Press Clippings December 8, 2014

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Sometimes, friendships take the hit in John Fay, [email protected] 8:44 a.m. EST December 7, 2014

The news of the Chris Heisey trade to the hit the Heisey and Cozart households hard.

Chris and Zack Cozart, of course, were teammates and are close friends. Their lockers were next to one another at Great American Ball Park. They carpooled to the ballpark and were virtually inseparable for the road.

But they didn't take the trade nearly as hard Lisa Heisey and Chelsea Cozart.

"You're with your teammates so long during the season – all day, everyday," Zack Cozart said Saturday at Redsfest. "We have certain bonds. Mine and Chris was more than the other guys because our wives are such good friends. We hung out a lot.

"We know it's a business. We know we can be gone at any time. Our wives took it the hardest. It's one of those things. It's been weird. It's weird being here and not having him around. I had a lot of fans last night say 'tell Chris we're going to miss him.' It's bittersweet."

CINCINNATI

Will be ripe for deal?

It won't be too bad at . The Reds and Dodgers train about 10 miles apart. The Heiseys and Cozarts, in fact, will share a house.

"It worked out," Cozart said. "We'll get to hang out a little bit more. It's weird though not having him here. Usually after Redsfest we go out to dinner together. But he's looking forward to the opportunity. He's gotten some good words of encouragement from the Dodgers.

COMEBACK KID: Right-hander Nick Travieso, the club's top pick in the 2012 draft, had a breakout year this year. He went 14-5 with a 3.03 ERA for Single-A Dayton. He was 8-1 with a 2.25 ERA in July and August.

This after going 7-6 with a 4.65 ERA in the his first two years of pro ball.

"I just had a lot more confidence in the second half," Travieso said. "What worked for me in the past is what I needed to go back to – go out there and pitch the way I knew how to."

For Travieso, 20, that meant getting back to the .

"I really relied on my fastball a lot more," he said. "I was a lot more confident with it. Secondary stuff will get you so far, but you can't get anywhere without the fastball. I realized that. It took me a little while."

BULLPEN PLAN: While the Reds will likely go outside to improve the offense, fixing the bullpen is going to have to come largely from within the organization.

"There are certain guys that I don't think will come in and have to pitch their way onto the team," Reds Bryan Price said. "That being said, I think we're going to have a highly motivated bunch to come in ready to do considerably better than we did last year. And we've got guys who have had a history of having success. J.J. Hoover was a big part of the 2012 and '13 clubs. Manny Parra had a big year in 2013. Sam LeCure had a great first half and not as good second half. We hope to have Sean Marshall back."

Will Winter Meetings be ripe for deal? John Fay, [email protected] 7:57 p.m. EST December 6, 2014

Walt Jocketty was asked about four times on the big stage at Redsfest about Yoenis Cespedes. Jocketty answered the same way each time: I can't talk about players on other teams.

Cespedes, the Boston outfielder, has been linked to the Reds since a rumor of an impending trade for the Mat Latos popped up on Twitter. The apparent source of the rumor was a 14-year-old kid who describes himself as a "baseball insider." (That's fodder for another column).

Jocketty, the Reds general manager, said he hasn't talked to the Red Sox about Cespedes.

Without violating any tampering rules, Jocketty confirmed that there are big bats on the trade market that fit the Reds stated need for offensive help in the outfield. Cespedes is likely among them, along with Oakland's Brandon Moss and Atlanta's Justin Upton.

All three would be big upgrades offensively in left field for the Reds. The problem is all three would be upgrades for a lot of teams.

"I think there are players available," Jocketty said. "But there are a lot of clubs looking for hitting. It's not going to be that easy to complete trades right now. The other factor we have to be concerned about is how they fit in our payroll."

Trade talks will heat up Sunday when clubs head to San Diego for the annual Winter Meetings. The Reds haven't made a deal at the Winter Meetings since they traded for Ramon Hernandez in 2008. Will they this year?

"I don't know if we'll get something done or not," Jocketty said. "If we don't, we still have time before spring training starts. I'm not real sure how fast things will come together. The free agent market really slows things down."

The aforementioned outfielders would fit into the Reds' budget – provided the club traded either Latos or Mike Leake in the deal. Latos and Leake are due to become free agents after the season. The Reds have all but promised not to trade Cy Young runner-up .

