4 moves we would like to see during MLB Winter Meetings

In late November, Molina told Laura A. Bonnelly V. of Mas Que Pelota that he's received interest from the Cardinals, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres. While the nine-time All-Star did tell ESPN's Marly Rivera in April that he would be willing to leave the Cardinals if that was his only opportunity to extend his career, it doesn't appear it will come to that. RADIO.COM MLB Insider Jon Heyman has said that Molina would like to sign a two-year deal this winter, and at last check, the Cardinals are willing to commit to multiple years with the 38-year-old. Unless something changes drastically, it feels inevitable that Molina will return to St. Louis for an 18th season.

Mike Trout has won two American League MVPs since the last time that the Angels reached the postseason. As he enters his age-29 season, a lineup built around him and Anthony Rendon is ready to compete for a World Series right now. Unfortunately, the Angels' pitching isn't at that level yet, meaning new general manager Perry Minasian will need to be aggressive in his pursuit of pitching upgrades. Los Angeles native Trevor Bauer would be a tremendous target in free agency, but he'll have multiple other suitors and even his addition alone wouldn't guarantee the Angels return to the postseason in 2021. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has reported that the Rays are open to trading Snell, and said the Angels are one team that's interested. While it would take quite a package to land Snell, he's still only 28 and owed just $39 million over the next three seasons. Acquiring Snell and/or Bauer would be the Angels' best path to not wasting all of Trout's peak.

RADIO.COM MLB Insider Jon Heyman has connected six potential suitors to McCann, though the Mets seem to be at the forefront of his sweepstakes. The 30-year-old has spent the last two seasons with the Chicago White Sox, but Andy Martino of SNY reported early last week that the Mets' interest in McCann was viewed as "potentially serious." Robert Murray of FanSided followed up later in the week, saying that the two sides were in "active negotiations," and suggesting that McCann may ultimately land a four-year deal. If McCann signs with the Mets, it would not only solve their need at the catching position, but suggest that the team may make a serious push for George Springer and/or Trevor Bauer. Additionally, if the Mets sign McCann, it would mean they won't ultimately make a push for J.T. Realmuto, adding some clarity to the market of arguably the top free agent available.

Giants' president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi told the collective media, including Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, that the team "made calls on quite a few guys" that were non-tendered last week. One potentially interesting target among that group, as Anthony Franco noted on MLB Trade Rumors, would be reliever Archie Bradley. The 28-year-old was non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds, but that appears to simply have been a case of a team uninterested in paying his salary in 2021. After being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks during the season, Bradley posted a 1.17 ERA in six appearances, helping the Reds to reach the postseason. Dating back to his time as manager in Philadelphia, Gabe Kapler is keen on relievers that can be used as closers, but also could pitch multiple innings elsewhere if that's where he deems the highest-leverage situation in the game to be. Bradley has demonstrated that ability in the past, and could become a trade chip for the Giants if they aren't ultimately able to contend in 2021.