Chicago Cubs largely quiet on Day One of the Winter Meetings

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 07: Chicago Cubs general manager Theo Epstein stands on the field during batting practice before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Along with the other 29 teams, the Chicago Cubs were quiet on the first day of the Winter Meetings in Orlando – one day after signing Brandon Morrow.

After a weekend including a blockbuster trade of the reigning National League MVP and a pair of Chicago Cubs free agent signings, the first day of the Winter Meetings passed relatively quietly.

The biggest headline of the day? The New York Yankees introducing their newest star, Giancarlo Stanton, in Orlando. The slugger offered up his candid thoughts on the new regime in South Beach, while admonishing his new organization. Outside of his remarks, no major headlines came out of the first day.

Rumors, of course, persisted. The New York Mets are reportedly shopping right-hander Matt Harvey. At Fenway Park, the Red Sox want a power bat – and are willing to trade Jackie Bradley Jr. to make that happen. One team connected to Boston? The Cubs.

Carlos Santana continues to garner interest from several clubs, as well. The former Cleveland Indians first baseman hits the open market and represents a mid-tier offensive weapon on the market.

Here’s a collection of rumors and updates from Day One of the Winter Meetings.

Mets’ Matt Harvey could be gone by week’s end

For some time, the New York Mets and right-hander Matt Harvey have maintained a semi-tenuous relationship. Based on reports, it looks like, with one year left on his deal, he may be done in the Big Apple.

Harvey, 28, once appeared poised to be one of the game’s best starting pitchers. Instead, he’s faded badly over the past two seasons. Since 2016, the righty owns a 4.92 FIP, 71 ERA+ and 1.581 WHIP across 185 1/3 innings of work. That body of work looks vastly different from his first three big-league seasons.

In that stretch, Harvey pitched to a 2.53 earned run average and 146 ERA+ in 427 frames. Of course, this lined up with the Mets’ emergence as a promising threat in the NL East. Injuries took their toll and what looked like a historic rotation has never found its rhythm since.

Both the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles have been connected to Harvey Monday. Texas is in heavy on the starting pitching market – with links to virtually every starter out there. This includes former Cubs hurler Jake Arrieta and Chicago target Alex Cobb, as well.

Baltimore, meanwhile, is notorious for being cautious on long-term commitments to starters – or pitchers in general. A one-year flyer on someone like Harvey makes a lot of sense for a team in need of quality arms.

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 08: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during game three of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 8, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Conflicting reports coming out of Boston regarding Jackie Bradley Jr.

Monday morning, rumors indicated Boston could be open to shopping Jackie Bradley Jr. In return, the Red Sox were reportedly seeking a power bat – a la Javier Baez or Kyle Schwarber.

Later in the evening, Dave Dombrowski denied that the team was shopping Bradley. Still, it brings the spotlight to the reigning AL East champions. This club fought off the Yankees, only to see their rival bring in one of the most feared hitters in the game before the Winter Meetings even opened.

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Boston has to answer in some way. Whether that’s adding big via free agency or pulling off a blockbuster of their own, the Red Sox have work to do. As far as connecting them to the Cubs, things make very little sense.

Any big trades involving prime position players on the North Side will focus around pitching – not an outfielder. The team boasts Albert Almora Jr. in center field already – and, by most measures, he was a better offensive player than Bradley last season. JBJ had him with the leather, but, as we’ve talked about before, Almora is going to be an elite defender.

Don’t go to bed expecting a bombshell deal between these two teams. On paper, I can’t make it make sense. The Cubs have bigger needs – and what Boston reportedly shopped doesn’t make any sense.

Derek Jeter continues to tear apart the Miami Marlins

If I were Derek Jeter, I might lay low for awhile when I get back to South Florida.

The new owner of the Miami Marlins already traded two key players in Dee Gordon and Giancarlo Stantons (to his former team in the New York Yankees, no less). Now, he’s working with a quarter of the league in talks on outfielder Marcell Ozuna.

The bad news for the Cubs? Two of the top three teams with reported interest: the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals. Obviously, the Cardinals are seeking to unseat the Cubs atop the Central, while Washington represents one of Chicago’s biggest threats in the National League.

Ozuna comes with two years of control and is coming off the best season of his career. He slashed .312/.376/.548 and smacked a career-best 37 home runs. He smacked 191 hits and drove in over 100 runs for the first time. With pretty much any team, he represents a significant offensive upgrade.

Christian Yellich comes with a much steeper price tag given his five years of control. So expect more teams in on Ozuna, even if they’re facing a tighter budget.

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 06: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cleveland Indians runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Bruce, Cole and others available with wide interest

While things remain fairly quiet, here is a quick round-up from some of the rest of Day One:

Outfielder Jay Bruce is drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Rockies, Mariners and the Mets.
Scott Boras wants Boston to blow up free agency and sign two big bats.
Cubs have at least some degree of interest in Matt Harvey.
First baseman Matt Adams is drawing wide interest after being non-tendered by Atlanta.

Next: Cubs front office too high on Schwarber to consider trading him

It seems like the groundwork is being laid for some deals later in the week. For now, it’s all about keeping an eye on the Hot Stove, which, after a scalding-hot weekend, has tempered off a bit as the Winter Meetings began.

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