The latest on free agent lefty C.J. Wilson…
- The Angels talked with Wilson's agent late into Monday night, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The Angels and Marlins remain in the thick of the Wilson sweepstakes, according to Jon Paul Morosi. Wilson's agent met with the Angels on Monday and will speak with the Marlins on Tuesday. The Marlins "are as aggressive as anyone" (Twitter links here).
- The Rangers are set to make their first offer of the offseason to Wilson on Tuesday, writes ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
- The Angels are making a "serious push" for Wilson, tweets Morosi.
- According to Morosi (via Twitter), the Red Sox are still involved in the Wilson sweepstakes. Morosi's fellow FOX scribe Ken Rosenthal adds in a separate tweet that the Cubs have spoken with Garber in an attempt to gauge the market for the southpaw.
- Wilson has a six-year offer in hand from a team other than the Rangers, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Rangers, Angels, Marlins, Nationals, and a mystery team are currently in the mix, and it's known that the Nationals did not offer six years. Wilson hopes to sign this week, but won't sign with a team just because it offered six years. Agent Bob Garber will meet with the Rangers tonight or Tuesday morning. Yesterday, it was reported that Wilson had offers from four teams.
- Wilson and Roy Oswalt are represented by Garber, who said, "I have the two best clients out there. C.J. is comfortable with the process and confident with how things have been going. Roy basically said, 'Take care of C.J. I'll wait in the wings. Once C.J. and [Mark] Buehrle have signed, my market will open up."
inleylandwetrust
No he doesn’t. Sorry Mystery Team, but I’m not buying this one.
sherrilltradedooverexperience
i swear scott boras will be calling gene garber demanding royalty payments for the use of the mystery team in free agent negotiations
deadsy
Phillies.
WonderboyRooney10
Potential shocking offer coming out of nowhere? Marlins
Rabbitov
Come on that’d really be shocking at this point? I’d almost be shocked if it wasn’t them.
WonderboyRooney10
I meant shocking as an outrageous, above market value deal that has the potential to be hideous at the end of it. Like Werth and Crawford.
Varitek'sMitt
Crawford will end up paying off. He’ll turn it around, having a bad year after signing with a new team happens sometimes. They usually do turn it around the next year.
All Day Réy
Ahh, how I love it this time of year!
parkdav
Enter the mystery team…
Matt
In for mystery team!!!
notin
If Mystery Team could pull the trigger on all their signings, they would be unstoppable
Kyle Griffin
haha…well played, sir…well played.
TDKnies
Betting it all on the fabled mystery team!
Luis
If the Angels only have 15-20 mil to spend would they use it all on Wilson? I can see the Nationals.
WonderboyRooney10
But i love mystery teams!
Ohhhplease
I have one of their throwback jersey’s….pretty nice
WonderboyRooney10
Nice. I have last years Cliff Lee jersey with the “2011 World Series Champs” patch on the arm
hardcoreforhardcore
Mystery team, huh? Taking a page out of the Boras handbook, Garber?
notsureifsrs
this is madness
jasonk
This is Sparta.
Matt
This is Miami**
mypoorbuccos
lovely, all three of you.
All Day Réy
Is it to late to add in…”This is California”
Redsoxn8tion
I hope the Sox learned from the Lackey deal
Thomas W
The Rockies…Bank It
Noah Abrahamson
Damn I hope so.
Tko11
bank it? no…I dont even remember the last time the Rockies signed a big time free agent.
Brad426
Mike Hampton? Snicker.
MadmanTX 2
Sounds like Wilson wants to stay in Texas and his agent is pulling a Boras to shop someone else’s offer (if it exists) to the Rangers to match. I hope they don’t. I’m thinking the offer is from the Angels, but the Marlins or Nationals might be crazy enough to offer 6 years.
Daniel Wesley
Crossing my fingers that the “Mystery Team” is the Royals.
Ah, who am I kidding.
riso30
I was doing the exact same thing! Hoping that all of Dayton’s “We are going to focus on the trade market.” was all a smoke screen. CJ would fit in quite nicely here.
