The GM Meetings opened Monday in Boca Raton, Florida. While a handful of deals could be made this week, the GM Meetings have historically featured preliminary talks more than anything. Teams lay ground work for deals that are completed later in the offseason.
Here is a recap of Monday's hot stove news, starting with the latest from CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman in Boca Raton.
JON HEYMAN
OF Nori Aoki: Aoki, a free agent, has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion late in the season.
IF Nobu Matsuda: Matsuda, a 32-year-old infielder from Japan, has declared international free agency and will look for an MLB contract.
RHP Darren O'Day: There is significant interest in O'Day, a free agent. The Red Sox, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, Royals and Cubs are all in the mix.
OF Carlos Quentin: Quentin, who did not play in 2015, is planning to attempt a comeback in 2016.
Twins: Won negotiating rights to Korean slugger Byung Ho Park with a $12.85 million bid. The two sides now have 30 days to work out a contract. Assuming the Twins sign Park, they'll have a logjam at the corners.
Yankees: Willing to listen to trade offers for closer LHP Andrew Miller. They would seek a significant return.
ROSTER MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
Pirates: Claimed RHP Guido Knudson off waivers from the Tigers, the team announced.
HEALTH & INJURY UPDATES
RHP Tommy Hanson: Hanson, formerly of the Braves and Angels, is currently in a coma. Further details are unknown at this point.
Angels: 1B Albert Pujols will be sidelined 4 1/2 months after having surgery on his right foot last week. His availability for Opening Day is in question.
Indians: OF Michael Brantley will be out 5-6 months following right shoulder surgery.
Orioles: RHP Dylan Bundy was scratched from Monday's scheduled appearance in the Arizona Fall League due to stiffness in his elbow and forearm. (Baltimore Sun)
Red Sox: IF Travis Shaw will sit out the remainder of the winter ball season with an impingement in his right shoulder. (Boston Herald)
NEWS & RUMORS
Hall of Fame: The 2015 Hall of Fame ballot was released. Ken Griffey Jr. headlines the 15 newcomers.
Awards: The 2015 Players Choice Awards were announced. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson was named the MLB Player of the Year.
RHP Ryan Madson: Following his Comeback Player of the Year worthy season, Madson is looking for a multiyear deal as a free agent this winter. (Kansas City Star)
LHP Johan Santana: Agent Peter Greenberg confirmed Santana is still planning to attempt a comeback in 2016. He has not pitched in MLB since 2012 due to shoulder and Achilles injuries. (Fox Sports)
RHP Joakim Soria: Soria, a free agent, is drawing interest from both the Tigers and Twins. (Detroit News & 1500 ESPN)
Hiroshima Carp: Hiroshima is likely to post ace RHP Kenta Maeda for MLB teams later this offseason. (Fox Sports)
Cardinals: Top prospect RHP Alex Reyes as been suspended 50 games after testing positive for marijuana.
Dodgers: Want OF Yasiel Puig to shed some weight this offseason.
Marlins: 2B Dee Gordon is open to a long-term contract extension. We took a crack at figuring out what a fair deal may be ... The Marlins are floating OF Marcell Ozuna in trade talks and are seeking a No. 2 type starter in return. (ESPN)
Red Sox: President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed they are looking for one or two top notch relievers (Boston Herald) ... Showing interest in free agent OF Chris Young. (USA Today)
Tigers: GM Al Avila confirmed the team is looking for high-end bullpen help. “We’re trying to get a closer. Who that guy is right now, I can’t tell you," said Avila. (Detroit Free Press)
White Sox: GM Rick Hahn did not rule out re-signing SS Alexei Ramirez. The team declined their $10 million option for Ramirez last week. (CSN Chicago)
Yankees: GM Brian Cashman more or less rejected the idea of pursuing free agent IF Daniel Murphy. “I think if we did any changing there it would be seeking more balance of both sides of the ball,” said Cashman referring to Murphy's offense first profile. (ESPN New York)
