How does the market look after the meetings?

With the conclusion of the General Managers’ Meetings, the first major event of the 2021-22 offseason ended.

Executives from all 30 teams were in Carlsbad, California for three days for industry meetings, though they found time to chat with each other and with player representatives to set the table for the winter moves.

Here are three things we learned from the GG meetings, which mark the beginning of the era of signatures and changes:

What will motivate Correa?

Carlos Correa is the best free agent available this winter. Judging by what was said in the meetings, the shortstop will have many options, the question is whether any of those options will be all that the Puerto Rican shortstop is looking for.

“He’s going to get paid, there’s no question about that,” said an American League executive. But where will it come from? And will he really want to play for the team that is willing to give him the biggest sum?

Many believe the Tigers will be the most aggressive when it comes to signing Correa. Detroit took a big step forward in 2021 and they will try to continue down that path in 2022.

Correa played for manager AJ Hinch in Houston, which gives Detroit a weapon when it comes to courting the Puerto Rican. But some wonder if he wants to play for a Tigers team that may be a year or two away from fighting.

“We are talking about a boy who has done nothing but win his entire career,” said a National League team. “He wasn’t there when the Astros were bad. Will he want to sign with a team that is not ready to win when he arrives? “

The Yankees are looking for a shortstop, though they are believed to prefer Corey Seager, whose left-handed bat would be a better fit in their lineup than Correa. But that doesn’t mean the Bronx 9th won’t consider Correa, as they met with his representative this week.

Other big-market teams like the Dodgers, Mets and White Sox wouldn’t be among Correa’s suitors. The Angels are more focused on adding pitch than other hit hitters.

The Astros have offered Correa a five-year contract valued at $ 160 million, but the Puerto Rican is seeking a deal closer to the 10-year, $ 341 million contract that Francisco Lindor signed with the Mets last season. Correa is likely to find a team that costs him, but it remains to be seen what that team will be – and if it is one that Correa wants to join.

While free agents such as Correa, Seager, Max Scherzer and Kris Bryant received a lot of attention this week, General Manager Meetings traditionally serve to prepare for winter changes.

According to several sources, two teams that are expected to be active when it comes to changes are the Athletics and Reds, who could sell big in the coming weeks.

“It looks like those two teams could get rid of the whole world this winter,” said a National League executive. “If you don’t want to invest in free agency and you have prospects to offer, then there are a lot of good players available.”

For Oakland, that starts with Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Francellis Montás, who are entering the second of their three seasons of eligibility for salary arbitration. Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt could also be traded, as they can become free agents when the 2022 season ends.

Some Cincinnati players will be nearly impossible to change, like Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas and Eugenio Suárez. But starters Tyler Mahle and Luis Castillos (both are beginning the second of their three years of refereeing) and Sonny Gray ($ 10 million in 2022, $ 12 million club option by 2023) could be trading chips. attractive.

Good signs for Javy

Correa and Seager are considered the two best shortstops available this winter, but there was a lot of talk about Puerto Rican Javier Báez in the meetings.

The Mets met with representatives for Baez on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of the infielder returning with the Queens ninth, but sources indicated that the Puerto Rican market is much deeper than expected.

“He may not get as much money as Correa and Seager, but there are a lot of teams that would love to add him to their lineup,” said an American League executive. “He’s been on the big stage, he won a World Series, he can play second base or short stops and yes, he strikes out a lot, but his talent is not in doubt.”

If Baez returned to the Mets, he would take over second base alongside Lindor, as he did when New York acquired him from the Cubs at the trade deadline. Other teams are probably looking at Baez as shortstop only, though Mariners GG Jerry Dipoto has said he plans to drop JP Crawford at second base even if he goes for one of the shortstop free agents, whom they would only sign if he’s willing to move to second or third.