Writing from MLB's Winter Meetings: Day 2

The GM’s Perspective continues to update its followers on the happenings at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, and to say that this journey to Dallas was a good idea would be an understatement. 

I spent the majority of Day 2 in the SMWW Conference, which had some very impressive speakers:

John Mozeliak - St. Louis Cardinals Sr. Vice President and General Manager

Cory Schwartz - Vice President, Stats, MLB Advanced Media

Jayson Stark - ESPN Senior Baseball Writer

Rob Neyer - SB Nation National Baseball Editor and well-known author

Jay Miller - Texas Rangers Senior Vice President

Harold Reynolds - MLB Network Studio Analyst

Will Carroll - Contributer, SI.com

Craig Calcaterra - NBC Sports.com-Hardball Talk

Don Welke - Texas Rangers Senior Special Assistant to the GM and Scouting

Toney Howell - LA Dodgers, Special Assistant to the General Manager

Larry D'Amato - former scout for Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, NY Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds

Maury Brown - Biz of Baseball and SMWW Faculty

Tony Ciccolella - MLBPA Agent

Jeff Gray - Minnesota Twins Pitcher

Tracy Ringolsby - Baseball America and FoxSports.com. 2005 Spink Award winner (the highest award given by the Baseball Writers Assoc. of America)

Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President

Ryan Latham - Tacoma Rainiers Group Event Manager and SMWW Alumni

Michael Lawlor - Boston Red Sox Fan Services

Mark Smith - Oakland A's Minor League Video Coordinator and SMWW Alumni 

I want to thank the Lashbrooks for the opportunity to come to Dallas and take part in this wonderful experience. 

The atmosphere in the Hilton Anatole is something you have see and hear to really understand what is going on. For anyone involved in baseball, this is the place to be. I think I mentioned on Twitter that this is Christmas for me right now! 

For those looking for updates on the happenings down here, confirmed transactions since Day 1 include:

• Matt Capps re-signs with the Twins for one year w/option at $4.75M.
• Jerry Hairston signs two-year deal the Dodgers.
• Aaron Harang has signed a two-year deal with the Dodgers; numbers unconfirmed, while it is expected to be around the $12 million range.
• Kevin Slowey was traded to the Rockies from the Twins for a player to be named later.
• Sergio Santos returns to the Jays from the White Sox for Nestor Molina.

The big story in Dallas continues to be Albert Pujols and his impending signing with the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have offered a 10-year deal (monetary values are unclear) that is contingent on a no-trade clause. Will a compromise occur? I’m not exactly sure; however, the Cardinals are apparently in discussions with Pujols’ agent at this time, but it does appear something will be finalized by the end of Day 3. 

I will continue to keep you posted on the experience and the wheeling and dealings down here. I thank you for your continued interest, and if you are at the Winter Meetings, send me a message on Twitter @devonteeple and let’s connect.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals and Gateway Grizzlies and is now an independent scout.