It's that time of year. We are all prepping madly for the holiday season. We're fighting for the playoffs in fantasy football. We're getting fired up to talk some baseball.

The 2015 Winter Meetings in Nashville started Sunday night, and thanks to Fantasy Alarm I'm there, on the scene, taking it all in for the next couple of days. Don't know if I'll be able to break any news, but I'll have my antennae up and listening for anything that might be intriguing. I'll post what I hear, lend some random thoughts along the way and hopeful entertain as well as inform you in what follows.

FOR MORE ON ALL THE SIGNINGS BE SURE TO VISIT OUR  2016 MLB FREE AGENT TRACKER PAGE. 

Oh, and you can always check out my Twitter account too for really interesting stuff. I know, I like myself. Sue me. 

Sunday 7-9 PM

Was able to attend the MILB Awards Dinner. Classy event. True energy in the room. Palpable. 

Chicken dinner. Blah.

I want to thank Garry Green and Martie Cordaro of the Omaha Storm Chasers for allowing me to dine with them. Thank you. 

Ran into Steve Phillips after the meal. You can hear he and I on a Winter Meetings Special Tuesday night, 8-10 PM EDT on Sirius 210, XM 87, 

The highlight of the event was likely an emotional Mike Hessman that broke down and sobbed on stage before being able to gety any of his thanks out as he was awarded the Career Achievement Award. 

There is also a Winter Meetings Twitter account. Make sure to give it a follow.

 

MONDAY

7:00 AM - I'm a night person living a morning person's life. Don't like it. At least the water in the shower is warm, though the nozzle is about at my chin. I'm about 6'4" for those of you that don't know. 

7:30 AM - Headed over to hotel to check in. 

8:15 AM - I'm the only one not drinking coffee in the enitie lobby.

Interesting really... the minor league presence is much heavier than the big league one. Kudos to MLB for fully welcoming in the minor league organizations.

Oh, and I'm officially the coolest kid on the street. Look what I just picked up.

8:30 AM - MLB Network getting ready to fire up their show in the lobby.

9:15 AM - The first Red Bull appears. Oddly, it's not mine. It's healthy though... it's the sugar free model. 

9:20 AM - Media room starting to fill up. Second Red Bull spotted. I'm still sugar and caffeine free. Yeah, don't know why. 

--- TRADE UPDATE --- 

The are sending two prospects to for Aroldis Chapman.
***READ MORE BELOW FOR AN UPDATE. THE DEAL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED.
No word yet on the prospects (Chapman is a free agent after the year so the Dodgers won't be sending any of their elite prospects like Corey Seager or Julio Urias), but Ken Rosenthal says plan is for the Dodgers to keep both Chapman and Kenley Jansen in an attempt to offset sky high prices of starting pitchers. I get it. The best righty-lefty bullpen combo in baseball was just formed and it's easily defendable that there have never, in the history of this game, been two more dominating arms lined up to pitch the 8th and 9th innings. The question is, what will the order be? Early thoughts have Jansen moving to set-up but you can't think he would enjoy that after dominating in the 9th inning. 

9:50 AM - Bobby Cox to my right. About 15 feet away. Don't want to get too close. He might start yelling at me hoping I will eject him. Awful attempt at humor. Maybe I do need a Red Bull. 

10:00 AM - "No candidates from the 2016 Pre-Integration Era Committee ballot earned election to the Hall of Fame." coop.bb/VzR2P 

10:15 AM - The internet in here is worse than the signals I used to steal from hotel parking lots 15 years ago. I'm not to proud to admit to stealing wifi from a Hooters in Florida... from the parking lot behind the eatery. Actually, it was right near the dumpster. #ClassPersonified

10:35 AM - Overheard Mark Sheldon talking to a co-worker. Heard "Chapman." Tried to listen, couldn’t really hear, and thought I probably shouldn’t be listening too closely since I don’t want to get kicked out of my first Winter Meetings for poaching a story. Seems like he might have an inkling of who the Dodgers are getting in the deal. Heard him also say that the physicals are still needed which is something he also tweeted out. 

11:00 AM - It's cold in here. I have no vodka Red Bull. I mean vodka, Wait, I mean Red Bull. I have no food. The internet is working tremendously slowly. I still have the #BestJobInTheWorld.