John Moore
yeh probly not
Joveoak
Crossing my fingers that the “Mystery Team” is the Mets.
Boy, am I delusional.
stl_cards16
Nationals were just laying in the weeds. Has to be the Nats and this would explain why Rizzo said he would include a NTC for the “right guy”. Wilson will be the next “right guy” in DC.
KyleB
Wilson is the “left guy”
Lefty
Wilson hopes to sign this week, but won’t sign with a team just because it offered six years. That’s because the last two years of the contract has him working for free.
PS Mystery Team is “Not” the Oakland A’s!
Phil Walls
Nationals or Marlins is my guess.
MB923
Same here
Phil Walls
I’m actually leaning towards the Nats on this one.
MB923
Same here again lol. If neither i say its the mystery team
Phil Walls
I agree.
John Moore
id say the marlins
chico65
Proof that there’s one dim bulb in every chandelier
Conebone69
The Montreal Expos are the mystery team
Book it.
Ohhhplease
Very nice….I thought it was the Colt 45’s….
EarlyMorningBoxscore
Both wrong it’s clearly the Seattle Pilots with the St. Louis Browns waiting to pounce.
Matt
Breaking news: Florida Marlins return from dead to use entire payroll to sign CJ Wilson to 40 year, 1200 million dollar contract, and then folded
slider32
Boston Braves
Guest 5862
I’m going to the gym and when I come back, I better learn that it was the Red Sox.
commenter3346
Doubt it.
EarlyMorningBoxscore
Will the real mystery team please stand up.
Charles
This just in…it’s the Angels who offered the deal.
Eddie Millhauser
Not for 6 years and the $$ he has been asking for.
stl_cards16
The last time the top free agent pitcher had a mystery team making a strong play for him was CLiff Lee…………RUBEN! What are you doing!?!?!?!?
Thomas W
The Padres, take that SH** to the Book
Joseph Golden
The Book?
Matthew Dolter
grizzley adams does have a beard
redzfan95
Miami might as well just give a big-money contract to every big-name FA for the heck of it…
GriffeyandSizemore
Please don’t be the Yankees.
stl_cards16
I don’t really care, but it would be funny if it was the Yankees just to watch Century do a complete 180 to flip it into a good offer.
Guest 5861
You obviously do not follow my posts to say that. I don’t know, maybe I only said it 100 times, so I’ll make this 101. HE IS NOT WORTH MORE THAN 4 years and $62mm. Got it?
stl_cards16
Exactly my point…..I’m sure you would come up with some reason why it would make sense for the Yankees to offer 6 years, just not the Red Sox. I thought you needed to go work out?
Guest 5860
What I need to do is kick your…
stl_cards16
better go work out…….
YanksFanSince78
ooohhhhhhhhh. sounded like a threat. haha. cyber threats from a Yankee fan. love it.
MB923
As a Yankee fan, I hope its not them either
Ryan Klinkert
As a non-Yankees fan, I hope it’s them.
MB923
Only if its 6 years $6 million lol
KyleB
What about 6 games at $6 per game…just like the good ol’ days?
MB923
That works
Alex Davies
Please be the Yankees.
Brian Kalinka
Marlins just blowing the FA doors open with all that Luxury Tax $$.
Encarnacion's Parrot
I hope it’s the Orioles. Then they’ll have yet another pitcher for the Jays to tee off of.
Andrew Ochs
Too bad then the jays will still only finish 4th
grownice
Creative…
BLEACHER_CREATURD
Growrice is not nice.
Eric Exiler
It’s the mystery team!
Chunk Light
If someone was stupid enough to give a guy finnished his last peak year a 6 year contract then Miami has a stupid friend!!! In a small way I would like to see a different team destroy their payroll also!
sherrilltradedooverexperience
it would be cool if wilson is finnish
Blink
The mystery team is the Phillies, but they have an agreement to wait until CJ is 35 and then offer him a 10 year 200 million dollar contract.
Jason Matthew Bossert
Why not just give him an hour long show on espn and let him tell us where hes going
Jameson VanDyke
LOL. “I’m taking my talents to South Beach.”
