MLB winter meetings rumor roundup: Can Red Sox nab both Eric Hosmer, J.D. Martinez?
With significant action expected at Major League Baseball's winter meetings, USA TODAY Sports breaks down the latest rumblings from the hot stove. Check back often right here for the latest from our reporters and other media sources from Lake Buena Vista, Fla.:
Red Sox aiming for Hosmer-Martinez double?
The winter meetings lurched toward a conclusion with dozens of issues unsettled - not surprising, given the late start to the market. And it's possible two non-developments could add up to one significant haul:
Eric Hosmer and J.D. Martinez still need homes.
The Boston Red Sox still have holes to fill and money to spend.
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And the Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox may have room for both the smooth-fielding first baseman and slugging outfielder.
It would require a total financial outlay in excess of $250 million, and would represent a package deal of sorts in that Hosmer and Martinez are both represented by agent Scott Boras.
Working in the Red Sox's favor: A possibly limited market for both. Martinez will find interest from his most recent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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But the St. Louis Cardinals' trade for Marcell Ozuna eliminates one bidder. The San Francisco Giants still have a glaring need for an outfielder and a power bat, but might be better-served filling multiple needs with the $150 million-plus Martinez figures to command.
And looming over it all is the star-studded 2018 free agent class, which may compel big-market spenders to hold their cards (and manage their luxury-tax liability) until Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and others come online one year from now.
As for Hosmer? He has already met with the San Diego Padres, who may cut him a big check in their search for a glue guy and left-handed bat.
Orioles holding biggest card: Manny Machado
As the Rule 5 draft concluded and executives prepared to leave the Disney compound, the Baltimore Orioles confronted reality: That trading one of the top five players in the game might be best for their future.
With reasonably-priced pitchers slipping off the market and, so far, none coming their way in trade, the Orioles generated significant momentum to deal Manny Machado, their three-time All-Star third baseman.
As GM Dan Duquette held court Thursday morning, the possibilities remained endless: Trade Machado to the Chicago White Sox, who'd hope to re-sign him? Perhaps even the dreaded rival New York Yankees?
And should they move Machado, what, then, is the counter-move? The Machado saga roiled the industry as the meetings drew to a close:
The White Sox are the biggest surprises in this derby, and they'd be taking a calculated risk dealing one of their top pitching prospects, such as Michael Kopech or Lucas Giolito, to obtain Machado. The Chicago Tribune termed their offer "impressive."
The White Sox won't be granted a chance to talk to Machado before any deal.
Cardinals deal Stephen Piscotty to A's
The long-awaited trade is done. With Marcell Ozuna aboard, the St. Louis Cardinals have unloaded Stephen Piscotty to Oakland. The Cardinals will receive minor-league infielders Yairo Munoz and Max Schrock.
Angels not done
They have a new two-way star and second baseman. Now, what about the hot corner? GM Billy Eppler has options.
Should Eppler not want to sacrifice prospects, there's an easily-convertible option on the free agent market that shouldn't cost more than the $13.5 million due Headley.
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