11:10 AM - Ran into Corey Schwartz of MLB.com. Nicest guy. Wide range of topics we discussed too.

11:30 AM - On escaltor behind Harold Reynolds. He's in sweats and tennis shoes. He was just on air too. Living the dream he is. I'm taller than him too. By a lot.

11:50 AM - Strong female presence at the meetings. Really nice to see. Hearing from industry folks that there are massive amounts of young applicants looking for gigs in professional baseball. I don't usually feel old, my friends know I'll go to a bar/club even if I'm the oldest one there by 10 years, but I gotta tell there is a lot of young blood in the lobby. 

12:05 PM – Ian Browne, who covers the Red Sox, is sitting in front of me. You think he would turn around and say hello if I tweeted him and asked him to turn around?

Just cause... Billy Hamilton hit .344 and tole 914 bases in his career. No not the #reds OF, the other guy.

12:25 PM - Off to grab some food and to see if I can located a Red Bull. 

12:40 PM - Spoke to Joel Henard and his boys in the lobby before sitting down for a few with Eno Sarris. 

Just reviewin my own tweets (I'm vain). Here is one I'm particularly proud of. 

"You know you're at the #WinterMeetings when guys are on their cellphones in the restroom."

1:20 PM - Teams continue to pile up in the chase for Scott Kazmir with the Pirates the latest team known to have interest. He is using the 3/$45M deal of Hisashi Iwakuma as the floor for expecations according to reports. He's an interesting case. Really good the last two seasons but his production hsa totally been built on the first half as he's stunk in the second half. I'd be very careful signing him to a big money deal... if any of you real world GM's are reading this. 

1:25 PM - Hearing no real scuttlebutt in the lobby. Certainly nothing that would shake up a fantasy squad. What that obviously means is that we're on the cusp of something huge happening. 

1:35 PM - I finally go in search of food. I fully expect the signing of the century to occur in the next 20 minutes. 

2:00 PM - On my way back from grabbing a slice, Ken Rosenthal was furiously working his phone before going on air.

2:03 PM - I was right. All hell broke loose when I got my slice (not a bad slice either. Deep dish even.) 

UPDATE --- Mark Sheldon is reporting that Chapman to the Dodgers is NOT done. In fact, he's hearing that the trade involves other teams. This would be a shocker after what we all heard and believed to have been a done deal.

2:10 PM - The Red Sox have shipped RHP Jonathan Aro and LHP Wade Miley to Seattle for RHP Carson Smith and LHP Roenis Elias.

Smith is a big armed reliever who had 13 saves last season and one who strikes out 11.7 batters per nine. Elias may not be as talented as Miley but he's actually a pretty fair comparison. Here are the numbers which on the surface...

Miley: 3.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.5 K/BB
Elias: 4.23 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.2 K/BB

Huge financial savings for the Sox too with those top-2 hurlers (Miley is due $14.75 million the next two years with a $12 million option of $500,000 buyout in the third year).
 

2:15 PM - Really interesting. Sitting in the media room with all the professionals. The deal with Sox and Mariners goes down. A couple of writers start trying to figure out who Carson Smith really is. One says 'he throws hard.' The other is feverishly working on his laptop to pull up stats on Baseball Reference. After reading the page I then hear - that guy is --- "filthy." This is a stupid trade for the Mariners.' I hesitate to say what I'm really thinking, but the I remember I built my career on always being honest. I know who Carson Smith is. I know he has a big arm and throws hard. I don't need a website to tell me that. Of course, I'm "only" a fantasy guy so what do I know. 

2:23 PM - Jayson Stark, who might be the tallest of the short baseball guys - he could stand 5'9" - is reoprting that a fifth of the teams in baseball are interested in Jose Ferandez. Here is his tweet. 

2:30 PM - Kevin Cash and Dave Roberts go on in an hour. The tension is palpable. 

No pictures yet, so in honor of the hotel (you can see more pics below) and the holidays...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2:59 PM - Cal Ripken walked by... I got tingly like Chris Matthews for President Obama. 

 

3:05 PM - Cal Ripken joining the commisioner's office. Here he is being introduced by Rob Manfred. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3:25 PM - New Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts is still fast like he was in his playing days. Look, he even left a streak in the picture (back to us). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I swear Im a decent photographer. These damn cell phones just stink. They don't work at all as phones either. When was the last time you had a clear conversation on one? The only thing they are good for is drunk texting and Tinder.

