Winter Meetings Day 1 recap
The winter meetings are an annual event in the baseball world (in years not affected by the Covid-19 pandemic at least), where agents, players, and GM’s convene in a hotel lobby for about half a week and get trades and signings accomplished. It is generally the busiest time of the offseason and we got some big news to start the meetings off from yesterday.
Justin Verlander to the New York Mets
You can’t mention Verlander to the Mets without mentioning that before the meetings started Mets ace Jacob DeGrom signed with Verlander’s former division rival the Texas Rangers. DeGrom left New York in hopes of securing a long-term deal, something the 34-year-old got when he signed for five years, $185 million to call Arlington his home. Now with an open spot at the top of the rotation, Mets owner Steve Cohen threw Verlander a two-year $86.66 million contract with an option for a third year. Verlander is coming off an AL Cy Young season, and despite his 40th birthday approaching before the start of next season, he hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Trea Turner to the Philadelphia Phillies
The reigning NL champs just got even better as they’ve signed arguably the best shortstop in baseball to an 11-year, $300 million contract. Turner, 29, is reunited with former Washington Nationals teammate Bryce Harper and will give the Phillies a great speedster and contact bat. Last year, Turner stole 27 bases, and that number could jump through the roof with the new rules in 2023 to promote more steals.
The contract includes a full no-trade clause and is an exciting start to the shortstop market.
It’s been reported that Turner picked the Phillies over the San Diego Padres (the team who initially drafted him), who offered him a larger, $342 million contract which would’ve been the biggest contract ever given to an infielder, beating Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor’s $341 million contract.
Turner signing with the Phillies also makes my prediction come true, which is pretty cool for me.
Rumors
heading into day 2 there were many rumors regarding players like Aaron Judge, who looks to either be a San Francisco Giant or stay a New York Yankee by the end of the week.
Another big rumor had been regarding Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy being traded, potentially to the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, or Cleveland Guardians.
Another rumor, this one regarding shortstops, shows the Chicago Cubs looking to sign either Carlos Correa or Dansby Swanson.
We also know the Twins have met with Correa, Xander Bogearts, and Carlos Rodon, the latter most also drawing attention from the Baltimore Orioles among other teams.
As we get through the rest of the winter meetings the stove will only get hotter, but these stories are some of the biggest from day 1.
