Bob Garber, the agent for both C.J. Wilson and Roy Oswalt, has been quite busy at the GM meetings as he's met or plans to meet with the Marlins, Yankees, Royals, Angels, Nationals, Rockies, and Rangers during his time in Milwaukee. Garber also told MLBTR that he had at least three new meetings scheduled for today. Here's the latest news surrounding Wilson, with the newest updates up top…
- Rangers president Nolan Ryan only had good things to say about Wilson today, but didn't sound overly optimistic about re-signing him, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Ryan said of the left-hander: "You know, he was a big part of our team. Any ballclub's going to miss that if they lose it" (Twitter link).
- The Red Sox will meet with Garber tonight, tweets Daniel Barbarisi of the Wall Street Journal.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter) reports that Wilson is setting his sights high for his next contract, seeking a six-year deal worth close to $120MM.
- Wilson will start visiting clubs next week and the Angels are among the teams that will get visit, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. DiGiovanna adds that Garber will have met with ten teams by end of the GM meetings.
- As we learned yesterday, Garber requested a meeting between Wilson and the Yankees in New York. Garber is still waiting to hear back from the Yanks, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
- The Marlins have interest in both Wilson and Oswalt, but have more interest in Wilson, tweets Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post.
Is there any doubt CJ Wilson will be pitching in pinstirpes next year? None.
Honestly, I think he’s staying in Texas. I don’t believe the Yankees will commit what he wants after the Burnett debacle. They may have panicked had Sabathia left, but I think they’re put more energy into trade.
The telling part is that Wilson’s agent is initiating all of the contact. If he’s tied to the Yankees, his price tag goes up.
Entirely agree especially about a trade. It seems highly unlikely the Yankees go anywhere near $120mm, for Wilson, which is just absurd. There would be a greater benefit, business wise, based on revenue and capturing another market in going after Darvish at that price.
Yeah, there’s doubt. A very small percentage of the big-name free agents sign with the Yankees. The Yankees are always associated with every free agent because the players’ agents want to drive up the price and the media is always happy to play along. Case in point: Notice it’s Wilson’s agent here who requested and is trying to set up a meeting with the Yankees in NY. It’s not the other way around.
I’m not saying the Yankees don’t have an interest in Wilson, but it’s probably lukewarm right now based on what they’re asking, and it doesn’t really serve their interests to meet with him and help drive up his price.
“Case in point: Notice it’s Wilson’s agent here who requested and is trying to set up a meeting with the Yankees in NY. It’s not the other way around.”
That’s kinda an agent’s job though.
And let’s not be naive here, this probably one of the very few offseasons where the Yankees aren’t aggressively going after one of the top three free agents. I’m not saying they have interest in Wilson or not, but a statement like: “A very small percentage of the big-name free agents sign with the Yankees” just isn’t accurate. Who else comes close to signing as many free agents as they do?
Nice attempt at building a strawman.
Realistically speaking. Look at the last 5 free agent classes with the exception of 2008/09 (Sabathia, AJ, Tex) and what big name top 5 free agents did the Yankees sign (not on the team the year prior)?
2011: Signed Soriano, Jones and Martin. Passed on Crawford, Dunn, Beltre, VMart, Werth and De La Rosa.
Missed on Lee.
2010: Signed Nick Johnson, Wynn. Passed on Beltre, Figgins, Bay, Holliday and Lackey.
2008: Signed Hawkins, Molina (Resigned Posada, Pettite, Rivera, Arod). Passed on Hunter, Andru Jones, Lowell, Rowand and Silva.
2007: Signed Igawa and Pettite. Resigned Mussina. Passed on Drew, Carlos Lee, Lilly, Dice K, Meche, Matthews JR, Padilla, Aramis Ramirez, Pierre, Jason SChmidt, Al Soriano, Suppan and the best…….Barry (F’n) Zito.
So yes, the Yanks have one of the biggest collection of high priced players but a lot of them are ones that were already on the team the year before and were acquired via trade or were drafted and extended further (Jeter, Mo, Cano, Arod, Grandy, Swisher, Posada, etc).
And he will be an epic fail. The pressure will crush him.
He Will be an Angel
The only reason for them to get Wilson is to keep him out of Texas. The Angels already have one of the better pitching staffs in the MLB, they need more offense.
