LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Reds came to 2017 Winter Meetings willing to listen on trades and with the hope of advancing talks with free agents. On that front, general manager Dick Williams was able to do what he expected. However, no big deals were made.
In the early days of the Meetings, the Reds were in talks with the Giants about a potential trade of center fielder Billy Hamilton. As of Thursday, they could not advance the negotiations. Reportedly, they also heard offers for left fielder Adam Duvall as the club is looking to open a corner-outfield spot for prospect Jesse Winker.
"I feel good about the conversations that we had and the discussions we had, back and forth, with other teams. A lot of good information was exchanged," Williams said as he departed. "Whether it gets us any closer to a transaction remains to be seen, but there was a lot of good dialogue."
What's next
Williams would still like to add relievers and a backup shortstop. The Reds often make such deals in January when the price for free agents goes down. A few relievers were signed around the league this week, in the two-year and $15 million range, but Cincinnati isn't looking to go that high and expects the market to come back to it.
"We're real active trying to find some bullpen help," Williams said. "I think we're making headway there."
If the reliever added is capable of starting, the Reds would welcome the chance to have added depth to pick up innings in case there is heavy injury attrition like there has been over the past two seasons.
The Reds will likely continue to listen on offers for Hamilton and Duvall. But they don't feel compelled to move either player, as they would be comfortable going with a rotation of four outfielders in the upcoming season.
Rule 5 activity
Right-handed pitcher Brad Keller was taken from the D-backs' Double-A roster, but he was immediately flipped in a trade to the Royals for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
In the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Reds lost Double-A right-handed pitcher Eduardo Rivera to the Giants and right-hander Sandy Lugo to the Twins. Lugo pitched at Class A Advanced Daytona and Class A Dayton last season. They also selected third baseman Mitch May from the Blue Jays' Double-A roster.
GM's bottom line
"A good, free exchange of information back and forth. It will get us closer to figuring out what we might do. I would say similar progress to last year." -- Williams