3:30 PM - I think I should attened this event tomm, don't you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4:00 PM - Dave Roberts likes Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4:10 PM - Jon Heyman is reporting the following. "Marlins said to be seeking "5 or 6" great young players in trade for Jose Fernandez, one GM says. Many "MLB ready too." I need to know who the players are of course, but that seems absurd on the surface to me. It sounds like one of those deals where I castigate someone on the radio, doesn't it? There seems to be a buzz about Fernandez being dealt. Where there's smoke, there'e fire?

4:13 PM - Bob Nightengale drops a bomb on Tigers fans with the following. "Tigers GM Al Avila tells Detroit reporters that they are out of Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon talks." I'm really interested to see where Cespedes ends up. I know he was great for the Mets but I fear many don't realize that he's not that much better than the Jay Bruce / Mark Trumbo's of the world. He's more talented for sure, but I wouldn't be giving him $120 million given his skills and track record of ill health. 

4:18 PM - Still no clarity on the proposed Chapman to Dodgers report from earlier. We are all still in limbo and it seems at this point that quite a few people in this room are a bit confused as to what is going on. 

4:30 PM - So I'm on reporters row. Hundreds of spots here with folks pounding away at the keyboard. Just realized that I'm not in the VIP room to the right. Then I noticed the sign that reads "MLB.com Writers Room." I wonder what happens behing the curtain? 

Speaking of reporters, I'm loving the mix. Sussan Slusser, if I'm not mistaken, is rocking the faux fur to stay warm. Andrew McCullough is rocking the honkey tonk / Elvis Costello look. Another writer, who I won't name, looks like he just rolled out of bed. I'm writing this at 4:30 PM mind you. Some have ties. Some have jeans. Some have suits. Some have skirts. Way more diverse room than many likely think it is. 

5:03 PM - I still don't have my Red Bull, or my vodka. I think I'm grabbing an Irish Coffee tonight. Seems about right. 

5:04 PM - Lobby is buzzing. Tons of energy, people running around on cell phones. Lots of youthful energy. Even from old people, like me. 

5:23 PM - Tigers manager Brad Ausmus answers a dumb question in a funny way. 

5:26 PM - Paul Molitor is nearly accosted by three men looking for his autograph. The youngest was about 35. Seriously. 

5:31 PM - I hand a craft beer off to Eno Sarris from Joel H. 

5:32 PM - I have a breath mint.

5:37 PM - I note my left ankle is sore.

5:38 PM - I get a text. I don't read it.

5:39 PM - I realize I've posted three notes no one cares about in succession. Maybe five if you don't know Eno (you can see his great curly hair in the photo posted along with the Ausmus answer above). 

Who has better hair - me or Rockies' manager Walt Weiss?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5:49 PM - Jon Heyman is reporting that 15 teams are interested in Cliff Lee. In a world where Mike Pelfrey can get $16 million... why not? 

6:06 PM - Things are slowing down in the buidling, but the media room is as busy as it has been all day. Assuming everyone is filing their stories. 

6:40 PM - Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Jose Fernandez will not be traded after Marlins' Michael Hill President said he wouldn't be. Guess that puts and end to that, or does it?

7:01 PM - Sounds like both Kris Bryant and Maikel Franco are going after their teams with service time greivances. Of course they were both left in the minors in order to save their clubs money in the long run. Duh. I don't get what their real bone of contention is (it's not like MLB doesn't have a kickass player's union). This is how the game works as teams try to keep costs under control, at least a little bit. Jeff Passan has more. 

7:07 PM - Slow end to the day. The Champan trade is still on hold and no other deals shook the earth (sorry Wade M.). There also weren't any earth shattering deals either. Tuesday is gonna be big, I can feel it. 

7:16 PM - After no Red Bull and just two granola bars and one slice of pizza I need some food. I also need a foot massage, maybe a nice bubble bath too. I'm betting I won't get either of those last two, but there's a chance I might just find that Red Bull. 

Late night updates...

8:48 PM - We might know at least part of the reason that the Aroldis Champman to Dodgers deal is on hold. Unfortuantely it involves a case of domestic violence. Here is a quote from the Yahoo Sports article. This event occured after the alleged domestic abuse.

