The hot stove finally started to heat up this week, no doubt thanks to the GM Meetings. Here's a look at MLBTR's original content from the last seven days…
- Ben Nicholson-Smith was on location at the GM Meetings in Orlando, and he spoke to Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, Rays GM Andrew Friedman, Padres GM Jed Hoyer, and Pirates GM Neal Huntington. He also provided some general rumors and got quotes from Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski after they signed Joaquin Benoit.
- When he got back, Ben explained why small market teams time their free agent bids carefully.
- Tim Dierkes pointed out the great start the ACES Agency is off to this winter.
- Among the free agents whose stock we examined: Grant Balfour of the Rays, Scott Downs of the Blue Jays, Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks, and Victor Martinez of the Red Sox. We also looked at non-tender candidates Joel Zumaya of the Tigers and Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Padres.
- This week's polls included questions about Scott Downs' next contract and whether or not the Diamondbacks would trade Justin Upton.
- My amateur signing bonus series concluded with the Blue Jays and Nationals.
- Steve Adams listed the players that received bonuses based on regular season awards.
- I rounded up the best from the blogosphere in this week's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Tim's chat transcript can be found here.
- If you're new to the site, make sure you check out our team and transactions-only feeds, team Facebook pages, and then visit the MLBTR forums. Here's a handy guide on all the different ways you can use the site.
