NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- It's a baseball holiday tradition. As the Winter Meetings ended Thursday morning with the Rule 5 Draft, the staff at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center gradually replaced baseball-themed placards with holiday decorations, and all the soft and hard sell that they entail.
Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich understands the spirit.
The Rockies leave this year's Meetings having landed -- unconfirmed by the club and pending a physical -- free-agent right-handed hitter Ian Desmond, but with their shopping incomplete.
They still need impact arms in the late innings, and it isn't clear whether the Rockies will plug Desmond into their void at first base or clear a spot for him in the outfield by making a trade.