Jason Matthew Bossert
Thats What i Did JVD I used to live in California
Joe Canavan
no way the yankees. yankees are focused on trading for a better pitcher and darvish.
WonderboyRooney10
Cant focus on Darvish till hes posted
The_BiRDS
Mystery team…Sounds like the works of Theo…
The_BiRDS
yep.. its the cubs
Jason Matthew Bossert
average baseball life of Mlb Player is 35-40 depending on injuries sure you have some over 40 like # Tim Wakefield (44)
# Omar Vizquel (44)
Matt Stairs (43)
Takashi Saito (41)
Mariano Rivera (41) Rivera is probally the only player in exception
Arthur Rhodes (41)
KyleB
You left out the great Darren Oliver, sir. And Jim Thome.
Joseph Golden
6 YEARS??? LULZ
SethHood422
Mystery team, huh? As a Braves fan, this brings up painful memories of last years surprise Phillies Cliff Lee deal. Anybody think it could the Phillies?
walrusgod
My “absolutely no factual basis” guess for the “mystery team” is the Royals. I think they’re trying to stockpile left-handed starters with decent-to-good strikeout rates and really iffy control. I “hear” they’re also going to try and acquire Oliver Perez.
No word yet on whether they’re trying to re-acquire Rick Ankiel and convert him back to pitcher, though.
KyleB
No, they’re saving up for Manny Ramirez.
Jason Matthew Bossert
average baseball life of Mlb Player is 35-40 depending on injuries sure you have some over 40 like # Tim Wakefield (44)
# Omar Vizquel (44)
Matt Stairs (43)
Takashi Saito (41)
Mariano Rivera (41) Rivera is probally the only player in exception
Arthur Rhodes (41)
muskyfish
I’m guessing Mets as the mystery team. Depending on whether or not they really had the Reyes money set aside, they have some operating room. They really could use a legit fill-in ace and strong number-2 if/when Johan gets back. And given the fact that they will get a supplemental and 3rd rounder from Miami, and have a protected 1st rounder of their own, this would normally be a good year to go sign a guy or two that a “build-from-within” front office would normally shy away from.
Tko11
What? The Mets? The Nets would be more likely to sign Cj Wilson than the Mets….
Joseph Golden
Sources have confirmed the mystery team is Miami:
NYYANKEES
Why hasn’t Wilson signed yet? I would have signed and run. Unless one of the other teams are stupid like the team gave him 6 years.
LUWahooNatFan
The only way I’d want Wilson on a 6 year deal is if years 5 and 6 were club options..
danman1202
If the Yankees are the mystery team, I hope they’re not the ones offering six years…please.
Manny Hernandez
I see the Pirates on this one.
0bsessions
The six year offer was Epstein offering him a six year, $70 million offer to try to drive up the price for the non-participating Yankees out of force of habit.
iamsynecdoche
It’s true; it’s true. I’m the mystery team. Gotta start somewhere.
AFCFAN06
I think the mystery team could be the tigers they were rumored to be in on reyes with him signing maybe they turn to wilson who knows to spend some big money on wilson/aramis ram to DET they got the money why not.
Earl Gendron
I think MLB should stealth add a *Mystery Team* that doesn’t have a home and plays 5 games at each major league statium (the remander are played @ marlin’s old statium) just so agents can’t say a mystery team is bidding. They could wear a “?” on thier hats and everything
WasianCU
Lame…
bvw87
It’s the Nationals. The Yankees are too smart for a 6 yr contract.
Tko11
Sarcasm? I dont know but if its not then all I have to say to you is AROD
bvw87
I’ll be more specific: they’re too smart to offer CJ WILSON a 6 yr. contract. Or maybe they’re not….who knows.
Tko11
Aj Burnett was a five year deal
bvw87
Hopefully they learned their lesson.
Jameson VanDyke
I don’t see the Angels signing him at this point. Seems to me Dipoto is playing Devil’s Advocate here to finically bury some other teams. Maybe he is as smart as they say. I expect the Angels to land a Garza/Saunders/maybe just maybe Jake Shields in a crazy trade deal.
