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The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter or @MLBDailyDish on Instagram.
Good morning baseball fans! Welcome to the final day of the Winter Meetings. As if ish didn’t already go down yesterday, get ready for some last minute trades flying from all angles.
Here’s a roundup of everything going on in the American League East.
The Yankees have signed Aroldis Chapman to an absolutely absurd contract.
“One of the premier closers in the game has found a new home, and it’s one of his old homes. Aroldis Chapman has returned to the Yankees on a reported 5-year, $86 million contract, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports.
Chapman put up a 1.55 ERA in 59 games between the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs in 2016, saving 36 games while striking out 90 with just 18 walks in 58 innings.”
Today was the day of the pitcher, as the Mariners acquired Chris Heston.
“NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Giants have traded righty Chris Heston to the Mariners for a player to be named later, a source confirmed to SB Nation. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi was first on the news.”
Did we mention the importance of pitchers? The Nationals just parted with a bunch of their young prospects.
“NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The White Sox have traded outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals for minor-league pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports and Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago.
Washington has been aggressive so far at the Winter Meetings in their hometown, trying and failing to acquire ace Chris Sale as well as relievers Mark Melancon and Wade Davis. The Nats have expressed consistent interest in Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen for weeks, though the addition of Eaton will rule out that possibility.”
The Royals and Cubs said “trade ya” at the lunch table and swapped Soler for Davis.
“NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Cubs have acquired closer Wade Davis from the Royals for outfielder Jorge Soler, as first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN.com last night. The deal is official.
The Cubs were thought to be closing in on a deal early Tuesday night, but things cooled off a bit after the Nationals reportedly made a late push for Davis. Washington has been extremely active in trying to make moves this week, but appear to have lost out on Davis after already losing the Mark Melancon and Chris Sale sweepstakes during the Winter Meetings.”
The Rockies have signed Ian Desmond for a nice chunk of change.
“NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Rockies are in agreement on a 5-year, $70 million contract with Ian Desmond, as first reported by FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal. The deal includes a sixth-year option that could push its total value to $83 million.”
Speaking of the Rockies, word on the street is they are still interested in slugger Mark Trumbo.
“NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Rockies are still interested in free agent Mark Trumbo even after signing Ian Desmond, according to FOX’s Ken Rosenthal.
Trumbo, who is reportedly looking for an $80 million deal, has also been linked to the Orioles, Rangers, Indians and Mariners in recent days, with each club taking a turn in pole position. Seattle’s interest in overblown has been overblown, according to a baseball source, though the M’s cannot be ruled out at this point.”
Important Links:
MLB Injury Tracker
Offseason Trade Tracker
2016-17 Free Agent Tracker
2016 Winter Meetings Tracker
The Winter Meetings are upon us (and Baltimore). There will be plenty going down during a period of a lot of power in one hotel conference room. Like Game of Thrones but with less dragons and more loafers. Sound like something you’re into? We’ll have live Instagram stories and exclusive insight to keep you in the loop. Terrified you’ll miss something important? Better head on over to our Instagram, @MLBDailyDish to never miss an update or crabcake.
Today in baseball: On December 8th, 1980, the first major trade ever made at the annual winter meeting takes place in Dallas when Padres' reliever Rollie Fingers and Cardinals' catcher Terry Kennedy are the key players involved in an eleven-player swap. Funny how things change.