The general managers meetings, the first of Major League Baseball’s two offseason summits, began this week. It will double as the ignition for a rumor mill that, based on the last few years, could extend into spring training. Minor moves will be made. Negotiations for bigger deals will get underway. Most will be drawn out over the winter.

The Dodgers’ offseason activity in recent years has been steady, if not splashy. Trades have been executed with payroll in mind. They haven’t given a free agent from another club a contract worth more than $60 million. They’ve operated with discipline.