Winter Meetings In Review: American League

We covered the National League earlier, now it’s time to go over the American League’s activity at the winter meetings..

Angels:

• The Angels are prepared to move on from Zack Greinke and have cast a wide net in their search for another starter.  Edwin Jackson and Anibal Sanchez were among some of the names connected to the Halos, who also saw Dan Haren sign elsewhere.
• The Angels agreed to terms with righty Joe Blanton on a two-year, $15MM deal.
• Lefty Sean Burnett signed a two-year, $8MM deal with an option for a third year.

Astros:

• The Astros landed starter Alex White and minor leaguer Alex Gillingham in exchange for Wilton Lopez.
• Teams called the Astros on Bud Norris.
• Houston has been in touch with Lance Berkman.
  

Athletics:

• The A’s had discussions about Yunel Escobar before he was traded to Tampa Bay.
• They’re considering two free agent shortstops in Stephen Drew and Hiroyuki Nakajima.

Blue Jays:

• Toronto is speaking with the Mets about R.A. Dickey.
• The club could make Emilio Bonifacio available.
• The Blue Jays claimed catcher Eli Whiteside off waivers from the Yankees.

Indians:

• The Indians discussed a multi-team trade that would send Justin Upton to the Rangers.
• Stephen Drew is a possibility if they deal Asdrubal Cabrera.  They want four prospects in exchange for the shortstop.
• The Tribe met with Mark Reynolds and are in pursuit of Kevin Youkilis.

Mariners:

• The M’s are making a serious run at Josh Hamilton and are discussing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $20-$25MM.
• Jason Bay agreed to a one-year, $1MM deal.  He can earn another $2MM in incentives.
• Seattle is very interested in Dee Gordon of the Dodgers.
• The Mariners were linked to a number of free agents including third baseman Kevin Youkilis and outfielder Raul Ibanez.
• An extension for Felix Hernandez is unlikely.

Orioles:

• The O’s found their leftfielder in Nate McLouth.  They offered Nate Schierholtz before inking McLouth to a one-year pact.
• Baltimore signed Adam Russell to a minor league deal.
• The O’s would like to retain Mark Reynolds but there’s tons of competition for him.

Rangers:

• The Rangers are pursuing Zack Greinke and Josh Hamilton but they’re not going to sign both.  It would appear that Greinke is their priority at the moment.
• The Rangers signed Joakim Soria to be their set-up man behind Joe Nathan.  Soria gets a two-year, $8MM deal with a club option for 2015.
• The Phillies and Rangers are getting closer to a deal involving Michael Young and are waiting on Young to waive his no-trade clause.
• The Rangers worked hard on a multi-team deal that would have them landing Justin Upton, but it hasn’t gone down yet.
• Teams are contacting the Rangers about Derek Holland.
• Texas signed reliever Evan Meek, starter Randy Wells, first baseman Brandon Allen, and starter Jake Brigham to minor league deals.

Rays:

• The Rays got themselves a shortstop when they traded infield prospect Derek Dietrich to the Marlins for Yunel Escobar.
• The Rays signed first baseman James Loney to a one-year deal.
• They avoided arb with Sean Rodriguez.
• The Rays still have a surplus of starting pitching and a trade is increasingly likely.  The Nats are among the teams that like James Shields. 
• They discussed Danny Espinosa and Mike Morse with Washington as well, but those talks didn’t amount to a trade.
• Tampa Bay has interest in the Braves’ Juan Francisco.

Red Sox:

• Boston made the first big splash at the meetings when they inked Mike Napoli to a three-year, $39MM pact.
• Shane Victorino signed a three-year, $39MM deal with Boston.  Victorino had a .255/.321/.383 line for the Dodgers and Phillies last year.
• The Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal with reliever Koji Uehara.

Royals:

• The Royals want a frontline starter but are looking at Jair Jurrjens and other backup options if they miss out.  KC made a two-year, $26MM offer to Ryan Dempster but he turned them down.
• Kansas City is open to moving Billy Butler or Wil Myers for the right deal.

Tigers:

• The Tigers got catcher Ramon Cabrera from the Pirates for lefty Andrew Oliver.

Twins:

• Minnesota got quite a haul for Ben Revere: starter Vance Worley and prospect Trevor May.
• The Twins called the O’s about Justin Morneau.
• Jared Burton got a two-year, $5.5MM extension with a club option for 2015.

White Sox:

• The White Sox gave Jeff Keppinger a three-year, $12MM deal.
• Phil Humber was claimed by the Astros.
  

Yankees:

• Kevin Youkilis got a one-year, $12MM offer from the Bombers.
• The Yanks are listening to offers on Curtis Granderson, Phil Hughes, and Ivan Nova.
• They’re insured for most of Alex Rodriguez’s contract.