Winter wonderland, Disney-style
Six top storylines at baseball's annual winter meetings, which begin Monday in Orlando:
1. Manny Ramirez: It is the storyline that won't go away. Trade rumors again are flying, though there is not yet an indication that Boston is closer to trading him than the Red Sox were during the last 1,235 rumors surrounding him.
The most logical fit would appear to be with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are looking for a middle-of-the-lineup hitter and have a plethora of young prospects, many of whom scouts consider to be major-league ready: first baseman James Loney, outfielder Matt Kemp and infielder Andy LaRoche.
San Diego has been included in rumors based on the fact that the Padres also entered the winter searching for a big stick and being that Padres GM Kevin Towers and Boston GM Theo Epstein have an excellent working relationship. But it is questionable whether the Padres would surrender ace Jake Peavy, and Boston would have to pay much of Ramirez's salary: Industry sources with knowledge of the Padres' thinking say that president Sandy Alderson will not spend that kind of money.
Ramirez also has no-trade powers and has said in the past that he does not have interest in switching to the National League, though he had a good relationship in Boston with Dodgers manager Grady Little and was particularly close in Cleveland with Dodgers hitting coach Eddie Murray. The Los Angeles Angels were interested a year ago, but they just shelled out $50 million for center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. and their need now is at third base.
2. Barry Zito: He's the best starting pitcher on the free agent market, and he should dominate the talk in Orlando among clubs looking for pitching -- especially with Boston having won the rights to Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka and the deadline for signing him falling after the winter meetings (Dec. 15). The New York Mets will make a strong push for Zito, and several other clubs are interested as well: Texas, Dodgers, St. Louis, Cubs, San Diego and Arizona among them.
3. Jason Schmidt: Not the No. 1 starter he once was, but still good enough to rank just behind Zito as this winter's premier starting pitching attraction. He's a Washington native and has expressed a desire to play in Seattle, and the feeling is mutual (but are the dollars?). The Dodgers, Cubs, Giants and Yankees are among those clubs who will be involved.
4. The Cubs: They've already spent more than $200 million this winter on Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Mark DeRosa, Kerry Wood, Henry Blanco and new manager Lou Piniella, and they're not done yet. Hendry still needs a couple of starters, and Schmidt is one of his targets (Gil Meche, too). As aggressive as Hendry has been so far this winter, expect the Cubs to remain major players next week on the pitching front. And despite already landing Soriano, the Cubs continue to talk with the versatile Julio Lugo as well.
5. The White Sox pitching: With pitching hard to come by on the free agent market, trading is another alternative. And Chicago GM Kenny Williams is expected to deal Freddy Garcia -- or Javier Vazquez. Texas has been babysitting this one hard.
6. Toronto and Vernon Wells: The Blue Jays' center fielder has one year left on his contract and GM J.P. Ricciardi is listening to trade offers -- but only the really, really good ones. Which means he hasn't spent much time listening so far -- but might next week.