Chapman then said he retrieved the handgun from the glove compartment and locked himself in garage alone. “He then shot several shots inside the garage and threw his pistol away inside the garage,” the report said.

That does not sound like a stable individual to me.

Any trade of the dominating reliever could now be on hold for weeks. 

9:21 PM - Sounds like while it's still unlikely, the Marlins could be closing in on a deal sending out of town their ace, Jose Fernandez. Read the notes frmo Buster Olney and Jayson Stark.

 

TUESDAY

Don't forget to catch me and Steve Phillips tonight from 8-10 EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. We are going to break down all the action at the Winter Meetings for two full hours. Tune in at Sirius 210, XM 87. 

8:45 AM - Walked in to see the rotund Tommy Lasorda with a crowd around him signing autograhs. 

9:25 AM - Joel Sherman is reporting that Jedd Gyorko is headed to the Cardinals in a breaking story. Gyorko has 4-years, $33 million left on his contract, so unless Padres ate a lot of salary they aren't likely to be getting much back in return. 

9:28 AM - Hearing a rumor that Jon Jay is in the Gyorko trade.

9:30 AM - Keith Law is reporting that Jay is indeed in the deal with Gyorko.

9:33 AM - Now we are finally cooking. The Rockies made two moves to strengthen a weakness, their bullpen. Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Chad Qualls will reecieve $6 million and Jason Motte $10 million from the Rocks. Both men received two year deals. Qualls has closed a bit here and there, but it's his 55+ percent ground ball rate that will play in Coors. Motte is the reverse as he's a big time fly ball guy so it remains to be seen just how effective he will be at Coors (0.90 GB/FB for his career). 

9:44 AM - Joel Sherman confirming the deal is Jon Jay for Jedd Gyorko.

The natural question becomes - does this deal mean that the Cards current second sacker, Kolten Wong, is going to be shipped out in another deal? Jay is just a guy. A "professional hitter" who is capable of an extended role, he's best used in a platoon situation. Rumors here suggest that the Padres could be looking to deal many, including Matt Kemp, so keep an eye on this situation as Jay might end up in a platoon or starting consistently in 2016. UPDATE ON $ from Ken Rosenthal. "Gyorko owed $33M. #STLCards taking on $26M. Not including Jay’s salary, #Padres save nearly $20M over next four years"

9:45 AM - Sounds like the current plan is for Gyorko to be a super utility in 2016. 

9:47 AM - You hear mor f-bombs than one would think in the media room.

9:51 AM - Jayson Stark suggesting that the Dodgers attempted deal for Aroldis Chapman should just stop. He's hearing that Jansen was crushed by the news. Of course, that's one side of the story. The other is - how can yoyu trust a guy who is seemingly violent to the extreme? I mean really, even people that own guns, do you fire your gun into your garage wall? Not stable from the sound of is is Chapman.

9:55 AM - For those who followed yesterday, thank you. For those who wondered yesterday after following, yes, I did get my Irish Coffee. 

10:03 AM - Shawn Kelley is headed to the Nationals (terms unknown). He struck out well more than a batter per inning last year to augment a 2.45 ERA. The Nats are rumored to be interested in dealing either one or both of Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon, so there working to shore up that area. Solid signing pending outcome of the dollars. 

10:08 AM - Room seems way more intense today. A few more bodies in here than at same time yesterday as well. 

10:12 AM - Very quiet on free agents Yoenis Cespedes and Johnny Cueto. Not hearing anything on either man at the moment. Speaking of nothing... it's a ghost town around Ian Desmond. Something floating around about him willing to play positions other than shortstop about all there is. The former 20/20 might have to take an extreme discount or play the waiting game hoping that someone gets nervous after missing out on their prime targets. 

10:20 AM - Thanks to Howard Bender for cleaning up my atrocious typing. I'm telling you, without my slippers and copious amounts of Red Bull I'm totally being lackadasical. Is that how you spell it? [Editor's Note: It wasn't, but it is now fixed] I'm too lazy to even look it up.

10:29 AM - Just got back from the bathroom. Won't go into detail about that, but I did notice something. Well, two things. (1) I looked in myself in the mirror and I look really good today. (2) I noticed I have one long hair on the top of my head. I'm challenged up there for those of you that don't know. That means most my hairs are 1/4 inch long. That one hair is about 1/2 an inch. Where are my clippers when I need them?

