Author: Zachary Links

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.

Here’s a look back at what went down during the Winter Meetings in the National League..

Braves:

• If the Braves add an outfielder and move Martin Prado to third base, they could trade Juan Francisco.
• The Braves have interest in Emilio Bonifacio and have learned that he could be available.
• The Braves signed Reed Johnson to a one-year deal.
• Atlanta exercised their option on manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Brewers:

• The Brewers have considered the idea of trading Corey Hart. 
• Milwaukee likes Ryan Dempster but won’t go to three years for him. 
• They’ve been in contact with the Rangers about Derek Holland.
• The Brewers were one of several teams to be in on Jason Grilli.

Cardinals:

• The Cards signed lefty reliever Randy Choate to a three-year, $7.5MM deal.
• St. Louis was rumored to be in on Marco Scutaro before he signed with the Giants but their interest may have been overstated.
• The Cardinals and infielder Skip Schumaker are open to a trade.
  

Cubs:

• Chicago entered the Jason Grilli sweepstakes and are interested in Mark Reynolds.
• The Cubs were in on Jeff Keppinger and Eric Chavez before they signed with the White Sox and Diamondbacks, respectively.
• A reunion with Ryan Dempster appears unlikely.
• On Wednesday, the Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with Nate Schierholtz.
• The Cubs re-signed Ian Stewart to a non-guaranteed deal.

Diamondbacks:

• The Diamondbacks’ are discussing blockbuster deals with several teams involving Justin Upton.  Several three- and four-team possibilities have been talked about with the Rangers, Indians, and Rays in the mix.
• The D’Backs are also talking about trading Jason Kubel.  The Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Rangers, Rays and Mariners could all be in on Kubel.
• Arizona checked in with the Mets on R.A. Dickey.
• Arizona inked Eric Chavez and catcher Wil Nieves.

Dodgers:

• The Dodgers were long considered the frontrunners for Zack Greinke but are considering pulling out and moving on to other pursuits.
• The Indians and Mariners like Dee Gordon.
• Ned Colletti & Co. are still working to hammer out a deal with Ryu Hyun-Jin.
• There were no takers for Juan Uribe.

Giants:

• Second baseman Marco Scutaro agreed to a three-year, $20MM deal.
• The Giants inked Angel Pagan to a four-year, $40MM contract.  The center fielder ranked 11th on MLBTR’s list of this winter’s top 50 free agents.
• The Giants exercised options on Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean.

Marlins:

• Yunel Escobar was shipped to the Rays for middle infield prospect Derek Dietrich.
• The Marlins are interested in the Braves’ Francisco.
• The Marlins told teams that Ricky Nolasco is staying put.
• Miami is one of five clubs with genuine interest in Jack Hannahan.

Mets:

• The Mets finalized their extension with third baseman David Wright, their only major action of the week.  The deal gives him seven years and $122MM in new money, which can be considered an eight-year, $138MM deal if the value of Wright’s previously-exercised 2013 club option is included.
• The Mets are trying to hammer out a contract extension with R.A. Dickey while also listening to offers from interested clubs.  The sticking point appears to be dollars rather than years between the two sides.  
• Miguel Olivo will be at the top of their list if they pursue a catcher.
• The Mets and Scott Hairston are optimistic that a deal can be worked out.

Nationals:

• Dan Haren agreed to a one-year, $13MM deal.  The signing likely took them out of the mix for  Greinke.
• The Nats remain confident on Adam LaRoche.  The club is pushing for a two-year deal while LaRoche wants three.
• Mike Morse could be moved if they re-sign LaRoche.
• The Nats were in contact with the Rays about their starters prior to signing Haren.
• On Monday they re-signed Zach Duke and signed Bill Bray.
  

Phillies:

• The Phillies acquired outfielder Ben Revere from the Twins in exchange for starting pitcher Vance Worley and pitching prospect Trevor May.  Revere, 24, hit .294/.333/.342 in 553 plate appearances for the Twins this year.
• The Phillies are also working on a deal for the Rangers‘ Michael Young.  Young has a no-trade clause and is currently weighing his options.
• The Phillies are interested in Raul Ibanez along with two other teams and are still in the mix for Scott Hairston.

Pirates:

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

Reds:

• The Reds have a two-year offer out to Ryan Ludwick and are waiting on an answer.
• The Reds have spoken with Homer Bailey about a contract extension, and they plan to do the same with Mat Latos.

Rockies:

• Colorado agreed to a one-year deal with Jeff Francis.
• The Rockies acquired Wilton Lopez and a player to be named later or cash from the Astros for starter Alex White and minor leaguer Alex Gillingham.
• The Rockies are likely to get additional pitching via trade.
  

Padres:

• The Pads aren’t likely to work out an extension with Chase Headley.
• Jason Marquis agreed to a one-year, $3MM deal.
• The Padres called the Indians regarding both Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez.