Six MLB teams that will be most active at Winter Meetings

by | Nov 25, 2015

For MLB general managers, the best deals this holiday season reside in Nashville, TN — the site of the annual Winter Meetings from Dec. 6-10. Some will be more prone to shop around their assets than others. Here are the six clubs set to be wheeling and dealing with the greatest frequency.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers

Of all the buyers, here’s the one with the deepest pockets. But L.A.’s focus may hinge on what Zack Greinke does. The Dodgers’ stellar right-hander is undoubtedly commanding plenty of attention on the free agent market, with many teams (including their bitter rival to the north) making bids. Should Greinke depart, a gaping hole in the starting rotation needs to be filled. Regardless, you can expect team president Andrew Friedman to be in the running for more power in the lineup — especially if Yasiel Puig is traded. Count Jason Heyward among the top targets.

5. Detroit Tigers

After going through significant change over the course of the 2015 regular season, it only makes sense that even more alterations would be made during the off-season. If you don’t believe us, read what new GM Al Avila had to say. Should he be true to his word, the team will set out to nab a pair of starting arms along with at least one effective reliever. There’s good reason to try and improve in the pitching department: the Tigers ranked last in the AL in earned run average (4.64).

4. Atlanta Braves

The Tigers’ rebuilding plan is nothing compared to what the Braves have in store. Not only are they completely revamping the roster, but the franchise eventually will get a new home address by the start of 2017. Turner Field’s final season won’t be witness to much great talent, as Atlanta’s brass seems ready to ship off key pieces at a moment’s notice. Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Melvin Upton, Craig Kimbrel and (most recently) Andrelton Simmons have all departed the Braves within the past 12 months. Any good players still left should have their bags packed, just in case.

3. Seattle Mariners

Not waiting to negotiate face-to-face in Nashville, the Mariners got the hot stove cooking with a Nov. 5 in which they sent three (including first baseman Logan Morrison) to Tampa Bay for Nathan Karns and two others. One week later, another swap — with Joaquin Benoit traded to San Diego. And now, this bombshell:

There’s little reason to doubt this will be a major storyline over the next few weeks.

2. Chicago Cubs

Coming off a 97-win season and a trip to the NLCS with a roster full of young talent, the Cubs already have the pieces in place for a World Series run. But Theo Epstein isn’t one to just stand pat. He’s fully cognizant of the glaring holes made apparent in the postseason: pitching depth and defense. Adding a high-profile arm, perhaps David Price, to a rotation with the Cy Young Award winner could put the Cubs over the top in similar vein to when Theo and his Red Sox got Curt Schilling prior to ’04.

1. Boston Red Sox

Dave Dombrowski won’t enter his new job lightly. The recently-tabbed GM (after a successful tenure with the Detroit Tigers) is expected to forge a quick turnaround in Boston from a last-place finish in 2015. And based on his lengthy history as a deal-maker, it should be nothing he’s not used to. Pitching is certainly at the top of his wish list. They got their closer and now have plans for a No. 1 starter. Jordan Zimermmann, Zack Greinke and David Price would fit the mold. Getting a power hitter to eventually supplant the retiring David Ortiz is also key. Whoever Dombrowski goes after, he’ll have the resources (and the finances) to do it.