Yeah, but you know they’re going after pitching anyway. Speaking as an A’s fan though, I just want the schmuk out of my division
I take it your not a fan of the straight edge lifte style
While the Angels do desperately need offense, their rotation is still far from a finished product. Only 3 guys are locked into that rotation. Wilson would make them a very deep 4, leaving them with only one spot to fill from within – a big deal when you consider there aren’t a whole lot of major league-ready starting pitching prospects in that system, if any.
5th starter? Not necessarily a big deal. Compared to other 5th starters, rookie Tyler Chatwood did alright for the Angels last year. Despite his lack of control he kept the ERA under 4 for most of the season. If he doesn’t pan out, Jerome Williams or rookie Garrett Richards would be alright in the spot when compared to other 5th starters and not front of the line ones.
I agree, I’m fine with one of Chatwood/Williams/Richards filling the 5th spot. I’m not so comfortable having that set fill two rotation spots.
By the way, in case my “big deal” comment wasn’t clear, I just meant that having a deep 1 through 4 with Wilson is a big deal, because that leaves only one spot to fill between the three pitchers you mention. It’s a big deal, in my mind, not having to fill 2 rotation spots with a selection of Chatwood/Williams/Richards.
True, but having a lefty starter is a good thing, and taking away your competition’s top starter and adding it to your team pays double the dividends. They could also then trade one of their other starters to land the upgrade in offense. Just a thought.
They’d be justified in signing Fielder, acquiring BJ Upton and James Shields from the Rays for Trumbo, Bourjos, and two of their top prospects. I don’t know their farm, but you see where I am going with this. Hunter stays in RF. Wells in LF. They’d have a pretty sick rotation and line-up.
“seeking a six-year deal worth close to $120MM” Heck no not if he wants that!
Not every ball player has the “mercenary attitiude” and goes to New York for the BENJAMIN$ or to the highest bidder. Witness the Jared Weaver re-signing. CJ is SoCal, born and bred. If the Angels offer “respectable money” that he, like Weaver, considers “enough”, don’t be surprised to see him in red.
Personally, I’d rather see the Angels in aggressive pursuit of a catcher though.
I know they’re reportedly looking for it, but why do the Angels need more catching?!? They have Conger, Wilson, and a Mathis jersey. Catcher seems like it should be among the lowest priorities.
“Catcher seems like it should be among the lowest priorities”
You don’t follow the Angels, do you? Jeff Mathis has the worst batting average of any player with more than 1,000 at bats in baseball history. And his defense is not all that admirable. Why he was given a raise last season is baffling. Conger is not major league ready, and Wilson is a bench player at best. Catcher must be one of their top priorities.
I do follow the Angels, and I agree Mathis is awful – hence the jersey jab. Between Conger and Wilson, though, the position is fine. Neither is an all-star hitter, but at catcher that’s more a luxury than a need. Conger will never be “major league ready” until he’s given the opportunity – he’s been excellent at every minor league stop. There are more pressing needs, like starting pitching, bullpen, and third base (I’d throw outfield into the mix, but I think we’re stuck with what we have). I don’t see how someone like Doumit, for example, does much to drastically improve catcher enough to make it worthwhile.
That’s right, because Yankee money is mercenary money, but Angels money is made by the hand of god and represents all that’s good in the universe. Fans never cease to amaze me.
Good one
We’ll trade you Mike Napoli for Dan Haren or Jered Weaver. 🙂
How bout Young and Holland for Mathis..=)
Just in case you haven’t been following baseball closely recently, the so called “mercenaries” you describe are landing on the Phillies, Red Sox, Tigers and many more teams. I think its safe to say we can finally put the Yankees spend the most talk to bed.
True, but the reason the Yankees can’t spend huge dollars right now is because they already have huge dollars tied up in players already on their roster.
They can’t spend big money on Pujols or Fielder because of Teixera and Rodriguez. CC is eating up alot of their salary too with that massive K.
Its not like the Yankees hands are tied because they have contracts with Vernon Wells, Barry Zito, or Crawford. The players you refer to are both gold glove, power hitting players, one of which is still relatively young and has been in my opinion, the best defensive first baseman in the AL, perhaps the entire league. Regardless of what stats people use, UZR, etc. He is money at 1st.
I don’t consider Pujols or Fielder to be that significant of an improvement, perhaps outside of batting average. The Yankees have limited payroll, but have a very complete team and can supplement the missing parts with many top prospects. They don’t need to spend huge dollars right now, unlike many other teams. They could in the blink of an eye package Montero, Betances, Warren, and Nunez and land themselves a legit #2 pitcher that costs less than $10mm a year. Who I don’t know, but don’t make it seem like the lack of participating from the Yanks is because they have the dunce hat on. They’ve made their moves and now they can makes moves from their minor league depth.
