MLB GM Meetings Day One In Review

The hysteria has begun. The 2014 MLB GM meetings began Monday and the rumors started flying fast. There was little actual movement today but there is plenty to talk about.

For those of you who are just getting home or hadn’t heard the latest, we’ve got your update here.

Michael Cuddyer signs with Mets

For those of you that wanted Michael Cuddyer to sign with the Mariners this offseason, my condolences. For those that wanted to avoid him like the plague, you got your wish.

The free agent 1B/OF signed a 2-year $21M contract with the New York Mets Monday, effectively rejecting his $15.3M qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies.

Many insiders projected that Cuddyer – a surprise recipient of the offer – would take the qualifying offer and try to sign a multi-year deal after next season.

But the Mets felt that giving up the 15th overall pick in June’s draft was worth getting the 35-year old for the next two seasons.

No one takes qualifying offer

For the 3rd year in a row, no player that received a qualifying offer, accepted the offer. The only one that comes as much of a surprise was that of Cuddyer.

More from Mariners Rumors

• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• How the Mariners could swing a trade for Fernando Tatis Jr
• What it would take for the Mariners to trade for Randy Arozarena
• Mariners News: Everything from Day One of the Winter Meetings
• Is Xander Bogaerts Still An Option For The Seattle Mariners?

So now, teams that wish to sign one of the following: Max Scherzer, Victor Martinez, Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, James Shields, Russell Martin, Nelson Cruz, David Robertson, Ervin Santana, Francisco Liriano or Melky Cabrera  will have to forfeit their first-round draft pick.

That is unless that team’s pick is one of the first 11 “protected” picks. Those teams are Arizona, Houston (two picks), Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, Boston, both Chicago teams, Philadelphia and Cincinnati.

Rookie of the year winners announced

Chicago White Sox 1B Jose Abreu was the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year. Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom was the winner of the NL award.

I’m only a little surprised that Roenis Elias didn’t get any votes. Did I think he should have won? Absolutely not. But to not even get a single vote is a bit surprising to me.

Just goes to show you how strong of a rookie class it was this year.

Ichiro rumors continue to swirl

Ichiro Suzuki changed representation. He is now being represented by John Boggs after having been previously represented by Tony Attanasio.

Not sure what sparked the switch. But Ichiro’s name continues to come up on occasion as a person of interest for Seattle as a 4th outfielder.

He may be looking for a team that can give him a shot at starting though. Hopefully, Seattle isn’t that team.

Mariners want Hanley Ramirez really bad

We’ve been talking about it for a few weeks. Hanley Ramirez could be the best right-handed option the Mariners have this offseason. Turns out, they may be thinking the same thing.

I’m still not convinced that I want him at shortstop. I’d rather him switch to 1B or be the DH, but if the Mariners do in fact want him next to Robinson Cano both in the middle of the infield and in the lineup, that may mean that Brad Miller or Chris Taylor will be made available for a trade.

Add Justin Upton to the mix

Finally, I will leave you with the update that Jon Heyman of CBS Sports gave.

So Justin Upton removed the Mariners from his no-trade list. Does that open up the possibility of a Justin Upton to Seattle Part 2?

Not sure. It would most certainly cost the Mariners less this time around, seeing as they only get one guaranteed year of service out of Upton.

I touched on the possibility of an Upton trade recently. Only time will tell if it becomes reality.

Be sure to keep up to date with all of the movement with our Free Agent Tracker.