Upton would be the biggest upgrade, followed by Cespedes and Moss. Let's look at each:

Upton: He would take the most to get. It would likely take Leake or Latos and a prospect. But Upton hit .270/.342/.491 with 29 home runs and 102 RBI. He's the perfect right-handed bat to separate Joey Votto and Jay Bruce.

Upton will make $14.5 million. That's why the Reds would have to move Leake or Latos in the deal. One bonus: You can make a qualifying offer to Upton after 2015, so you'd a get a draft pick. The Reds probably would not make a qualifying offer to Leake. They probably would to Latos if he's healthy and returns to form.

Cespedes: He hit .260/.301/.450 with 22 home runs and 100 RBI. He makes $10 million next year; so the salary is wash with either Leake or Latos. You probably do the deal for Leake if you're the Reds, but not Latos. Why? Because if Latos is what he was in 2012 and '13, he's more valuable than Cespedes.

Moss: He hit .234/.334/.438 with 25 home runs and 81 RBI. mlbtraderumors.com estimates he'll make $7.1 million as a second-time arbitration-eligible player. He's also controlled in 2016.

Again, the get any of the above – or a hitter of that caliber – the Reds are going to have to trade away a starting . The rotation was the strength of the team this year. But the team finished 76-86.

"I'd take this starting five any day of the week," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "You wouldn't find a guy who was any more excited to have these five returning starters healthy and ready to go. Starting pitching is not an area where I feel we need to improve. That being said, we are challenged. We're not hiding behind what's right in front of us, and that is the fact that we've got four guys that are a year away from not arbitration but free agency. That poses a challenge because you'd like to pay every single player you have what they deserve, and we'd love to have this pitching staff intact. I just don't know if that's possible or realistic."

Jocketty has also said the club is interested in the free agents Nori Aoki and . They were interested in Torii Hunter before he signed with Minnesota and in Michael Cuddyer before he signed with the Mets. (Jocketty did shoot down any chance the Reds would be in on Melky Cabrera).

Hunter signed for one year and $10.5 million; Cuddyer signed for two years and $21 million. That tells what kind of money the Reds can spend.

You can make an argument that the Reds would be best off bringing back Latos and Leake and adding an Aoki or a Morse.

That's what the front the office has to decide.

"I think the bottom line is we have to work with what we have to work with," Price said. "I don't know if we're capable of giving everybody what it will take to, number one, keep them here and do what we want payroll wise. That will be a challenge and I don't know if I can answer that question because I don't know. In order to that I think we're going to have to find different ways to put the rest of the 25-man roster together where it will all fit in payroll.

Reds' Lois Hudson honored at Winter Meetings C. Trent Rosecrans, [email protected] 5:07 a.m. EST December 8, 2014

SAN DIEGO -- Lois Hudson, the Reds' director of minor league administration, was awarded the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award by Minor League Baseball. Hudson is the first Reds employee to win the award named after the long-time farm director. She is also the first female to win the award.

The Reds front office was at the minor league awards dinner on Sunday to support Hudson, who accepted the award and gave a speech.

Here is the press release from Minor League Baseball when the award was announced earlier this year:

Minor League Baseball announced today that it has selected Cincinnati Reds Director of Minor League Administration Lois Hudson as the recipient of the seventh annual Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award, presented to an individual with distinguished service who has been instrumental in player development. The award has been presented annually since 2008 and is named for the long-time front office executive and consultant who spent 39 years with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds' minor league player of the year award is also named after him.

Hudson will receive her award at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, California.

"This is an unbelievable honor and extra special to me because I was fortunate to work with Chief Bender for many years," said Hudson.

"Lois Hudson's dedication, perseverance and work ethic have been vital to the success of the Cincinnati Reds' player development department and has been throughout her 30-year career with the Reds," said Walt Jocketty, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds. "In fact, her tireless efforts transcend our entire organization."

Hudson is a native Cincinnatian who has spent 27 seasons as a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization. She was promoted to her current position of Director of Minor League Administration in November 2008 after previously serving as player development administration coordinator. She currently oversees the day-to-day operation of the Reds' player development department. Hudson was hired as a part-time secretary for scouting/player development in 1984 and served in that role until 1989.