Yes, I said Saunders. I would love him back in Angels’ red.
Shu13
I also wondered if they would discuss brining him back if he was non tendered…I mean I would rather have Buerhle as the lefty since Saunders is soft IMO….but he wouldn’t be a complete flop…
Jameson VanDyke
He went 11-12 last season but had no run support. His ERA was close to Santanas and he is comfortable in Anaheim. 4 pitchers with ERA’s in the 3’s that all know eachother. It would make for a fun clubhouse and relaxed mentality for the Angels. I see Wilson not getting along because all the crap he talked in the past about the Angels.
slider32
I have CJ going to the Angels.
Shu13
Not for a 6yr deal….
slider32
Looks like you are right.
dc21892
Glad to hear Boston is still involved.
Juan Mejia
It better not be the Red Sox.
MB923
Hoping it is
Kingmojo101
i think if it was the angels it would be like 6yrs 75 mil
Tko11
Omg no Red Sox -__- stay away! Get buerhle instead, shorter deal and cheaper.
Redsoxn8tion
I agree, go with Buehrle.
Christopher Rydo
Please not the Angels…Please!!
n0s
I think it’s the Marlins. The money they have to play with the rest of this off-season just got smaller with the Reyes signing and I think they’re still trying to bring two more impact players. Offering more years but less money would make sense for them here.
Not that signing CJ Wilson at his asking price makes any sense for anyone, but you get what I mean.
Sean Williams
I hope it’s the Sox and they do sign him and get BURNED!
Jameson VanDyke
Boston Globe-Wilson is the new Lackey
jed_hoyer
red sox
SixAces
Red Sox baby!
EarlyMorningBoxscore
It’s not the Red Sox Cherington just came out and said that it is unlikely that they go after high priced free agent pitching. I guess anything is possible but I doubt the Sox are in on this.
asdf asdf
when is there not a “mystery” team? there’s a mystery team right now gunning for Strasburg.
Justanotherfantoo
I have no idea what team/teams is/are in on Wilson. But I think whatever team signs him will be getting a tremendous bargain if it’s anything less than six years at $20 million per year. He’s been lights out away from Texas and even more amazing in the second half the past couple of years — a 2-something ERA.
Now as to how he pitches in the post season, I have no idea. But aside from his struggles in the post season, I don’t understand why Wilson doesn’t get WAY more love than he does.
Justanotherfantoo
If he signs with the Angels or the Red Sox, in my view that team will have a lights out rotation. And if he straightens things out in the post season, either’s rotation would be almost Phillies fearsome.
Goose
Plus, he’d be our no. 4 in the playoffs…let the Halos get there first, then worry about how CJ holds up in the postseason.
fitz
Glad to see the Nats learned nothing from the Werth contract.
$4555515
big talk coming from a red sox fan
fitz
Unfortunately due to the lack of parity in baseball the Sox have a much higher disposable income than Washington…The Nats can’t afford too many high price misses.
nats2012
Your comment isnt relevant, they didnt offer him that contract.
fitz
At the time it was being reported that they did….
LightUptheHalo
I am pretty sure the Angels are out after he reportedly asked for 100 million. That’s why they decided to purse Ramirez. It doesn’t matter then still won’t get anyone of excitement, nothing against Dipoto.
Tko11
he asked for 100million? oh em gee…
LightUptheHalo
Yes.
Wilson asked the Angels for $100MM, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitterlinks).
unvme7
He was actually looking for 120mil. Thats just absolutely dumb…
vtadave
Doesn’t hurt to ask I guess.
NYYANKEES
Nats no shocker there.
John Adams
This guy is completely overrated. Did you see him in the postseason? He sucks. Market for SP must be thin to pay this guy 20mil a year.
Miguel Arias
Awful P.S, but he still had a 5.9 WAR season. Still not worth that much though.
