The Rundown: Winter Meetings Start Fast, Three Teams Targeting Bellinger, Boyd Hopes to Lead Cubs Back to Playoffs

The Winter Meetings are off to an incendiary start.

Juan Soto got baller money from the Mets, and the Cubs are now pitching Cody Bellinger to the runners-up. I’ve also heard that Chicago’s North Side Baseballers are very strong favorites to get Garrett Crochet from the White Sox, but he will cost at least two of your favorite prospects, plus Alexander Canario, who the ChiSox allegedly love. Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to sign players like they will be given a second franchise when baseball expands to 32 teams. Signing bonuses and deferred contracts be damned, let’s get into today’s Rundown.

Cubs News & Notes

• Jed Hoyer is still looking to add pitchers, including potential starters.
• The president of baseball operations has already had wide-ranging exploratory trade talks with several teams across MLB.
• Teams that lost out on Soto might now turn to the Cubs, who have been trying to trade Bellinger since November.
• The Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are Bellinger’s likeliest suitors.
• The Diamondbacks tried to convince Hoyer to take SP Jordan Montgomery for Bellinger.
• The Cubs never had a shot at signing Soto because that’s not how the team conducts its business.
• Dansby Swanson underwent successful core surgery in early October but is not expected to miss any time in 2025 as a result.
• According to Jacob Zanolla of the Ivy League Cubs, the Cubs are also interested in Guardians’ first baseman Josh Naylor. The Mississauga Masher is entering his final year of arbitration.
• Carson Kelly and the Cubs are making significant progress on a potential deal, according to John Heyman.
• The Cubs also have Walker Buehler on their radar, though the market for starting pitching is still a bit exorbitant.
• The Orioles will be interested in acquiring outfielder Seiya Suzuki if the Cubs attempt to trade him.
• That said, the report that the Cubs are “determined” to trade Suzuki seems a little far-fetched.
• Chicago has made several significant moves at the Winter Meetings in the past, including the acquisitions of Jon Lester and Ben Zobrist. Dallas Green was a one-man wrecking crew back in the early 1980s and was also directly responsible for turning the franchise around for good.
• Ex-Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel tried to coax an answer regarding Rōki Sasaki out of Shōta Imanaga, who responded with silence.
• Matthew Boyd is excited to help the Cubs get back to the postseason.
• The Cubs officially announced manager Craig Counsell‘s 2025 coaching staff.

Odds & Sods

Honus Wagner shows why he was known as “The Flying Dutchman.” Circumnavigating the bases without touching the ground is a rare feat that has been absent from baseball for a good century. It’s gotta be the shoes.

Not sure what’s happening here but I love this action shot of Honus Wagner pic.twitter.com/n4InUEkq4l

— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) December 6, 2024

Central Intelligence

• Milwaukee: The Brewers are attempting to trade for Crochet and remain in active talks with the White Sox. There’s your proverbial mystery team.
• St. Louis: The Cardinals are planning to keep closer Ryan Helsley despite rumors to the contrary.
• Cincinnati: Free agent outfielder Max Kepler could be a perfect fit for the Reds defensively challenged outfield.
• Pittsburgh: The Pirates agreed to terms on minor league contracts with relievers Tanner Rainey and Hunter Stratton.

Monday Stove

Soto’s deal could be worth an extra $40 million if the outfielder opts out after five seasons and the Mets choose to void that option.

Topps has already released its 2025 Soto baseball card, and baseball’s highest-paid player is wearing his new uniform.

The Yankees will initially pivot to free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander to fill their hole in right field, though a trade for an outfielder is a more likely option.

The Giants have agreed to terms on a seven-year contract with Willy Adames. The infielder will earn $182 million over the length of the deal.

The Orioles have reached an agreement with outfielder Tyler O’Neill on a three-year, $49.5 million contract.

The Tigers are adding a veteran arm to their rotation, agreeing to a one-year contract with Alex Cobb. Detroit has also been connected to Buehler.

The Phillies will sign closer Jordan Romano to a one-year contract.

One baseball insider believed that Corbin Burnes wanted to sign with the Dodgers, who inked Blake Snell to a long-term deal instead.

The Dodgers are still looking to add relief pitching after bringing back veteran right-hander Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million contract. Devin Williams is their current target, but Los Angeles could pivot to free agent Tanner Scott.

Los Angeles also signed outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year deal worth $7 million.

Giants reliever Camilo Doval is drawing strong interest from several teams.

Sasaki has been officially posted. The phenom will be available to sign as a free agent from Tuesday through 5 p.m. ET on January 23, 2025.

Dick Allen and Dave Parker have been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Classic Era Committee.

Extra innings

Welcome to the Cubs, Mr. Boyd.

"So grateful to be with the Cubs, it's really something that's special to me."

Matthew Boyd on signing with the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/ggIWAnNYA2

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) December 9, 2024

Bear-ly Breathing

The 49ers defeated the Bears 38-13 on Sunday, giving Chicago seven straight losses. However, the Monsters of the Midway have still not been eliminated from playoff contention.

They Said It

• “I’ve always thought [Boyd] had a really sneaky fastball. He just mixes the off-speed. Before the whole throw-your-best-pitch-more movement, I always thought he was a guy who was constantly mixing and rarely got beat on the fastball. I think there’s upside there. And if he’s healthy, he’s worth way more than what he got. Obviously, any signing is a risk with any pitcher, but I think he’s a safe bet to be worth that and be a really nice addition.” – Jameson Taillon
• “Pitching in the postseason last year was amazing, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to do that here. And those are the reasons that really brought me to being a Cub now.” – Boyd

Monday Walk-Up Song

All I want is a couple of Wrigley Field pressers officially announcing the acquisitions of Crochet and Sasaki.