Two years later, she returned to the Reds as an administrative assistant for player development. Her dedication to the entire Reds organization, from the front office staff to field staff, affiliates and players, is endless and unrivaled. Lois is vital to the success of the player development department and has been so for nearly 30 years.

"Lois Hudson has had an extensive baseball career spanning nearly three decades, and has positively impacted the lives of many players within the Cincinnati Reds organization," remarked Pat O'Conner, Minor League Baseball President & CEO. "Her dedication and commitment to player development, as well as to the organization as a whole, is felt by many. On behalf of Minor League Baseball, I congratulate Lois on this honor."

MLB.COM

Bailey spending offseason rehabbing from surgery Reds righty working his way back from procedure to repair torn flexor tendon in elbow By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | December 6, 2014

CINCINNATI -- Most offseasons, it's hard to locate Reds pitcher Homer Bailey because he's usually way off the grid. Bailey, an avid outdoorsman and bow hunter, often travels to remote outposts of the country for weeks at a time.

Not this offseason. Bailey, who had Sept. 5 surgery to repair a torn flexor mass tendon near his elbow, has remained home in La Grange, Texas, and works with a physical therapist at his local hospital for rehabilitation.

"I'm rehabbing every Monday through Friday ... fun stuff," Bailey said on Saturday during Redsfest. "You're rehabbing instead of getting the time off you'd want. Once you're done with rehab, it's time to start working everything."

Bailey, 28, has an L-shaped scar on his inner elbow similar to one of a pitcher that had surgery. While that procedure replaces a ligament, Bailey's was to repair the tendon inside his forearm.

The good news is that Bailey feels like his rehab and therapy are going well.

"I'm about a week or a week and a half ahead of schedule. Everything looks fine," Bailey said. "I can't think of anything right now that I can't do. I haven't tried throwing yet, but even if I was healthy, I wouldn't start throwing until Christmas. That's the timetable they want me to start throwing, rehab-wise."

Reds manager Bryan Price liked the updates about Bailey he's been getting.

"I don't know if that means he'll be ready for but he's feeling really, really good," Price said.

Bailey was very optimistic that he would return as strong as he was before.

"I don't see why not. Elbows, guys come back from that pretty well," Bailey said. "[Jonathan] Broxton's [flexor mass tendon] completely tore off. Mine was about half. He came back and looked just fine. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't."

Bailey, who pitched his final game on Aug. 7, was 9-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 23 starts. He walked 45 and struck out 124 in 145 2/3 innings.

A pitcher with two no-hitters on his resume and back-to-back 200-inning seasons in 2012-13, Bailey was signed to a six-year, $105 million contract in February. Unlike the other four members of the Reds' rotation who are a year away from free agency, his name has not come up in trade rumors at all.

"For the first time in a long time [there are no trade rumors]," he said. "I don't keep up with it. I don't follow it."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of or its clubs.

Reds ready to get working at Winter Meetings By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | December 7, 2014

SAN DIEGO -- As they often do, the annual Winter Meetings offer large servings of rumors and intrigue and the potential for blockbuster moves around the league. The question as always going in is will the Reds have a role in any of it?

General manager Walt Jocketty and the Reds' baseball-operations department arrived in San Diego on Sunday with plenty of work to do as the Winter Meetings will officially open for business on Monday.

Cincinnati's search for a new everyday who can help improve the lineup, as well as bullpen help, will continue this week. Even though teams and agents have the ability to negotiate day and night via phone, text and email, sometimes nothing beats the opportunity to talk face to face. The Winter Meetings is certainly an easy place to do that.

MLB.com and reds.com will be on the scene to provide full coverage of the Winter Meetings all week.

Jocketty will hold a briefing with Reds beat reporters each day about developments and the progress toward potential moves. Manager Bryan Price is scheduled to meet with reporters from any interested outlet during a 30-minute interview session on Monday at 5 p.m. ET.

The Winter Meetings wrap on Thursday morning with the Rule 5 Draft. The Reds currently have a 40-man roster with 38 players, which gives them room to add a player they might like.

Fans are encouraged to keep the conversation going in the comments section of stories on reds.com. Feel free to make your own suggestions for moves. Which left fielder should the team sign -- Nori Aoki? Michael Morse, someone else? If they were willing to make a trade of one of their four starting pitchers nearing free agency to get the left-field spot filled, which one are you willing to part with?