Johnnie
The Nats probably have the “all out” mindset, which is ludicrous…
Tko11
Gotta follow up on the Marlins getting Reyes and Bell I guess….NL East is becoming quite interesting except for the Mets
ThePunisher91
Why not go all out? So we can stand around and see the media’s favorites just walk all over them? This a rebellion. It’s time to take down the big market teams.
commenter3346
The Nationals aren’t a small market team.
MaineSox
I’m shocked that it would be the Nats to offer 6 years. Shocked.
slider32
Lerner is trying to make a statement that he is trying to build a winner, with CJ added to their young team they are going in the right direction.
MaineSox
Making statements and adding a good pitcher are both fine things to do. Giving a pitcher a six year deal when he’s going on 32? Not generally a fine thing to do. But they gave a 32 year old outfielder a 7 year deal, so I don’t know what I expected.
MB923
If they offered Werth 7 years, you shouldn’t be shocked they offered Wilson 6 years
MaineSox
I knew I should have put the [/sarcasm] on the end
MB923
lol darn I fail again!
dylanp5030
If CJ Wilson is worth 6/120, what is Hamels worthy? 8/190…not good news for my Phils.
Manny Hernandez
not good news for any team with a young lefty ie the dodgers, phils, rays
dylanp5030
Very true, Kershaw, Price, Hamels, Bumgarner, etc. All just got excited.
Jameson VanDyke
Kershaw just got a semi.
Phillies_Aces35
Hamels has to get a 7 year contract for $20-$22 million. At least the Santana deal.
dylanp5030
Actually, it could help them….if Hamels sees that 30+ year old lefties can still get 6 year deals (Lee, Wilson, Sabathia)…maybe he signs a 4 year deal and would still be in line for another deal. What’s better?
4/90 and then a 6/130
Or a 8/175
Could happen…I’m hoping so anyway.
vtadave
Most any pitcher would take 8/175 in that scenario, as he could be damaged goods after that four-year deal is up.
miamiroc
When there are two marquee starting pitchers on the market (which are arguably about equal in skill/value and left handed) and you could sign one with a proven track record for 3 years and around $39 million dollars, why would you go after the one asking for twice the contract length and $120 million? Oh that’s right…because you’re the Washington Nationals.
Goose
LOL. Says the Marlins fan.
miamiroc
Oh, I’m sorry…is there another Jose Reyes caliber SS available for a third of what Jose signed for? Nope
Eddie Millhauser
I just LOL at the fact that Jose “I can’t keep off the DL” Reyes gota 6 year deal.. and the 106 mil is the icing on the cake for me.
Jameson VanDyke
Is Reagins a consultant for the Nationals!? This guy is a converted starter and choked in the All Star game as well as the Post Season! I hope the Nationals sign him because the Angels do not need to drop that kind of money on a 4th starter(If he came to the Angels).
coreif
Rizzo, I’m extremely dissapointed…
comebackkid814
THIS IS MY NIGHTMARE!!!
-Concerned Nats Fan
Justanotherfantoo
For whatever it’s worth, FanGraphs estimates Wilson’s value was $18.5 million in 2010 and $26.5 million in 2011. And again, he was much better in the second half (and away from Texas). Except for his post season woes, he looks like a steal to me at anything less than $20/year for six years or less.
Jameson VanDyke
No, Weaver 5 years 85m was a steal this is just stupid.
vtadave
it’s not worth much…
Fangraphs also said Doug Fister was worth $25.1 million last year, and I’m pretty sure he won’t approach that salary as a free agent.
inleylandwetrust
Don’t you talk about Doug Fister like that…
Anthony Falcone
hey
hallwagner
NO, buehrle is a much better option.
Karan
Nationals are starting to become the Cubs of the NL East. Alfanso Soriano->Jason Werth, Carlos Zambrano->CJ Wilson (?)
nats2012
They didnt offer him that, Mike Rizzo just told ESPN about the rumor, they will probably update it soon.
Goose
10:01pm: After emerging from the bathroom, it was confirmed that CJ Wilson’s agent went #2, not #1, as previously reported. He does still see his client as a #1, though.
MB923
“8:59pm: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio (Twitterlink) that he didn’t make a six-year offer to Wilson. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post talked to three Nats sources who said the same thing (Twitter link).’
