LEADING OFF: What to watch at the baseball winter meetings

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A look at what’s happening today at the baseball winter meetings in Oxon Hill, Maryland:

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WASHINGTON DAY SALE

Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale could have a new place to pitch real soon, and it might be the ballpark right across the Potomac River. The NL East champion Washington Nationals are trying hard to close a deal for the 27-year-old lefty.

THE SCHWARBER SITUATION

Kyle Schwarber was a huge hit in the World Series, returning from a severe knee injury that cost him nearly the entire regular season and then batting .412 as the Chicago Cubs beat Cleveland.

Now, will the converted catcher hurt in an outfield collision ever catch again?

“There is no question that he will want to do it and can do it,” general manager Jed Hoyer told reporters Monday. “We just haven’t had any discussions on how heavy a workload we put on him in that regard.”

Known way more for his bat than glove, the 23-year-old Schwarber projects to be the Cubs’ left fielder next season. He won’t play winter ball, it was decided, so he can rehab his left knee.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon might provide some insight on the slugger’s future when he meets with the media in the afternoon.

BIG BUCKS BULLPENS

After Mark Melancon reached a $62 million, four-year deal with San Francisco that was the richest contract ever for a reliever, it’s worth wondering whether free-agent closers Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen could command even more.

The Yankees, with a history of high spending, are interested in both of them.

“That’s where the market seems to be headed,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said.

“What it reinforces is the notion that by and large you need to build a bullpen from within,” he added.

THE NEXT BAMBINO?

Get ready to start hearing more about Shohei Otani, the 22-year-old Japanese pitcher who also swings a mean bat.

Otani signed Monday to play next year for the Nippon Ham Fighters. He also says he could move to the major leagues after 2017.

The right-hander went 10-4 last season while hitting .322 with 22 home runs.

“We have reports on him,” Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “Do I think a player could be a two-way player? Yeah, it could happen. Is it very difficult? Yes. But I’m not saying that there’s not a player out there that can’t do that because some of them are rare, rare guys. Babe Ruth could do it. He was pretty good.”

FILE – In a Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 file photo, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during a news conference at Nationals Park in Washington. Meeting with reporters Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at baseball’s winter meetings, Rizzo deflected a question about whether he’s engaged Bryce Harper or agent Scott Boras about an extension for the slugger who was the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year and 2015 NL MVP. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/12/web1_113895747-4020747fda344596a58a93ec49f2d1fd.jpgFILE – In a Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 file photo, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo speaks during a news conference at Nationals Park in Washington. Meeting with reporters Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at baseball’s winter meetings, Rizzo deflected a question about whether he’s engaged Bryce Harper or agent Scott Boras about an extension for the slugger who was the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year and 2015 NL MVP. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE – In a Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016 file photo, Boston Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski looks on during practice in Cleveland. The big-spending Boston Red Sox could be far more conservative this offseason because of baseball’s new luxury tax rules. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, that the new collective bargaining agreement’s stricter penalties for spending above a certain payroll threshold could factor in to the team’s plans. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/12/web1_113895747-599d773db2c443b69a22eab1787664b4.jpgFILE – In a Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016 file photo, Boston Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski looks on during practice in Cleveland. The big-spending Boston Red Sox could be far more conservative this offseason because of baseball’s new luxury tax rules. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, that the new collective bargaining agreement’s stricter penalties for spending above a certain payroll threshold could factor in to the team’s plans. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

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