Readers should stop by reds.com often for stories about the club and can also follow @m_sheldon on Twitter and the Mark My Word blog for immediate updates.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Cueto takes home MLB.com's GIBBY for Bounceback Player By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | December 6, 2014

CINCINNATI -- It's hard to believe now, after the 2014 season he had, but there were actually some questions back in the spring about whether Johnny Cueto would be durable enough to get through the year healthy for the Reds.

That's because Cueto was limited to only 11 starts in 2013 because of three separate stints on the disabled list with a strained right lat muscle. This season, all such issues were put in the past in stunning fashion, as the Cincinnati turned in one of the best seasons in franchise history. Perhaps that was why voters turned out to give Cueto MLB.com's Greatness in Baseball Yearly (GIBBY) Award for Bounceback Player of the Year.

"I think overall that Johnny understands that he had a really great year," Reds third baseman Todd Frazier said at the end of the season. "There is no short of great there. He really exceeded my expectations, especially being hurt the year before. He worked hard. Knowing him and the emotions he brings, he's going to do it day in and day out."

Winners were announced live during an awards show on MLB Network and MLB.com on Saturday. In the bounceback category, Cueto finished ahead of Chris Young, Pat Neshek, Justin Morneau, , Casey McGehee, Edinson Volquez, Starlin Castro and .

Major League Baseball's A-listers won 2014 GIBBY trophies based on votes by broadcasters, reporters, front-office personnel, MLB alumni, fans at MLB.com and the Society for American Baseball Research.

This year's GIBBY Awards featured winners in 25 categories. Individual honors went to the Most Valuable Major Leaguer, in addition to the year's best , everyday player, closer, setup man, rookie, breakout everyday player, breakout pitcher, bounceback player, defensive player, manager, executive and postseason MVP.

GIBBY trophies were also awarded for the year's top regular-season play, outfield throw, storyline, hitting performance, pitching performance, oddity, walk-off, Cut4 Topic, regular-season moment, postseason storyline, postseason walk-off and postseason play.

Cueto, 28, finished second behind the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw for the . He was 20-9 with 2.25 ERA, while finishing first in innings (243 2/3), starts (34) and tied for first in (242). Along with Adam Wainwright of St. Louis, Cueto was tied for second in wins behind Kershaw, second in ERA and WHIP (0.96) and tied for third with four complete games. A first-time NL All-Star this season, Cueto was also the Major League leader with a .194 opponents' batting average.

A 19-game winner in 2012, Cueto was poised for another breakout season in '13 before he went on the DL for the first time in mid- April. He returned in May only to be injured again in early June and again in late June, missing 2 1/2 months.

This season, in a campaign in which the Reds struggled and missed the postseason, Cueto's contributions really stood out. The last time a Reds pitcher won 20 games was in 1988, when Danny Jackson accomplished the feat. Only Cueto and Jim Maloney (1963 and '65) have recorded at least 20 wins and 240 strikeouts in a season for the Reds since 1900. Cueto's ERA was the club's lowest since Gary Nolan (1.99) in 1972.

In the past several seasons, fans have cast millions of votes across the GIBBY categories, none of which is restricted to individual league affiliation. That's how you know the GIBBYs consider the best of the best.

All 30 clubs were represented among the award candidates, which was a testament to the competitive balance around the game.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Frazier's mind is focused on baseball, Redsfest Third baseman not worried about his own contract situation

CINCINNATI -- Redsfest is often a time when both fans and players get back into thinking and talking about baseball for the first time during the offseason. That isn't the case for Reds third baseman Todd Frazier, who found himself watching video of his hitting while at home in New Jersey.

"I saw the home runs I hit last year. Why not look at that stuff and get excited?" Frazier said. "I'm getting the itch a little bit. I watched some old timers on MLB Network the other day hitting home runs. It's exciting. It's something you always dream of, playing baseball."

Frazier, 28, could be poised for a chance to be a Reds player for the long term, in what is a pivotal winter. He is arbitration eligible for the first time since breaking into the Major Leagues in 2011.

There have been no talks yet about a contract for Frazier. But a good baseline for where things might be headed came from Seattle this week, when the Mariners signed third baseman Kyle Seager to a seven-year, $100 million contract.

Seager, who turned 27 last month, also broke into the Majors in 2011. Last season, he posted a slash line of .268/.334/.454, with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs in 159 games. Lifetime, he's batting .262/.328/.429, with 70 homers and 264 RBIs.