10:37 AM - Jon Heyman was told that 36 year old Johan Santana would like to continue his career. I give him full marks for continuing to try and make a go of it, but Johan, you're done. You have about as much chance of returning to prominance as I do going out tonight in a cowboy hat and boots. I would look good if I did, but I won't. I might get another Irish Coffee though.

10:47 AM - Sitting next to Rob Bradford. Nice fella. 

10:48 AM - Realizing I should have worn more confortable shoes. Just don't know if it's advisable to take them off in the media room.Speaking of that, how epic would it have been if I brought my slippers?

10:50 AM - I want to thank the Alarm crew for helping to get me here. We all work really hard, and while this certainly brings value, I think they also sent me to say thanks for the hard work, so thanks back fellas.

10:51 AM - I reallly wish I had my mouse right now. This computer bad things is annoying as all get out. 

10:52 AM - What a life everyone in this room leads. You can see the joy on many folks faces which is neat. Forty-five year olds still enjoying what they do, covering the game that they love. I mean, really. I'm in Nashville, covering baseball for a living. How amazing is that? It took forever to get here, this is my 15th year doing this full-time and first time at the meetings, but it was worth the wait.

10:53 AM - Just remembered. I'm off to San Diego this coming weekend for the Fanduel Fantasy Football Championship. Covering sports in San Diego, now that is one hell of a pull isn't it? I'm taking a bathing suit and I know I will get a Red Bull or two with my man, Jeff Mans.

11:07 AM - The lull before the storm? I can feel something coming.

11:08 AM - One thing that is coming is the 2016 FantasyAlarm Baseball Draft Guide. I've already started cranking out articles, and this event is stoking the fire even more. Don't hold me to it, but January 18th seems like the target date for the online guide. I think it will be #Epic this year. Gonna be really something. 

11:11 AM - Brewers' GM David Sterns just said he is listening but he has no intention of trading away Jonathan Lucroy, so there's that. 

11:19 AM - Sounds like Twins have no intention of moving Trevor Plouffe unless blown away. He remind me of a Casey Blake type. Not going to light the world on fire by any means, but consistently productive with the twig in his hands. 

11:22 AM - Direct from Ken Rosenthal. "Sources: #Orioles among teams trying to trade for #Brewers’ Adam Lind or #Rangers’ Mitch Moreland. Also inquired on #Braves’ Shelby Miller, but no match." Would a deal for one of those corner infielders mean Chris Davis wouldn't be back? Seems likely. Don't forget the Orioles recently added Mark Trumbo to give them an option at first (though he can also play the outfield of course). Both Lind and Moreland are capable of doing the old .275-25-75 thing, but both also need to be platooned and offer nowhere near the upside of Davis. Of course, they will both make a pittance compared to Davis. 

11:27 AM - According to this tweet, Gyorko seems to be excited about going to the Cardinals. 

11:30 AM - According to Jon Heyman those Marlins could be dealing Jose Fernandez rumors just won't go away. "...there is word Tuesday that the Dodgers and at least one or West rival has stepped things up a bit." Would the Marlins really deal their young ace? Would the Dodgers or any other club really part with the 5/6 players that we've heard it might take to get the righty? Goodness. 

11:35 AM - Joe Torre talking to the assembled media. Torre said that MLB didn't know about the situation with Aroldis Chapman until this week. Seems crazy to me that no one was aware of the situation with Chapman. the incident occured in October. In this world where even the smallest bit of information is known so quickly, how was an alleged battery and gun situation not knowing for well over a month? Just don't get it. 

11:57 AM - My view at lunch wasn't bad at all. 

12:25 PM - The Braves seem intent on dealing Shelby Miller. Ideally, the Braves would be adding young hitters that could be controlled for years as they look to build for the future. One would think that after the trying year had by Miller last season when the Braves just couldn't score any runs when he was on the bump that he might not hate the idea of being dealt. 

12:35 PM - Marlins and Dodgers could work out a deal for Jose Fernandez if it included Julio Urias, Corey Seager and more. Would the Dodgers really do that, trade their top hitting & top pitching prospect PLUS other pieces? Seems crazy to me. 

