“Have a Coke and a smile.” Coca-Cola t-shirt logo from the 1979 Baseball Winter Meetings – Toronto, Canada.

The biggest trade of the day came out of the Miami dumpster fire contingent, as Derek Jeter and his Marlins shipped OF Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis. There has been a measured amount of movement for the Tampa Bay Rays, including one small deal and the potential for others.

The Rays traded LHP Anthony Misiewicz, who was dealt to Tampa Bay from Seattle in August in the Ryan Garton deal. Now Misiewicz has been sent back to the Mariners organization. The deal allows Tampa Bay to net about $1-million in international cap space which likely will be used toward the acquisition of 16 year-old shortstop phenom Jelfry Marte.

Jesse Sanchez (MLB.com) initially reported that the Rays would sign the young shortstop out of the Dominican Republic. As I wrote yesterday, Marte is the third ranked international prospect behind Shohei Ohtani and Wander Franco, who signed with Tampa Bay in July. The cap space would also provide the Rays about $500 – 600 thousand more in international space to sign additional players.

We are excited about this one (trade), said Senior VP Chaim Bloom. Obviously the international market is someplace where you can get some really good upside, some high-end ability that is very far away but still has the ability to break through and really impact the club. We’re working on something that falls into that category.

Bloom also noted that the team has made progress on a few potential deals, and some conversations have reached more advanced stages.

We have a much better idea of what’s real and what isn’t, said Bloom. There’s nothing right at the finish line right now. I wouldn’t rule it out but there’s nothing at the one-yard line at this very moment.

The known known: Tampa Bay is at least listening to offers on most of its higher-paid players, although closer Alex Colome is expected to be the first to go, with the Cardinals a strong possibility. The Cubs, Mets and Rockies have also been among those interested.

The Twins and Rays have discussed right-hander Jake Odorizzi according to Mike Berardino (St. Paul Pioneer-Press), who added that Tampa Bay was not interested in Minnesota’s initial offer.

Meanwhile, Bill Brink (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) reported that the Yankees are “looking at” right-hander Chris Archer, but it is not clear whether the Rays will move him — especially to a division foe.

According to Bob Nightengale (USA Today) the Angels are close to acquiring a third baseman, and the reportedly have “strong interest” in new Padres third baseman Chase Headley. To that end, San Diego is “working very hard” to trade Headley, writes Buster Olney (ESPN), although he didn’t specify whether the Angels are involved. Why is this relevant? If the Angels ink a deal with Headley, they will definitely be out of the sensationalized running for Evan Longoria. I haven’t a clue why some writers feel the need to scrawl in hyperbole.

Finally, the Winter Meetings will come to an end Thursday with the Rule-5 Draft. Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) some projections have said the Rays will lose RHP Burch Smith and C Nick Ciuffo, while some believe Tampa Bay will just lose Smith.

We are braced for it, said Bloom. You never really want to believe anything is done until you hear the player’s name called.

Bloom told Solondz they prefer not to lose anyone, but when you leave someone off the 40-man roster you run that risk.

Should we lose someone (tomorrow) there’s still a chance we get them back, said Bloom. A big part of it is roster flexibility. You don’t want to get into next season and then need to create a roster spot for whatever reason and then you need to take someone off the roster who can be sent to the minor leagues by whomever wants to take him.

The Rays currently have 39 players on the on the roster, yet they have not decided whether to make a Rule-5 pick or not. That decision will depend upon how trade talks progress Thursday morning, ahead of the draft.

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