Frazier has very similar numbers. He batted .273/.336/.459, with 25 homers and 80 RBIs in 2014. His slash line is .258/.325/.451 for his career, with 73 homers and 235 RBIs.

"I'm aware of it, of course," Frazier said when asked about Seager's deal. "Right now, I'm just worried about Redsfest. I've seen it. It's pretty cool. I'm aware of it. I'm just trying to help out the Reds and the community. That's all I can do, right now."

Frazier did his part, mingling with fans and signing autographs on Saturday. He spent time in a special room visiting kids battling cancer. Later, on the main stage, he teamed with Skip Schumaker to play a special edition of Reds Family Feud.

Meanwhile, Frazier is leaving the heavy lifting for a new contract to his representatives at CAA Sports.

"Hopefully, things work out," he said.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Leake curious, but not worrying about trade rumors By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | December 6, 2014

CINCINNATI -- Reds pitcher Mike Leake knows he's in a situation that's not unique to his team -- or the starting rotation. Leake, who is arbitration-eligible for the third and final time, is one of four starting pitchers on the club who are a year away from becoming free agents.

It's not yet clear what the Reds might do. They would like to retain Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Leake and Alfredo Simon beyond 2015 but also know budget limitations might prevent it. Speculation has been that one or more of the four could be traded this winter.

"I'm curious. I check MLB Trade Rumors every day just to see what's new," Leake said on Saturday during a break from Redsfest. "There's nothing you can do about it. You sit and wait and see if your name is thrown in a trade."

Leake avoided arbitration last winter and signed a one-year, $5.9 million contract. Although he had an 11-13 record, 2014 was one of his best seasons. He posted a 3.70 ERA, and his 33 starts and 214 1/3 innings were both career highs.

As for whether he wants to remain in Cincinnati, Leake seemed non-committal.

"I'll be happy either way," he said. "I won't be upset if they choose to go a different route as an organization. I'll be happy if they have me in their plans. It's all in their hands. I guess I'm kind of kissing their feet right now, waiting for what their decision is."

There have been no talks as of yet between Leake's agent and the club.

"I haven't heard anything and I haven't tried to approach it," Leake said. "I think we're all kind of waiting on the [Jon] Lester thing and seeing what he does. Then I think it will start rolling."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

FOXSPORTSOHIO.COM Left field bat tops Reds' wish list at Winter Meetings Kevin Goheen FOX Sports Ohio DEC 08, 2014 9:47a ET

Major League Baseball's annual Winter Meetings get underway Monday in San Diego. The Reds have some needs to fill, and whether those can be met in the next four days or shortly thereafter, the club is expected to be active while in Southern California.

General manager Walt Jocketty's front office staff has undergone some change since the 2014 season ended with the Reds finishing 76-86. That resulted in a disappointing fourth-place finish in the National League Central, 14 games behind St. Louis. Bob Miller and Bill Bavasi have both left the organization while former San Diego and Arizona GM Kevin Towers has been hired as a special assistant in player personnel.

Injuries certainly played a pivotal role in the Reds' demise last season, especially after the All-Star break when they went from being seven games over .500 and just 1.5 games out of first place into a freefall. Yet even with the healthy return this season of first baseman Joey Votto and reliever Sean Marshall, a return to form by right fielder Jay Bruce and continued improvement by center fielder Billy Hamilton and catcher Devin Mesoraco, who are coming off their first full seasons as starters in the majors, the Reds are still seeking a productive and consistent bat to take over the left field job. They also have an eye on the future with four of their five starting pitchers from last season about to enter the final year of their contracts.

Talking roster reconstruction and improvement is one thing. Making it happen in conjunction with the confines of a budget whose payroll is expected to be in the range of $125 million is something else.

"I think we need reinforcements to drive in some runs out of left field. That would be a big help," said manager Bryan Price during Redsfest last weekend. "I think the bottom line is we have to work with what we have to work with. I don't know if we're capable of giving everybody what it will take to, number one, keep them here and do what we want payroll wise. That will be a challenge and I don't know if I can answer that question because I don't know. In order to do that I think we're going to have to find different ways to put the rest of the 25-man roster together where it will all fit in payroll."