12:44 PM - A series of random thoughts.

A dull hum in the media room. Kinda sensing some surprise so little has happened.

Nothing at all on Cespedes and Desmond. Not a thing. 

I still miss my slippers. 

I admit to being a fan of a lady in a suit.

I know so many in this room from following them on Twitter. None of them know who I am. Perhaps I should put my face on my Twitter acct? That would let people know who I am since I've spoken to beat writers who follow me and have no clue who I am. They must just know me as @BaseballGuys. I'm gonna switch my Twitter handle soon by the way, though I cannot find any derivation of @RayFlowers that hasn't been taken. 

12:51 PM - The media is flocking to the interview room. Apparently I'm the only person in attendence who didn't get the memo that something was about to pop. Wait, I see the board now, It's a bay area ruinion with Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy set to speak. 

1:10 PM - Could the Royals be unable to match the dollars being thrown at Alex Gordon? That's what Pedro Gomez is hearing. Sounds like the Giants might be willing to spend more than the Royals feel comfortable with laying out for the solid outfielder. Don't forget that the Giants love that middle ground, borderline start type. Guys like Hunter Pence and Jeff Samardzija, solid skills guys that it don't cost elite dollars to sign, are the kind of players they often target. Gordon fits right into that mix with his stellar defense and ability to get on base. 

1:26 PM - Why on earth would anyone be giving Ben Zobrist $80 million? That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard (Ken Rosenthal agrees). Zobrist has some pop, some speed and is certainly versatile. He's also 34 years old and has never, not once, been worth $20 million a year. That would be a drastic overpay. If I owned a team I wouldn't give him $15 million for a season. Certainly wouldn't be giving him $20. Ouch. 

1:29 PM - I forgot to show a pic of the classy bar I grabbed a drink at last night (to the right). Only one mind you. I was a little scared. The gal could really sing though, I'll give her that. 

1:33 PM - When Joe Maddon talks, people listen. Very calm way about him. Exudes brains. 

1:55 PM - Talked to Jeff Mans. San Diego! Beaches. Booze. Bimbos. Well at least beaches and booze.

2:01 PM - Talked to SiriusXM and Steve Phillips about our special broadcast tonight. We are going to break down all the action at the Winter Meetings for two full hours. Tune in at Sirius 210, XM 87. 

2:43 PM - The room is empty. There is no buzz. There is nothing to report. People are around getting their quotes from the managers, but in terms of player movement I'm not hearing anything. Should I go search for that elusive Red Bull? Should I take a break and study some football? Should I just take a nap on the floor? And yes, before you think that Ray would never do that note that over the weekend, on Saturday night, The Oracle was forced to sleep on the floor at Phil Backert's 30th b-day bash. Not one of my finer moments, but hey, it was a good time though my neck twas a bit sore the next day (I did get onto an air matress when Mark Kaplan of FantasyAlarm hoops fame had to leave early).

3:11 PM - Finally, a Justin Upton rumor. Sounds like the Angels are kicking the tires on the young outfielder (can you believe he's only 28 years old). Upton may not ever become the league MVP as was once hoped, but he's still a hell of a talanted player who has appeared in at least 146 games in six straight seasons. However, 20 minutes later Jeff Fletcher is reporting that there is nothing to see here. It's the battle of unnamed sources!

3:55 PM - MLB lead attorney Dan Halem held a press conference outside the media room to ostensibly address the Aroldis Chapman situation (Jose Reyes and Yasiel Puig are also dealing with domesitc abuse allegations). He said the following. They hope to have investigation wrapped up by Spring Training. The commish has powers that allow him to put a player on administrative leave even if no charges have been filed. Sounds like any player, much like in the NFL, need not be found  guilty in a court of law to end up on the sidelines. 

4:35 PM - Now the Cubs are in on the Ben Zobrist sweepstakes. I don't really get why all of a sudden every team in baseball thinks Zobrist is the answer to their prayers (Ben does have a background with Joe Maddon, so there is that). Zobrist a nice player, but it's sure sounding an awful lot like he has a chance to end up with a contract he simply won't be able to play up to.

4:42 PM - I'm tired. Too much sitting down in an air conditioned room. Not enough Red Bull. Luckily I'll start yapping in just over two hours on SiriusXM Fantasy sports radio, That will wake me up good. 

