In Ft. Worth, Jeff Wilson notes the Rangers' payroll in '18 will be around $150M, "down as much" as $25M from a season ago. So it will be an "upset" if the Rangers "steal the spotlight this week" at MLB's Winter Meetings. Money is on Rangers President of Baseball Operations & GM Jon Daniels' mind this offseason after playing the '17 season with "more money than he has ever had" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/12).
NOT QUITE YET: In Newark, Abbey Mastracco notes MLB's free agent market for relievers is "deep this season, but the Mets aren't jumping in it right away." The Mets "clearly" plan on "slashing" payroll. Their operating budget is "projected to be around the league average." Mets GM Sandy Alderson said, "We're not going to chase players. There are a lot of guys out there. ... We think there's some values out there, and to the extent that the market gets overheated. I wouldn't think that we'll jump into the inferno" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/12).
SPEEDING UP THE PROCESS? In Tampa, Marc Topkin writes the Yankees' formal introduction of Giancarlo Stanton "could be an accelerant to the departure" of Rays 3B Evan Longoria and some "familiar for-the-moment teammates, as the Rays acknowledge and accept that the gap between them and the best team in their division is now a gulf." Rays manager Kevin Cash said, "It’s a challenge. They made it a little more challenging now with their latest acquisition." Rays officials are "already considering whether to deal away a number of veterans" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/12).
