When it comes to witnessing the actual business of Major League Baseball and free-agent dealmaking, there's an expectation among many here that they'll be able to actually witness a big event.
Many think that baseball's top-tier management will stroll right through the lobbies and a swath of media and fans sit and wait by the array of television set-ups for this to happen.
But that only happens in the movies. No Jerry Maguire moments to witness here.
See here's the thing: General Managers only come through when they HAVE to, whether it's to make a scheduled TV interview or they've got to make good on another required activity.
Most can't stand running the media/fan gauntlet.
It's not that they don't like seeing the fans - it's just that do so can take up too much time. Teams like the Yankees told me that if General Manager Brian Cashman appears in a lobby, the crowd can keep him there for 90 minutes.
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CNBC was only able to secure interviews with super agent Scott Boras and Cashman because we had a private room set up far away from the pack of people. No gauntlets - no crowds.
The crowds are also missing the actual news announcements.
Technology has taken over that.
On Tuesday morning when Dan Haren signed with the Washington Nationals for $13 million, the deal was announced on the internet.Twitter took care of everything.
EVERYTHING. News. Reaction. Everything.
What fans and tourists can see is the trade show.
Everything from foam fingers to fried food is on display. Baseball bats. Bobbleheads. Bounce houses! Anything a minor or major league park could want or need is for sale here.
And that's the MLB Winter Meetings. Bobbleheads, $13 million contracts and tourists... Together.
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