4:48 PM - Found this interesting note on Twitter.Here are the largest free-agent deals for players that were 34 or older on Opening Day:
K. Brown 7yr-$105M
B. Bonds 5yr-$90M
V. Martinez 4yr-$68M
D. Lowe 4yr-$60

Zobrist is hoping to get at least the contract given to Lowe though there have been reports that 4/80 could happen.

4:52 PM - Found it. Finally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4:55 PM - Random booze spot near a bridge. No reason for it to be there, yet there it was. If only I didn't have a show to do in two hours I would have visited... with my Red Bull of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5:00 PM - Headed to check out MLB's special demonstration of their new tech through Statcast.

6:00 PM - An hour til the SiriusXM Show. A few bullet points on what continues to be a very slow day...

Zobrist has seemingly narrowed his choices down the the Cubs and the Mets with the Nationals likely in third place.

The Cubs and Yankees are talking trade with the main get being Starlin Castro. If Castro is out then Zobrist would become a natural fit with the Cubbies. With Didi Gregorious alrerady at short it would seem the Bronx Bombers have visions of Castro playing second base for them. After a horrid start to the year he hit much better as the season progressed restoring some of the faith that had been lost.

The hum of keys being punched on keyboards... soothing.

Prince Fielder will not be traded. He will stay with the Rangers after a strong 2015 after his 2014 failure due to a neck injury. 

The Giants are looking to add an outfielder, and a big named one at that. Sounds like Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes are on the back burner as the team would prefer to add either Dexter Fowler, Alex Gordon or Jason Heyward. 

The Diamonbacks want more than Greinke and it sounds like they wouldn't mind also adding Shelby Miller in the right deal with the Braves. 

Pedro Gomez is reporting that it's looking like the Diamondbacks will add Mike Leake to support Zack Greinke at the top of their rotation. Leake is from Arizona so he should have a high comfort level if he does indeed sign there.

Danny Hultzen will no longer start. He will begin the year as a reliever for the Mariners. His shoulder has been a mess and the change from starter to relievers makes a lot of sense.

9:02 PM - Couldn't update while on the air with Steve Phillips. Hell of a show (you can find it onDemand). We talked about it, but here is what you missed if you didn't hear the show. 

Ben Zobrist signed a 4-year deal with the Cubs for $56 million. He will play all over the field, hit double-digit homers, hopefully steal double-digit bags and get on base. Joe Maddon will love moving him around and that flexibility will once again be the key to his fantasy value. He will hope to replicate the levels he produced last season. 

TWO TRADES

Shelby Miller is now a Diamondback. The Braves will receive Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair and first rounder Dansby Swanson in the deal. None of those three offers anything in terms of fantasy outlook for 2016 but Miller obviously does. He should get more run support though that might be somewhat mitigated by the move to a more hitter friendly park. All told a replication of last season's overall performance seems just about right. 

Starlin Castro is now a Yankee as the Cubs moved the guy they had replaced an hour before with Zobrist. Meanwhile the Yankees sent to the Cubs Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan. The infielder, Ryan, isn't even worth noting in a single league. Warren who made 17 starts out of 43 appearances last season, could be a nice gamble even in mixed leagues if he secures a starting rotation spot. The player though is Castro. Still just 26 years old, the man has the talent to hit .300 with 15 homers and double-digit steals, performance levels he has displayed in the past. He will play second for Yankees allowing him to qualify at two spots (SS), and he's young enough, and talented enough, that he could once again rise to the level of being an all-star if not a fantasy star. 

Thanks for reading everyone, and thanks to FantasyAlarm for sending me. I had a blast. Til next time #WinterMeetings.

 

 

THE HOTEL -  Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

The holiday decorations are superb. 

It's like an amusement park. I mean, it's bonkers amazing. Here are just a few photos that I snapped Sunday night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it's an indoor amusement park (bascially).

There are pretty lights for romance.

Everything outside is lit up for Xmas. Pretty festive indeed. 

 

 

THE FANTASY ALARM PODCAST IS AVAILABLE (TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EACH WEEK). MANS AND FLOWERS TALK FOOTBALL, LADIES, BOOZE, DFS... YOU JUST NEVER KNOW. NEITHER DO WE.