Dude…it’s not that they CAN’T afford to extend a contract to Fielder or Pujols, but rather, why WOULD they because they have Tex to play 1b (at a rather high level) and a coupling of the fact that Arod, Montero and others can DH AND it wouldn’t make sense to sign either of those two to BE a DH.
Yanks can probably extend the payroll to $250 mil if they wanted to but it would zero sense to do so.
Now that the Angels have Marcel Lachemann back, I have no doubt they are going to do something! I am telling you, it’s a bigger deal than you think to have back Marcel.
As for my Orioles, they aren’t going to do anything. Guthrie will still be our #1 and Peter Angelos will still be our owner. Here’s comes losing season # 15!
PS The funny thing about the O’s, they want to hold onto everybody ( Jones, Wieters, Britton, Markakis and so on) but they do nothing to improve the team. The bullpen stinks and most of the starting rotation smells. The so called cavalry has dwindled to a broken down pony. They can’t even get the coaching situation squared away. It’s so bad down there you would think the Media that covers the Orioles would have a lot to say about the situation and yet they remain even more silent than before, something of which I thought was impossible! Very Discouraging in “Charm City” these days!
There seems to be a lot of news that his agent is trying to make with very little coming from the GM’s. Not sure who Garber is but he seems like the kid on the playground running around showing off his new toy hoping somebody will become his friend but nobody is really that impressed with the toy.
Either Oswalt or Wilson would be good for the Marlins, but they need Wilson more than Oswalt. The Marlins haven’t had a good lefty pitcher in a long time, and not for lack of trying. They gave Andrew Miller too many chances just because he was a lefty. If the Fish can land Buerhle, though, then Oswalt is probably a better choice than Wilson.
Pretty obvious Wilson is going to be a Pirate. His new girlfriend is from Pittsburgh and he’s a huge Steelers fan.
Ha! Unless CJ Wilson has been offered a part to star alongside Johnny Depp in the next installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean…he won’t be a pirate any time soon.
120M?
cmon man
C’MON MANNN
C’Mon Man
I think the post was read wrong…he actually just told his agent to get him 120 M&Ms.
Let the Yankees overpay for this chump!! I don’t want him in the least. I’d rather give $300M over 10 years to Albert for God’s sake.
wow. 6/120? He’ll be at home next season.
$120 mil for 6 years? Google the “anchoring & adjustment heuristic.”
yea…this guy is not worth $20 million. you’re telling me he should be making as much as Roy Halladay? yea…okay.
I think everybody knows Doc took a discount and didn’t take many years either. If he wanted, he could have hit the market and take a crap loads of money. Its not comparable.
6 years 120 mil? Even Jayson Werth thinks thats too much money.
Lol 20 Mill a year…..he’s crazy if he thinks he’s going to get beyond AJ/Lackey Money
$20 million a year over six years? Well, proof that C.J. Wilson needs to lay off the alcohol.
What? He doesn’t drink alcohol? He’s “straight edge”?
Well, proof that C.J. Wilson needs to start drinking then to prepare for the reality of his actual contract that he signs.
straight edge gayness. I dont like Cj.
I’m pretty shocked he didn’t start with 10 years $10 mil total.
He’s better than Lackey and AJ Burnett. He won’t get 6 years or $20 mil a year. But he deserves more than $16.5 mil a year. No big shock…
This guy is dreaming! $120M for a converted starter, who chokes in the post season!? I was all for him being an Angel up until I read this post. Eff Off Wilson. Give us Kuroda and Bell and call it a day, Dipoto!
For real, where’s Bruce Chen when you need him. Just about any club would be better off saving the $90 million and then going after Buehrle.
Buehrle is going to be overpaid as well. Just like Jason Worth signing first last year. That made Crawford’s price tag even more. Wilson will not sign until Buehrle signs. I’m happy with the rotation that the Angels have now and even happy with the line up. They had hitters with down seasons. A power closer will keep you close to Texas without spending the farm because Texas’ pitching will be weak next year.
Texas’ pitching weaker next season? The only potential loss is Wilson, who gets replaced with Feliz. Holland, Ogando, and Harrison all showed vast improvement this season and are just entering their prime. Lewis is solid. They have a ton of bullpen depth added during the second half. Without doing anything, they may be better than this year.
Pitching i agree with you but the offense.. It lacks and has lacked we need a clutch hitter that can come through with RISP..
