Jayson Werth, Adrian Gonzalez and Cliff Lee

Greetings from Orlando! Sorry for not checking in yesterday. As I walked from the front desk to the elevator, luggage in tow, I saw a Nationals PR guy who said to me, "We're having a news conference in 15 minutes. You're probably going to want to be there."

So yes, things escalated quickly.

The winter meetings were held at this very hotel in 2006. I remember having lunch with Jeff Maier, who was trying to get a job in baseball (he did, but only for a short while). I recall running into Sandy Alderson, then the Padres' president, and speaking with him about David Wells' return to San Diego.

Overall, I recall it being very quiet. We've had more action before the meetings technically began this time than we did all of the last time here.

So let's start with Jayson Werth. OMG. On Nov. 8 here on the blog, I mentioned the Nationals as a "sleeper team" for Werth's services. But ultimately, I thought the Red Sox would make a good enough offer for Werth to turn away from Washington.

Seven years at $126 million, though? That's just a ridiculous contract. And I mean that in the traditional definition of "ridiculous," from the Washington point of view. Good Lord.

How long will it take the Nationals to regret that contract? Three years? 

I spoke with some people here at the meetings who equated that deal to the Mets' signing of Pedro Martinez - a contract to buy credibility. Eh. I don't know about that. To me, the Nats bought credibility when they paid top dollar for Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in the amateur draft. And those represented better risks than Werth.

--The Red Sox, meanwhile, landed their man in Adrian Gonzalez. I look forward to watching him compete in the New  York-Boston rivalry. The two biggest losers in this trade, arguably, are a pair of Scott Boras clients: Adrian Beltre now can't return to Boston, with Kevin Youkilis sliding over to third, and looking ahead to next year, free-agent-to-be Prince Fielder loses another big-market contender for his services (assuming Gonzalez ultimately signs a long-term deal with the Red Sox).

In asking people about the Red Sox prospects acquired by San Diego, a similar sentiment emerged: "I don't think they're that good, but I don't know them as well as Jed and Jason." That would be Padres GM Jed Hoyer and his assistant Jason McLeod, both of whom worked for the Red Sox.

--Many GMs arrived here yesterday, but not Brian Cashman, who rappelled down a building in Connecticut. He'll arrive today and, he openly admitted, will be lusting (professionally) after Cliff Lee.

I think this could go down very quickly: Offer from the Yankees, counter from the Rangers, counter from the Yankees, game over. I exchanged e-mails with Lee's agent Darek Braunecker yesterday, and he wrote me: "I have meetings scheduled with a number of clubs on a variety of things as we currently have 7 total FA's (free agents) so it will be a busy time."

In other words, he told me pretty much nothing. But it was nice of him to write.

--I'll check in as often as I can this week. The first order of business is this morning's Hall of Fame announcement from the Veterans Committee.