December 05, 2022
The MLB's hot stove has heated up from simmering some sweet onions for a Philly cheesesteak to piping hot enough to sear a ribeye.
In the wake of Jacob deGrom's monster signing with the Rangers this weekend, the floodgates could be wide open early this week as baseball's winter meetings continue in San Diego.
The Phillies have made no secrets about their intention to improve and try to defend their 2022 NL pennant, and they are expected to sign one of the top four infielders available in free agency. Reports from The Athletic confirm that the team met with Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts on Friday, and the team likely has already met with Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson.
From MLB.com:
Turner has been connected to the Phillies for weeks, while the Twins are hopeful to bring Correa back on a new long-term deal. The markets for Bogaerts and Swanson appear to be broad, though new suitors could emerge based on other signings.
It would be surprising if at least one of the shortstops didn’t sign during the Winter Meetings, and once the first domino falls, the others could follow suit quickly. [MLB.com]
Which of the four they sign is the biggest remaining question. It sounds as though Turner is the team's top preference, but he's been drawing a ton of interest from around the league's contenders — particularly from the NLCS losers, the Padres.
Correa is the youngest and is just as talented as Turner, and will command just as big a deal. Bogaerts is a little more defensively challenged and Swanson is an ace defender whose bat is slightly behind the other three. All are seen as an upgrade over the internal options.
No matter which way the Phillies go, they'll be addressing their defensive issues and adding an offensive threat to the lineup.
With the meetings in southern California slated to wrap up Wednesday, it's completely possible there is a new Phillie stud on the roster in the next few days.
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