I am all for the Rangers adding Buehrle and saving the big bucks down the road or perhaps just adding to the offense.
Kuroda will only pitch for the Dodgers…you can tell he doesn’t want any pressure of competing for the playoffs.
Dodgers Or Near LA.. and your wrong if he does re-sign its with someone that he thinks has a shot to go all the way.. near LA and a team that has a shot.. Sounds like Halos to me..
Sounds like wishful thinking to me..
Really Wishful? coz he did say if he comes back he wants to stay near LA.. No one else in baseball is near LA as Angels..And Jerry is interested in him.. And dodgers have that they will prolly not resign because they won’t have enough money left..(They still need to give Kershaw an Extension) I say if Cj wants to much money Angels sign Kuroda..And why will he deny it.. He near LA, with a team that can go all the way, and he still gets to see Dodgers on and off the Field.. PERFECT FIT!
as an Angels fan I am not sure how you could have liked him prior to reading the post. The guy is a prick in every sense of the word. I do not know how many times he would throw is own team under the bus in his intellectual type tone. He is not worth it in my opinon.
Mr. Dipoto, if you are reading this and you should be because these are the season ticket holders. Lock up Haren and Santana to multi year deals, now! Trade for a power hitting 3rd baseman during the season. Give them Macier, Chatwood and Amarista and take on most of the contract. Give Conger the catchers job because even he hits .220 when he struggles and Mathis is .198. 2012- We might win the division, we might not, but 2013 the Angels will be solid with money to spend. Oh and tie up Howie Kendrick already, what more does this kid have to do!?
You don’t ask for much do ya?
Too bad you’re not an Oriole’s Fan and ask the Front Office and Peter Angelos to do the same thing. You would not only have to wait this lifetime, but the next as well.
Nationals are going to swoop in and sign him for 8/193 mil.
Six years at $120 mil? What is Wilson smoking? He’s had two decent years, wasn’t even in the top ten AL Cy Young voting in 2010 and was only #6 this year. His numbers are hardly worth anywhere near what he’s looking for.
Has AJ Burnett ever been in the top 10??
Everyones mocking CJ’s 6/120 but he’s going to get a lot closer to it than people think
this is one of the worst FA classes in a long time, if a bidding war ensues who knows how high a team will get.
If a bidding war happens, then so be it. To me it sounds more like Storage Wars. A bunch of people bidding on a bunch of junk! There will be one pitcher who surprises and has a great year, however, I don’t think that pitcher will be CJ Wilson
CJ already has had 2 great years (outside of the playoffs of course)…so of course he wouldn’t be a surprise.
i agree Cj will suck… With a 120M contract why would he try.. No one else with big money like that has been trying.Well a few but mostly players like Cj want money..and he proved with that crazy contract he is seeking..I hope he doesn’t get signed
Haha Nice try Wilson, try 5 years 60 mill, you’re not a 20 mill a year pitcher. The guy has only been pitching as a starter for 2 years, he’s been mediocre at best. I will give him recognition for the fact that he’s improved his SO/9 and BB/9 along with his WHIP and ERA. Although just because he improved on his own numbers doesn’t mean he’s “great” and definitely NOT worth 20 MILL a year. The only reason he had 16 wins is because he played for an offensive beast of a team. He did better because it was his contract year, once he signs his next contract he’ll be slummin it, just like Werth, Dunn, Crawford, Burnett, Zito.
I agree. Not worth it and this is taking advantage of lewd contracts that are now given out these days!
Nothing would make Rangers fans happier than for the Angels to sign Wilson and pay a fortune for him, constraining their payroll. If the Renaissance Boy leaves Texas, then good riddance
he wont be to them what Nap and Vlad were and will continue to be for us…
Wilson would need to drop his asking price by about 40 million for me to be interested in seeing the Nationals sign him
Way too big of a gamble for the Yankees. They are banking on next years big class of free agents (hamels). I think Cash tries to get someone like beuhrle (sp?). Get to the post season and hope the offense is banging on all cylinders. I honestly think it’s more likely a team over pays for him at around 75 million, or hes only getting around 60, and that’s a lot. Who knows, he could be worth 120 million over the next 4 years though…
After that World Series failure and this obviously arrogant move, I hope Wilson is without a contract come April.
As a Rangers Fan, I would love to see him playing for our competition
“Garber is still waiting to hear back from the Yanks”
I think that if Cashman is allowed to call the shot on this one, Garber will be waiting a very long time.