Deals still could be coming for sluggers

nashville, tenn.» Baseball executives headed home Thursday with top free-agent sluggers still on the market and trade talk percolating that could lead to more swaps in coming weeks.

Outfielder Jason Heyward and first baseman Chris Davis figure to strike the largest deals among hitters. The top pitchers already have signed, with David Price getting a $217 million, seven-year contract with Boston and Zack Greinke a $206.5 million, six-year deal with Arizona.

“I think the market is waiting to see what happens with Jason Heyward,” said Arizona general manager Dave Stewart, who finalized Greinke’s deal and acquired Shelby Miller during the meetings.

Dan Duquette, the Baltimore Orioles’ executive vice president for baseball operations, thinks it is clear why pitchers were pursued first.

“There’s more teams chasing fewer players in that market. Supply and demand,” he said.

Teams announced 10 trades and 11 free agent signings at the meetings, and several more free agents reached agreements that have not yet been announced.

In moves Thursday as people left, reliever Jonathan Broxton stayed with the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing to a $7.5 million, two-year contract, and reliever Juan Nicasio agreed to a deal with Pittsburgh, one week after he was cut by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Reliever Tony Sipp stayed with the Houston Astros for an $18 million, three-year contact.

Also on Thursday, the Angels acquired infielder Yunel Escobar from the Nationals for right-handed pitchers Trevor Gott and Michael Brady.

The Angels also received cash considerations in the deal.

Escobar fills the hole left by David Freese’s departure for free agency. Escobar played third base last season and batted .314 with nine homers and 56 RBIs in 139 games. He is due $7 million in 2016 and has a $7 million team option for 2017 with a $1 million buyout. Los Angeles will be his sixth team in seven years.

As a rookie last year, Gott went 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 48 games.

The 23-year-old has a knack for inducing groundballs and has allowed just two homers in 47M big league innings.

Brady, 28, made 19 starts and 32 appearances with Double-A Arkansas last year. He went 7-7 with a 3.77 ERA.

Next year’s winter meetings will be held at National Harbor, Md., near Washington, D.C.