The Reds have gotten at least the groundwork for two major deals -- the acquisitions of pitcher Mat Latos from San Diego in 2011 and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo from Cleveland in 2012 -- at recent Winter Meetings. Latos is one of those starting pitchers who is one year away from possible free agency and has been one of the notable subjects of trade rumors this offseason.

The top three things to watch this week from the Reds:

*Who's playing left field?

VOTTO'S RECOVERY

Joey Votto thinks his leg is doing better. The Reds first baseman says his left knee certainly feels better and he likes the progress he's been making since the end of the season.

It won't be , now a free agent. It won't be Chris Heisey, now a Los Angeles Dodger after being traded for pitching prospect Matt Magill. There are a few names floating about the rumor mills to one degree or another -- Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, Justin Upton of Atlanta and Brandon Moss of Oakland are the hottest names for just about every suitor in MLB -- but would the Reds have enough to give up in a trade for one of these players? The free-agent market for left fielders isn't great, plus it's unlikely the Reds would want to add more to the payroll. Swapping out salaries would be a better deal for the Reds.

*Does the starting five remain the starting five?

From a baseball (on the field) standpoint, the Reds would love to have Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon begin the season as their starting rotation and each take the ball 30-plus times. From a baseball (business) standpoint, it's tough to see this happening. Only Bailey is signed long term while the other four are entering the final year of their respective contracts. The club has said it is not looking to trade Cueto and is hopeful of being able to sign him to a long-term deal. Latos has the most to offer in terms of trade value, but he's coming off an injury-riddled 2014 that included being shut down early because of elbow difficulties. Yet, when he's healthy he's good enough to be a team's No. 1 or No. 2 starter, as he proved for the Reds in 2012 and '13. Leake may not be a No. 1 or No. 2 guy, but he's proven his durability and has improved every season.

"I'd take this starting five pitchers any day of the week," Price said. "You wouldn't find a guy who was any more excited to have these five returning starters healthy and ready to go. Starting pitching is not an area where I feel we need to improve."

2014 REDS A TO Z

Kevin Goheen goes back and looks at the Reds 2014 season

They don't need to improve upon it, but the Reds can't stand pat with this group either.

*What about an under-the-radar move?

Roster construction isn't all about the big names. Utility infielder Ramon Santiago has opted for free agency. Heisey provided some power off the bench and was a good late-inning defensive replacement. The bullpen, beyond closer Aroldis Chapman, had a suspect season. While the Reds expect their relievers to bounce back to the form and performance of previous seasons, it's not as if all jobs are wrapped up.

Winter Meetings should offer endless intrigue, possibilities Ken Rosenthal FOX Sports DEC 07, 2014 1:17p ET

SAN DIEGO — Here we go.

Baseball's Winter Meetings are an annual exercise in rumors, reality and outright fantasy. But they're always fun, and this year's "convention" at the Manchester Grand Hyatt could turn into a real doozy, given the sheer number of big names available in trade.

Of course, not all of the talk will come to fruition. Not all of the teams will resolve their issues. Not all of the free agents will find new clubs. There will be head-turning moments and head-scratching moments, and no doubt some major surprises.

Here are 10 things to watch:

1. Jon Lester

The Red Sox probably could have signed Lester for something like five years, $110 million last spring. Now the price figures to be at least six years, $150 million.

The Cubs, Dodgers and Giants are the other teams known to be seriously pursuing Lester. A decision is expected at the meetings, and after that the other pitching dominoes — both with trades and free agents — will start to fall.

2. Trades involving pitchers

A number of pitchers entering their free-agent years are in play, including the Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, the Tigers' David Price and Rick Porcello, the Athletics' Jeff Samardzija and the Reds' Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos and Mike Leake.

Of those, Porcello, Samardzija and one or more of the Reds' pitchers are perhaps the most likely to be moved, if not at the meetings, then later. The Nats are expected to make another run at extending Zimmermann, and it seems unlikely the Tigers would trade Price unless they knew that they could re-sign free-agent righty Max Scherzer.

The Red Sox, according to sources, like Porcello, who is from New Jersey, owns a house in Vermont and might be inclined to sign with Boston long term. The much-rumored Porcello for Yoenis Cespedes swap? Probably not a fair exchange. Porcello is 26 and trending upward. Cespedes is three years older and his on-base percentage the past two seasons is .298.

