The Cincinnati Reds went to the Winter Meetings with a plan to trade Brandon Phillips and get some veteran catching help. Instead of getting veteran catching help, they drafted a catcher in the Rule 5 Draft. The Reds also appeared close to trading Billy Hamilton, but the deal died off.
The deal appeared closest to being done when the Rangers added in set-up man Jeremy Jeffress to the mix. The Rangers also asked about starting pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Dan Straily, but the Hamilton angle had the most heat. The deal quickly feel apart when the Washington Nationals acquired Adam Eaton from the Chicago White Sox.