What happened: Major League Baseball general manager meetings serve as the primary groundwork for constructing offseason trades. Front-office executives utilize the annual gathering to open preliminary talks, assess roster needs, and establish player valuations across the league.

Why it matters: Conversations initiated during the meetings establish baseline parameters for player movement ahead of winter business. These initial negotiations frame market expectations for front offices before formal deals materialize later in the offseason.

What to watch: League executives will continue discussions as trade talks progress leading into the Winter Meetings.