We're into the second full week of January and now we have reporting dates to spring training for each of the 30 teams. Yet the offseason doesn't seem nearly as complete as the last several years and that's because far more free agents remain unsigned, possibly making the trade market not near as hot as it could be.
Let's take a look at everything that went down the last two days or so.
Roster moves
Cardinals: They signed late-innings reliever Seung-hwan Oh for around $5 million. Related: He has an awesome nickname.
Diamondbacks: Reliever Wesley Wright has been signed to a minor-league deal, reports Arizona's Triple-A affiliate.
Pirates: Reliever Daniel Bard has been signed (Rob Biertempfel), presumably to a minor-league deal.
Reds: They have agreed to sign 21-year-old Cuban shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez for $6 million, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
Rumors, reports and speculation
A's: We've seen ace Sonny Gray's name in trade rumors for the better part of a year, but GM Billy Beane really doesn't want to deal him (via csnbayarea.com).
“We were adamant that we wanted to hold on to Sonny,” Beane said. “I don’t think any GM can ever say, ‘This is never gonna happen.’ That being said, we have resisted some pretty aggressive suitors this winter and anticipate that being the case going forward. The guy’s a No. 1 starter, a two-plus (year player in terms of service time), an anchor for any staff, and particularly ours.
"(Trading him) has never been our intention going into this winter, and I would say that would be the case for the foreseeable future.”
So they'll need to be knocked over in order to trade him.
Marlins: They are looking at some veteran right-handed hitters, including Jeff Francoeur (Jon Heyman).
Orioles: The club is considering starter Gavin Floyd as a spring training invitee (Rich Dubroff).
Padres: Brandon Maurer will get a shot at the rotation this season, while Jon Edwards and Kevin Quackenbush are the favorites to close (padres.com).
Gerardo Parra: The Rockies are in pursuit of the free agent outfielder along with the Angels and one other unidentified team (rockies.com). We've previously discussed the Rockies possibly wanting to sign Parra in order to deal Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon or Corey Dickerson for pitching.
Pirates: Jung Ho Kang has been playing long toss and is hopeful to return sometime in April (triblive.com).
Tigers: Ryan Raburn is "in play" to help fill their left field void (Anthony Fenech).
Yankees: As expected, Aroldis Chapman will be the closer this season.
Miscellany
Cuban defectors: Randy Arozarena and Lazaro Armenteros have both been declared eligible to sign with MLB teams, beginning Feb. 10. Baseball America profiles the two and Armenteros seems particularly intriguing as a 16 year old.
