MLB Bullets Heats Up The Winter

It's another Monday. There's no way that I can link to every trade rumor and free agent signing, although I'll try to hit all the big ones. I'm more interested in bringing you the analysis of the moves that the actual news, which you've probably heard already anyway.

• You probably heard that Zack Greinke signed with the Diamondbacks. If not, my condolences on the coma you suffered. I'm glad you're better now. Jamal Collier thinks the Greinke signing makes Arizona a contender.
• Bill Shaikin calls the Greinke signing is a body blow to the Dodgers fan base, who didn't expect the Dodgers to be outbid by a mid-market team like the Diamondbacks.
• Mark Saxon explains that the Dodgers just don't think it makes sense to give pitchers Greinke's age a six-year deal.
• Ken Rosenthal thinks the Dodgers big mistake was not letting Greinke go, but not trading for Cole Hamels over the summer.
• David Brown wonders what the Dodgers think they are going to spend all that money on now that Price and Greinke are gone.
• One answer is that they're agreed to terms with Hisashi Iwakuma.
• The Dodgers are also deep in trade talks to acquire Aroldis Chapman.
• And the Dodgers signed Chase Utley to a one-year deal. Mark Saxon explains why the Dodgers decided to keep Utley around.
• David Schoenfield breaks down the Giants deal for Jeff Samardzija.
• Jay Jaffe thinks the Giants overpaid for Samardzija.
• Jeff Sullivan thinks the Giants are gambling as much on their pitching coach Dave Righetti and his ability to fix Samardzija as they are on Samardzija.
• J.J. Cooper argues that the careers of Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Samardzija illustrate why if you've got a choice between playing football or baseball, the smart move is to play baseball.
• Why is David Price so good?
• Darren O'Day refutes reports that he's agreed to a deal with the Orioles, although it sounds like he's being cautious because the Orioles are known for nixing deals after physicals. Normally we say "pending a physical" and that's just a formality, but it's not with Baltimore.
• The Tigers signed Mike Pelfrey and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
• The Cardinals, having lost out on Price, Samardzija and John Lackey, are rumored to be interested in signing Mike Leake, although he may prefer to sign with the Diamondbacks.
• The Royals are pursuing Scott Kazmir.
• David O'Brien tells why the Braves are interested in signing Ben Zobrist and why Zobrist might want to play for Atlanta, besides money.
• The Athletics are reportedly very interested in Korean outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim, who is a free agent.
• Ryan Madson has signed with Oakland.
• Nick Cafardo's Sunday notes column has a preview for each team at the Winter Meetings.
• Richard Justice lists five teams likely to dominate the Winter Meetings. Cubs are not on the list.
• Jonathan Papelbon has filed a grievance against the Nationals for withholding his pay for the four games he was suspended. Traditionally, players are only docked pay when suspended by MLB, not by their team.
• While some commentators might not like it, several Marlins players seem excited to have Barry Bonds as their new hitting coach.
• Neil Paine explains there is no reason to think Barry Bonds will be a good hitting coach.
• Adam Dorhauer has a pretty good short history of baseball's reserve clause.
• MLB is suing NASCAR over the name "Mudsummer Classic." Because that's what lawyers do.
• Billy Hamilton wanted to stop switch-hitting but the Reds said no.
• Sarah Wexler tries to determine the veracity of a famous story from baseball's 19th Century history involving Mike "King" Kelly.
• A breakdown all all home runs in major league history by country of origin. For the player, not the ball, of course.
• And finally, the White Sox put the organ of longtime organist Nancy Faust up for auction. It was purchased by the organist at Fenway Park.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.