Monday Links: Let’s start the insanity

General Managers across Major League Baseball will gather on Monday for the first time this offseason. The inaugural meeting of the winter will take place in Scottsdale Arizona, and will feature both front office executives as well as player agents. While the annual early November gathering isn’t as hyped up as the Winter Meetings, which take place in early December, it does present clubs with an opportunity to observe the different landscapes of free agency and construct meaningful trade discussions. For the last place Boston Red Sox, this week’s 3 day meeting period is an important step in the their effort to rebuild their porous roster. While no deals are destine to happen this week, the groundwork will begin to be laid to shape the rest of the winter.

• When executing offseason moves, it’s important for a team to keep one eye on the present and the other on the future. For the Red Sox, that could mean pumping the breaks on this winter’s free agent class, and focusing their attention on next winter. With names like David Price and Jason Heyward set to hit the open market in 2016, Boston may save their reserves for the future. (In free agency, Red Sox may focus on next winter)

• Before Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington took off for Arizona, he spent some time addressing Boston’s plan of attack this winter. In his third year at the helm for the Red Sox, Cherington enters the winter with a plateful of things to accomplish, from finding a left-handed third baseman to rebuilding the starting rotation. On the trade front, Cherington admitted that the team has already received hits on outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, but tamed those rumors saying the team would need to be blown away in order to move the slugger. (Ben Cherington talks outfield trade market, Jon Lester, and interest in Pablo Sandoval)

• While John Farrell is in Japan managing the start-studded USA squad in the Japanese Series, he’ll also be doing a little scouting for his employers back east. The Red Sox manager is looking forward to getting a good look at the new Japanese pitching phenom, Shohei Otani. Pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters, the 20-year old dominated the league in 2014 by cultivating a 2.61 ERA and collecting 179 punch outs. (John Farrell high on Shohei Otani)

• It’s no secret that the Red Sox are in dire need of starting pitching this offseason, and have the available resources to net a top level arm. Therefore, until Boston reels in a big arm, you can expect to hear their name linked to hurlers on both the free agent and trade font. In that regard, the Red Sox and Athletics could match-up for yet another big deal. (Athletics trade rumors: Deven Marrero from the Red Sox at shortstop?)

• Cole Hamels and the Red Sox have been connected since before the offseason even started, but in order to obtain the left-hander Boston will have to delve into their reserve of trade chips. In the early stages of the offseason, the Phillies asking price for the ace is reportedly includes two-to-three top tier prospects. There’s no question that Boston has the assets to meet the Phillies demands, but the question is will they use those assets. (Phillies looking for “at least three top prospects” in return for ace left-hander Cole Hamels)

• Tweet of the day: Bold predictions