We’ve already seen quite a few instances of Major League needs being satisfied with some Hot Stove spending or swapping — the most prominent move being the Red Sox’s $217 million outlay for David Price to be their ace. But with the Winter Meetings set to begin Monday in Nashville, Tenn., and several big free-agent fish and notable trade targets still being discussed, these are the 10 biggest needs still yet to be met.
Rays DFA Butler to make room for Conger
The Rays have designated outfielder Joey Butler for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for catcher Hank Conger, whom they acquired from the Astros for cash considerations Wednesday night.
Non-tender players can have big impact
Non-tendered players have rarely gone on to stardom, but many have provided value to the clubs that subsequently picked them up. So who among this year’s crop of non-tenders has the best chance to excel in 2016? Let’s take a look.
Southpaw Lee reportedly given OK to throw
Left-hander Cliff Lee, who missed all of 2015 with an elbow injury, received medical clearance and has been throwing, according to reports.
Padres reportedly pushing to trade Shields
Pitcher James Shields spent Tuesday in San Diego modeling some of the team’s new uniforms for 2016.But will Shields actually be wearing a Padres uniform in the upcoming season?
Royals do not tender contract to Holland
As expected, the Royals did not tender a contract to Greg Holland, who had Tommy John surgery in early October and will miss the 2016 season.
Timing was right for Red Sox to secure Price
The fact that the Red Sox are ready to sign David Price to a record-setting contract for a pitcher (seven years, $217 million pending a physical) demonstrates more than a desire to get out of last place in the American League East and an admission that going into 2015 without an ace wasn’t good for business.
Torre, Winfield, big leaguers to visit Cuba
Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) will embark on an historic goodwill tour in Cuba from Dec. 15-18. Hall of Famers Joe Torre, MLB’s Chief Baseball Officer, and Dave Winfield, the MLBPA’s Special Advisor to the Executive Director, will be joined by a group of current Major League players, who will be announced at a later date.
Non-tendered players hit free-agent market
Major League clubs faced difficult decisions leading up to Wednesday’s deadline to tender contracts for the 2016 season to arbitration-eligible players, a process that saw a number of players let go by their organization.
Reports: Navarro, White Sox agree on one-year deal
Veteran catcher Dioner Navarro is reportedly returning to Chicago, this time to the South Side as a complement to the recently signed Alex Avila.
5 reasons Gordon is a highly valued free agent
Though he may get overshadowed by a few more high-profile names, Alex Gordon is without a doubt one of the top position players available on this offseason’s free-agent market.
Minor headed to free agency
The Braves are not expected to tender contracts to lefty Mike Minor or infielder Pedro Ciriaco before Wednesday’s 11:59 p.m. ET deadline to do so. Atlanta is, however, expected to tender contracts to each of its other arbitration-eligible players — Shelby Miller, Chris Withrow and Arodys Vizcaino.
Why the Angels need Heyward more than any other team
Every team should want Jason Heyward. Only one team will get him, and there’s ample evidence that says that the best fit is with the Angels, a win-now team who badly needs a youthful injection of talent in the outfield.
Padres non-tender Middlebrooks
The Padres non-tendered three players Wednesday, including third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who was the team’s 2015 Opening Day starter.
Alvarez, Decker non-tendered by Pirates
Before Wednesday’s deadline, the Pirates did not tender a contract to Pedro Alvarez, parting ways with the player they selected second overall in the 2008 Draft. The club also non-tendered outfielder Jaff Decker.
Carter sent to free agency; Conger traded
The Astros non-tendered slugger Chris Carter prior to Wednesday’s deadline to offer him salary arbitration, making him a free agent.
Shore thing: NJ lefty No. 1 on Top 50 Draft list
Six months prior to the 2016 Draft, the class is beginning to take shape. MLBPipeline.com’s Top 50 Draft Prospects list reflects what that class looks like at present, led by four pitchers — New Jersey prep lefty Jason Groome, Florida southpaw A.J. Puk and right-handers Alec Hansen of Oklahoma and Riley Pint of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kansas.