I guess Jim Duquette was just looking for something to talk about
Paul Ip
sounds like the wilson camp is spreading rumors to jack up the price
Goose
Which is great news. It seems like Buehrle is the real prize and Wilson’s camp wants CJ to be seen that way, but no one’s biting. Prediction: Halos land him at 5/75, with a $16mm option.
Chewtoy123
I think that’s exactly as much as CJ deserves and not a penny more. I hope that’s all he gets because the numbers his camp is tossing around are just insane.
Jamespfunk
Glad the Nats didn’t go 6 years, way too long for a guy that has only been a starter for 2 years and is already in his 30’s.
yanksfan2010
The Montreal Expos
nats2012
Nats only need guys like Wang and Buerhle for a year or two, they have Strasburg, Zimmermann, Detwiller, Peacock, Milone, and Lannan ready to go and Cole, Ray, Solis, Meyer, and Purke on the way. We dont need Wilson for 6 years.
vtadave
Because all those guys are going to step in and dominate? Only two locks for success barring injury are Strasburg and Detwiler.
Diablo 2
I’m Scared and really hoping it’s not my Halos =/
Eddie Millhauser
Why? For the right price CJ will be awesome in Anaheim.
Diablo 2
For 6 years? There’s a quote that says “You never want to give a pitcher more than a 5 year contract” Forgot were i heard it but it makes sense..I think it was a former Dodger don’t remember
Eddie Millhauser
No I agree with you, I should have said right contract. I don’t want it to be any more than 5, preferably 4.
nicolasville96
The smart thing for the Angels to do would be sign Ceej, flip Ervin Santana and somone else (Trumbo?) for a big bat like Votto, and, BAM! Contending team.
Ryan Klinkert
Believe me, if all it took to pry Votto from Cincinnati was Ervin Santana and Mark Trumbo the trigger would’ve been pulled long ago.
Christopher Rydo
I don’t know about trading Santana… I mean, isn’t the whole point of signing Wilson so that you have four strong starters instead of 3, and then 2 unknowns in the back of the rotation… I honestly don’t think a front 3 of Weaver/Haren/Wilson is much stronger than Weaver/Haren/Santana…kind of defeats the purpose…
Eddie Millhauser
Exactly because then it still creates a need for a number 5 starter.
If they get Wilson they will have an amazing 1-4 and a solid 5 if JW performs like he did last year, if he doesn’t Richards might be able to take over.
Willzsco
I don’t really get what all the hype is about over Wilson. I mean, he’s a good pitcher, but he’s not that great.
Eddie Millhauser
I tend to agree, but when you add him to Weaver, Haren, and Santana you suddenly have the best starting staff in the AL.
Chewtoy123
All the hype is coming from his own camp. Otherwise he’d have already signed the fat offer that he thinks he so richly deserves.
sportsnut969
CJ Wilson is going to be a hugh bust-out and disappointment once he gets the money watch and see this guy is the next flash in the pan. Don’t do it Dipoto if you do it you will see Wilson throwing No-Cheese IMHO I’m just glad the Indians are not in the mix on him.
coolstorybro222
wow. wilson has 1 and half decent years in a rotation and now he gets 200 million? CRAZY WORLD.
Ben Bransford
You have to look at it this way… The Angels would not have traded away Chatwood if they weren’t SERIOUSLY interested in signing a FA SP. Wilson would help this team out tremendously. Pitching was the single thing that kept the Angels afloat last year. With the signing of Wilson, Weaver and Haren won’t be the only two consistantly winning games…in fact, With a rotation of Weaver, Haren, Santana, Wilson, JW, you can almost bet that 4 out of those 5 days, the opponent will score 1-3 runs. With an already upgraded offense, you gotta like that scenario. I think its absolutely the right signing!
Eddie Millhauser
Quit Teasing us with all these tweets about him talking to the Angels! I’m getting impatient! lol
LordD99 2
Mystery team has never signed a free agent. Fans of mystery team upset.
lefty177
any news on who the 6-year deal was from or was that just Jeff Wilson being bored?