The MLB Winter Meetings saw two big free agent signings - the Philadelphia Phillies re-signing Kyle Schwarber and the Los Angeles Dodgers snatching Edwin Diaz - go on. But along with it, insiders have brought on plenty of updates from Orlando.Bo Bichette and Red Sox hold preliminary talks over Zoom callAri Alexander of Boston's 7News reported on Monday night that the Red Sox met with Bo Bichette and his team during a video call meeting. The infielder was reportedly satisfied with the team's pitch."SS Bo Bichette and the #RedSox had a zoom recently, sources tell 7News," Alexander reported. "It went well on both sides, per sources. Bichette came away impressed with the Red Sox, I’m told. The Red Sox have shown to be serious about the free agent."Ari Alexander @AriA1exanderLINKSS Bo Bichette and the #RedSox had a zoom recently, sources tell @7News. It went well on both sides, per sources. Bichette came away impressed with the Red Sox, I’m told. The Red Sox have shown to be serious about the free agent.Bichette is coming off a .311 with an .840 OPS and 18 homers, 44 doubles, and 94 RBIs in 139 games. He missed out on the American League batting title, missing the month of September due to injury. He returned only during the World Series, hitting 8-for-23 with six RBIs, including a three-run home run in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani.The 27-year-old's fielding, however, is a point of concern, having recorded -12 Defensive Runs Saved at shortstop and a 3.95 range per game, well below the league average. The Red Sox might offer the middle of the diamond, second base, instead of the shortstop position, which is well guarded by Trevor Story, who had a league-high 219 putouts and 89 double plays for shortstops.Jackson Merrill becomes primary trade target on Padres rosterDespite initial chatter that the San Diego Padres will be forced to sell players to cut their payroll, the current indication, after chairman John Seidler's words on Monday, is that the team's salary will remain similar to last season, which means guaranteed to be in the top ten in the MLB.That has led General Manager A.J. Preller to go about his business during the Winter Meetings, where he has, as reported by the San Diego Tribune, been looking to pull off a major by the end of this offseason. It seems to carry the same magnitude as the Juan Soto trade they made to the Yankees two offseasons back.Discussing this situation on the MLB Network, insider Mark Feinsand concluded that a blockbuster trade for the Padres would have to involve outfielder Jackson Merrill, as the other obvious candidate, Manny Machado, is locked up with a full no-trade clause."Looking at that board, my first inclination is Jackson Merrill. Manny Machado has a full no-trade clause. He's not a young guy at this point," Feinsand said."Jackson Merrill at a pretty reasonable contract, long-term, young guy. He's already showing he can be an impact player at any level. That's the one I would have to think about. But as you said, A.J. Preller shooting big, not a surprise. This is what A.J. Preller does. Nothing that the Padres do would ever surprise you."Merrill signed a nine-year $135 million contract after finishing runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2024 and ninth in the MVP voting. An injury reduced him to just 115 games during the 2025 season, but at just 22 years of age and a reasonable contract, he will have plenty of suitors.