NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- Baseball's Winter Meetings came to end on Thursday and there were 10 trades consummated over four days involving 31 players at The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
However, plenty of moves are still to be made between now and the time teams begin spring training in the middle of February.
Here is a list of five players to keep an eye on through the remainder of the offseason and a prediction on what will happen with each player:
LHP Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds had a deal in place early in the week to send the left-handed closer to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Then Yahoo! Sports reported Monday night that 10 police officers were needed to quell a domestic disturbance after Chapman allegedly choked his girlfriend on Oct. 30 at their Davie, Fla., home and Chapman also allegedly fired eight gun shots. The police did not press charges because of a lack of evidence but then reopened the case Tuesday.
That news caused the trade to be scuttled and it won't be revisited. In fact, it may be difficult for the Reds to find any takers now that Chapman faces potential discipline under the new domestic abuse policy formulate by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Predicted move: The Reds hold on to Chapman, let the legal process play out, then try to trade him again at the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.
1B-DH Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
The first baseman entered free agency coming off a season in which he led the major leagues with 47 home runs.
The Baltimore Orioles met with agent Scott Boras here in an attempt to re-sign the slugger but their seven-year, $168-million was rejected. Davis is said to be seeking an eight-year, $200-million deal but there doesn't seem to anyone to go that high as a St. Louis Cardinals' source told The Sports Xchange that they are interested in the 29-year-old "but not at that price."
Beyond the Orioles and Cardinals, nobody has emerged as a serious threat to sign Davis. That might seem to indicate he will have to settle for less than his asking price but Boras usually gets his clients top dollar.
Predicted move: Davis follows his heart, tells Boras to go back to the Orioles and take their offer.
RHP Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins keep saying they will not trade the 23-year-old right-hander. Yet his name has popped in enough rumors it's fair to wonder if at least some fire is beneath all the smoke.
The Arizona Diamondbacks made a serious run at Fernandez this week before instead trading for Atlanta Braves righty Shelby Miller. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees also have strong interest and have the prospect capital to swing a deal if so inclined.
Predicted move: The Dodgers make a sweet enough offer, headlined by center fielder Joc Pederson and top pitching prospect Julio Urias, enticing the Marlins to trade Fernandez.
OF Jason Heyward, St. Louis Cardinals
The multi-talented right fielder is the rare player who has reached free agency while just hitting what should be the prime years of his career at age 26.
The Cardinals would love to re-sign him after acquiring him last winter in a trade for Miller and right-handed pitching prospect Tyrell Jenkins. The Los Angeles Angels also covet Heyward and spent all week trying to make trades in order to clear salary and have enough money to make a strong bid.
Like Davis, though, Heyward doesn't have a lot of suitors as he is expected to wind up commanding a 10-year, $200-million contract. Speculation persists the Yankees will eventually enter the fray but GM Brian Cashman shot that idea down this week and it appears that the Chicago Cubs are lurking.
Predicted move: Angels owner Arte Moreno usually gets his man and signs Heyward for 10 years and $250 million.
OF Justin Upton, San Diego Padres
The 28-year-old outfielder is a cheaper power-hitting alternative to Davis and Heyward. His market, too, has been slow to develop, though it could heat up once Davis and Heyward go off the board.
The Angels have been the team most often linked to Upton but a club source said the reports of their interest "have been somewhat overblown."
The San Francisco Giants are a good fit as they have both the need and the money while the Orioles figure to jump in if they don't re-sign Davis. There are some inside the industry who believe the Marlins will make a late run if they are able to trade center fielder Marcell Ozuna for a starting pitcher.
Predicted move: The Giants get the big bat they need with a seven-year, $140 million contract.
---
Senior writer John Perrotto is The Sports Xchange's baseball insider. He has covered Major League Baseball since 1988.
