News and Notes: The Winter Meetings Have Begun

News and Notes for Monday, December 4th, 2023

MLB’s Winter Meetings have begun in Nashville, Tennessee. Predictably, Jerry DiPoto, GM of the Seattle Mariners, was part of the event’s first fireworks:

Jim Leyland, who was involved in my worst baseball memory, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Terry Pluto and Paul Hoynes offered some reflections yesterday prior to the Winter Meetings. Both made clear that it is very unlikely that the Guardians will do anything significant in signing free agents, but will try to improve their offense, especially in the outfield, via trades. Pluto estimates that they can probably count on $40 million from TV money in 2024 vs. the $60 million Bally’s was committed to pay them. He expects payroll to be around $89 million, if not lower, for the coming season. Seems to me that the Guardians will likely pull off some kind of trade, but I doubt that takes place before some bigger free agent and trade dominoes fall.

Meanwhile, Hoynes has begun laying the groundwork for the idea that Kyle Manzardo might not be ready for Opening Day. Sigh...

Reminder that we have offered a couple articles with names the Guardians could target in trades who wouldn’t significantly increase payroll, and Brandon Drury.

Milan Tolentino had a good night in the Mexican Fall League:

Johnathan Rodriguez made the Puerto Rican Winter League’s all-star team and went 0-2 in the All-Star game last night, and Brayan Rocchio had a pinch-hit single in Venezuela last night.

Willie Hood, of Next Year in Cleveland, wrote an interesting article about the impact of the Scott Barlow trade on the Guardians. Willie has promised an article about Rule 5 options today, so be sure to follow Next Year in Cleveland on Twitter for more updates.