Dallas – Those who walked outside the Wyndham Anatole on Thursday were greeted with a wind that chilled to the marrow in their bones.
It was appropriate for winter meetings that were defined by general managers afraid of being left out in the cold. The increasing difficulty of addressing needs during the season and a shallow free-agent class triggered a plethora of trades.
“There was not a lot out there,” St. Louis Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. “And sometimes a deal is the best way to go. It’s been kind of nice to see. It’s the way it should be.”
The flurry left few untouched, from the Atlanta Braves landing Edgar Renteria – at $21 million less than Rafael Furcal over the next three years – to the Toronto Blue Jays acquiring Lyle Overbay to the Pittsburgh Pirates nabbing Sean Casey to the Washington Nationals obtaining Alfonso Soriano.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, meanwhile, told The Associated Press he wants to be traded.
Winter wrap
Free agents commanded attention Thursday, with controversial pitcher Kenny Rogers signing a two-year, $16 million deal with Detroit, where he will join $11 million closer Todd Jones. Pitcher Elmer Dessens went to the Kansas City Royals for $3.4 million over two years, third baseman Jose Valentin signed with the New York Mets for $912,000 and former Rockies outfielder Mark Sweeney got $1.75 million from the San Francisco Giants for two years.
Footnotes
With the Rockies dropping their request for a third-year club option, look for Brian Fuentes to sign a two-year, $5.5 million deal soon. Talks also are progressing well on a multiyear deal for pitcher Aaron Cook. …
Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk lost out to Tommy John for the Chicago White Sox’s radio job and will happily remain in his current position.
“This wasn’t something I went after,” Quirk said, “but things kind of started falling into place, and I thought I owed it to myself to see where it went.” …
Colorado is interested in California Angels Double-A infielder Alberto Callaspo. …
The Cincinnati Reds acquired second baseman Tony Womack from the New York Yankees, likely to re-sign Bernie Williams as a fourth outfielder. …
Jocketty said outfielder Larry Bigbie will be given a chance to compete for a starting job, while infielder Aaron Miles is in the Cardinals’ mix with Deivi Cruz and Hector Luna for second base and a utility role.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
