Outside The Confines: So much for Winter Meetings excitement

Well, folks, I did you wrong by suggesting we might see something exciting go down this week during virtual Winter Meetings, but alas, it seems the Zoom was more of a Fizzle as far as it went with signing free agents. We saw the Rays trade a Lowe to the Rangers, but it was not MVP-candidate Brandon Lowe, but rather Nate Lowe. Lance Lynn was traded to the White Sox, which has the internet ablaze on the team’s behalf, but aside from that (and lots of rumors) there were no superstar moves to be see.

The Rule 5 Draft on Thursday concluded the week’s events, and leaves us all wondering just when something, anything might start to happen on the free agent market.

It would certainly help of Rob Manfred and MLB on high could decide once and for all on which of the new rules (specifically the universal DH) will be staying or going, rather than heavily hinting at things.

• In probably the biggest bit of news, the Phillies have a new president. Curious to see if this nets them a World Series in the next two years.

• Joe Posnanski continues his look back on those left out of the Hall of Fame in posts here and here. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• AJ Hinch and the Detroit Tigers might be just what each other need for a redemption arc, writes Pedro Gomez.
• There were a few winners and losers of this week’s Winter Meetings and Matt Snyder recaps what little we saw.
• From our Rays sister site DRaysBay, Danny Russell calls out the recent comments of Rays owner Stuart Sternberg.
• At least seven major league pitchers (including someone on the Cubs) could be considered trade candidates this offseason, according to R.J. Anderson.
• David Schoenfield wonders which offseason star will be the first to sign and get free agency rolling.
• Mike Axisa and the CBS MLB staff take a look at the White Sox moves and wonder if they’ll be the team to beat this year in the AL Central.
• Jesse Rogers likewise spotlights the White Sox moves, but says they shouldn’t stop now.
• There were a lot of new names brought up in the Rule 5 Draft yesterday, so Eric Longenhagen gives us a Rule 5 scouting report.
• In light of the recent passing of Dick Allen, Stephanie Apstein points out that the Hall of Fame must move with more urgency to elect eligible Eras players while they’re still alive.
• Andy McCullough answers the impossible question of which World Series team of the last decade was the best. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Jay Jaffe continues his Hall of Fame candidate exploration with Manny Ramirez.
• Stephanie Apstein looks at how MLB’s lack of ability to commit to new rules is hurting the 2020 free agents.
• Congrats to Al Michaels!

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