3. Trades involving right-handed hitters

Three big ones are attracting heavy discussion — Cespedes, Justin Upton and Matt Kemp.

The signing of free agent Nick Markakis enables the Braves to move Upton and go with an outfield of Evan Gattis in left, B.J. Upton in center and Markakis in right.

The Braves could also trade Gattis, who has four years of control remaining as opposed to Upton's one. They then could keep Upton and collect a draft pick if they are unable to re-sign him a free agent. That, however, seems the less likely scenario.

As for Kemp, the Dodgers are not certain to move him — they are also talking to clubs about their two other high-priced outfielders, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford.

4. The Padres

Remember the 2000 meetings in Dallas, when the Rangers signed for $252 million? The Padres, under new GM A.J. Preller and a relatively new ownership, would love to make the same type of splash with the meetings in San Diego. Heck, they've been itching to make a splash the entire offseason.

They struck out on free-agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval with a bid reported to be in the $100 million range. They struck out on Cuban free agent Yasmany Tomas, who went to the Diamondbacks for six years, $68.5 million.

A trade for one of the right-handed bats seems the most logical play; the Padres have been talking to the Dodgers about Kemp for weeks. If the Pads land, say, Kemp or Upton, they likely will pull back from discussions on their starting pitchers and attempt to contend in 2015.

5. The Dodgers

When Andrew Friedman was Rays' GM, he routinely performed due diligence on virtually every player available, even ones that seemed unattainable. A number of other GMs follow the same practice, so it often seems like they're on everyone and no one at the same time.

Well, now Friedman is the Dodgers' new president of baseball operations, blessed with the financial resources to acquire virtually any player he wants. Agents want the Dodgers to pursue their players. Teams want the Dodgers to include money in trades.

Friedman is in an interesting spot, trying to streamline the team's bloated payroll while improving the club. How serious are the Dodgers on Lester? Which outfielder will they trade? The meetings will start to provide answers.

6. The Reds

General manager Walt Jocketty is in a difficult spot. The Reds, according to sources, want to reduce their payroll from $114 million last Opening Day to about $100 million. But Jocketty and owner Bob Castellini are too competitive to retrench completely.

So, the Reds are looking at all options — trades involving their starting pitchers and outfielder Jay Bruce as well as possible additions to fill their opening in left field.

7. The Phillies

They want to retool. But it might not happen at these meetings.

A trade of left-hander Cole Hamels is unlikely to occur until after free agents Lester, and possibly Scherzer find new teams. A trade of first baseman Ryan Howard and his massive contract is also something that might need to wait.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins could be attractive for the Dodgers if he is willing to waive his no-trade clause. Outfielder Marlon Byrd is reasonably priced for one of the Kemp/Upton/Cespedes losers — he's earning $8 million next season with an $8 million vesting option for 2016.

8. Scott Boras

Scherzer is his big prize, and the common assumption is that Boras will hold him out until January, as he often does with his top free agents.

Boras, though, also has been known to strike in December. Three of his most stunning signings — A-Rod to the Rangers, Kevin Brown to the Dodgers, Jayson Werth to the Nationals — came at the Winter Meetings. Of course, they were all market-setting deals.

Both of Boras' big signings last offseason — Jacoby Ellsbury to the Yankees and Shin-Soo Choo to the Rangers — also came in December. Which isn't to say that Scherzer will sign at the meetings, or shortly thereafter. But it's not out of the question.

9. Remaining free-agent bats

Outfielder Melky Cabrera, thought to be attracting interest from the Mariners, Royals, Giants and other clubs, could sign at these meetings. So could third baseman Chase Headley, who has been a target of the Yankees and Giants.

After those two come off the board, the best hitters will be nearly all gone — and the conversation will turn to players such as Mike Morse, Colby Rasmus and Asdrubal Cabrera.

10. The relief market

Now that left-hander Andrew Miller has signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Yankees, other free-agent relievers could reach agreements quickly.

Closer David Robertson is the top reliever remaining on the open market. The list of right-handed setup men includes Sergio Romo, Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek, Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano and Francisco Rodriguez. The left-handers include Neal Cotts, Craig Breslow, Phil Coke and Joe Thatcher.

TRANSACTIONS

12/07/14

Cleveland Indians signed free agent C Adam Moore to a minor league contract.