Paul Articulates – The winter meetings are about to commence

We are only days away from the MLB winter meetings, which will be held this year in Dallas, TX.  This is always an exciting time for baseball fans because it brings together owners and key front office players from all the teams – which creates opportunity for trades and free agent signings.  

I use the term “opportunity” because sometimes everything breaks loose and sometimes the waiting game outlasts the meetings.  There will be MLB executives, representatives from every major league team and 120 minor league affiliates, international representatives, player agents, and more in the building.

The winter meetings are more than just a social platform for GMs to discuss trades.  It includes several different agenda items including:

• GM meetings – this is where the trades and signings happen.

• Seminars and networking events – updates on technology, rules, and other business.

• Trade show – many companies will be displaying their latest products.

• Job fair – many teams are looking to fill positions from administrative jobs to analytics, health science and even internships.  Many interviews and hirings are held on the premises.

• Rule 5 draft – teams get the opportunity to “poach” players from other organizations that have not been protected on their 40-man roster.  Read our post from last year for the special rules.

• MLB draft lottery – the selection order is determined here for the July 2025 draft.

We will all have our ear to the ground to find out if the Juan Soto signing is announced.  Although not guaranteed to happen during the winter meetings, the signing is expected to be the tipping point for much of the other free agent activity.  The clubs still in the running for Soto will have either a big hole in their pocket if they “win” or a lot of money to spend on other free agents if they “lose”.

The Mets will be a big player in these meetings, as they have money and they have needs.  They have been working a bottoms-up approach to building their pitching staff so far, but this is a time to also work the top end of the rotation.  Big names like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea, and Tanner Scott are still available.

With all the groundwork laid during countless meetings and strategy sessions during the last several weeks, the Mets’ front office team is prepared to go make something happen next week. The team’s future trajectory depends on it.  Stay tuned.