month-recovery nerve procedure), you probably won’t get an absurd offer right now anyway. Even if you’re planning a deep rebuild, he could be a useful non-expensive starter near the end of it. Keep him, Detroit.

The Dodgers are literally perfect:

Farhan Zaidi: “We don’t have very clear needs.”

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) December 13, 2017

Or they’re really good and don’t want to exceed the luxury tax threshold by too much next season, especially in advance of a huge 2018-2019 free agent class, which includes an opt-out for their star generational player and franchise face Clayton Kershaw.

As the Reds continue to rebuild (or whatever it is they’re doing), they’ve drawn plenty of interest in closer Raisel Iglesias. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like anything is brewing …

Teams have stopped trying to get Raisel Iglesias. As expected price understandably high (but too rich for teams)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 13, 2017

And also unfortunatly, perhaps the same is true for the Cubs:

Cubs Theo Epstein said it is likely nothing more gets done fir his club at the meetings which end tomorrow. " That can change with one phone call"
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) December 13, 2017

But maybe that’ll change if the Cardinals keep making notable additions for 2018. I still think the Cubs are the better team, but I can’t say this didn’t make me squirm, at least for a minute:

Boston, New York (Yankees), St Louis and Chicago (White Sox) are the teams who have contacted the #Orioles about Machado.

— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) December 13, 2017

The Cardinals have something of a two-year window right now, with Marcell Ozuna in the fold (plus Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina still somewhat young enough to contribute). If they see an opportunity to regain the NL Central while the Cubs set their sights more seriously on 2019 and beyond (Bryce Harper), why wouldn’t they take it? And make no mistake, adding Manny Machado and Ozuna to that lineup, with a quality and deep rotation, makes them an immediate and serious contender. Hopefully, the Red Sox and/or Yankees, then, step up their pursuit and either force the Cardinals to WAY overpay for one year of a star or miss out all together.

written by

Michael Cerami

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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