11:25pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) is getting the sense that the Angels' offer to Wilson won't top the five-year, $85MM deal that Jered Weaver got. Mark Buehrle and Hiroki Kuroda could be attractive alternatives for the Halos.
9:26pm: Wilson has offers from the Angels, Marlins, and two other clubs, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (via Twitter).
8:30pm: Marlins still have an offer out to Wilson, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.
7:42pm: Pitcher C.J. Wilson is not a top target for the Nationals, tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson. One person told Ladson that the left-hander isn't really on the club's radar screen.
5:41pm: Wilson's suitors include the Nationals, Marlins, Rangers, Angels, and Red Sox as the meetings commence, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
10:53am: Others teams are viewing the Nationals as the early favorite to land C.J. Wilson, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter). The Nationals, along with the Marlins and Blue Jays, are seen as probable big spenders at the meetings.
Furthermore, Heyman tweets that he sees Wilson leaving Texas unless the left-hander is willing to cut his $120MM asking price in half as the club seems comfortable with filling out its rotation from within. Yesterday, Heyman reported that the Rangers haven't been making any progress with Wilson.
Nooooooooooooooooo!!!
Shocker.
As long as he’s not an Angel.
The only way he goes to the Angels is if he takes a Socal discount. The Nats will severely overpay as usual for any top FA that will go there…
Yeah, you know, as usual. That one time they did it. So common, that one time occurrence.
The “Early Favorite” never prevails.
I’m searching to see if early favorite doubles as ‘going to do something stupid’
2010 headlines.. Nationals are
going to do something stupidearly favorites for WerthIt’s a shame that they’re going to waste their young talent by maxing out their payroll with every overpriced free agent they can find.
They wouldn’t go after these guys if they didn’t have the money to lock up the young guys too. Now that they finally have a young core, it’s a good time to fill some spots in with big names
I’d rather the Jays bring in Bedard and Harden then offer Wilson anything substantial.
Also much rather spend an extra 50 mil to get Fielder than spending it on Wilson
Heyman never said anything about the Jays signing Wilson, Thank god.
I want them to sign Fielder, we have the money, my insanely high rogers bill shows that, and then trade Lind and a prospect to the Rays for Wade Davis. I think the rays and lind are a good fit, he’s pretty cheap, and a good hitter, just not as goood as Prince
..
??
Davis had a 5.14 k/9 last year (4.67 FIP). He’s not in any way an improvement over what the jays already have in house.
Davis is young still, obviously I would prefer Shields, but I am afraid that the price will be incredibly steep considering we are in the same division, but you get my point, trade Lind for pitching lol
Davis is going to be 27 next year, he’s not that young. He could still turn out to be a solid mid rotation starter, but so can hutchinson, mcguire and molina, whom we already have in house…
Lind for pitching works, but if its anyone substantially (ie Garza) the package is going to have to be sweetened with a top prospect.
Or they can keep their prospects, sign Bedard, and then wait for an ace to become available.
I think Lind to Texas makes more sense. Moreland is hurt and Lind hits like the Boss everytime he goes to Arlington. And you don’t have to deal with that annoying interdivision trade.
Lind to Texas for Tanner Sheppers, Texas pays the bill on Lind, id be happy with that. Tanner could close or start if he stays healthy. Obvously only if we get Fielder.
??
If Wilson cuts his demand of $120 in half, than the Rangers will not be the only team interested in CJ. Any team that goes by the name of “Mystery Team” usually is the favorite.
Phillies don’t need a SP this off-season.
they didn’t last year either!
Guess I should’ve added a “;)”
Guess I should’ve added a “;)”
They can’t waste talent when they still have quite a few holes to fill. Werth and Wilson are two positions that won’t really be blocking anyone anytime soon.
In saying that, if they sign Wilson it’ll most likely be as outlandish as the Werth deal, so in that, yeah, both signings would be ridiculous.
NOOOOOOOO. HE ISN’T THE GUY WE SHOULD GET!!!!!! JUST WAIT. THIS WONT BE GOOD FOR THE NATS.
I predicted him going there. Can’t say I’m shocked.
I dont get why people are so against signing him. I hope the marlins get him and the nats get oswalt.
i still say we should pursue buehrle…
I have a feeling he made some type of gesture to say that he wasn’t interested. YOu don’t go to someone’s house and then just stop pursuing him at all.
i still say we should pursue buehrle…
Wilson is a good aquisition. However, I’ll have to check out the contract. As long as it is reasonable there is no reason to rue the deal. However, if we are talking Cliff Lee money then its a mistake
Concern-trolling Nats-bashers — please realize that the Nationals 2010 payroll was 34% of the Phillies payroll, even with the addition of an underperforming Werth.
It was in fact $8M less than the lowly Oakland A’s. Yet the Nationals owners are the wealthiest in baseball, save Toronto’s corporate owners. They are 2x as wealthy as the Steinbrenner group. They have simply been frugal up to now. I don’t know if the Lerners will sign Wilson, though I’d be pleased if they did, but comments suggesting they will suddenly be maxed out are deeply mistaken. Though they certainly will not, the Nationals could sign Fielder, Wilson, Cespedes, and Darvish and still have a payroll lower than Philadelphia’s.
there is a MASSIVE difference between being wealthy from other endeavors and being wealthy because of owning a baseball team..
They may have 2X as much money as the Steinbrenner’s but the Steinbrenner’s probably make 5X as much profit on baseball related activities..
Just because you are rich doesn’t mean that you are willing to go in to the red in order to put a competitive team on the field.
The Nats’ operating income has consistently been extremely high; they were second in baseball last year with 36.6 million, according to Forbes, which is $10 million more than the Yankees. They don’t take as much in as the Yankees, but they spend much less as well. They certainly have the ability to cut into that income by a lot, and will be able to raise that ceiling even more if they increase revenue, which an improving team in a strong midmarket city can do.
(source for the forbes numbers, sort by operating income: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/33/baseball-valuations-11_land.html)
I’m not saying that the nats are destined for the rays status, I’m fully aware that they will be able to increase payroll when it makes sense to do so..
I just cant believe how many nats fans want this to happen after they signed Werth to a 7 year deal and looks like a huge loss after year 1
So you read what he’s saying, you’re just not going to listen to any of it? The point is they have cash to play around with and they’re going to keep spending.
huh.. all i’m saying is that its not the nationals time to be signing big ticket players
It’s not the fans that are writing these articles, these teams are going to make some moves they are up and coming teams. The A’s, Jays, and White Sox seem to be going the other way.
Hahahahaha
Owners like Lerner and Cuban aren’t afraid to spend their money.
Whgat’s more, the Nats’ television rights are up for re-negotiation and the terms of the deal that MLB struck with Peter Angelos, which was decried at the time, means that their rights fees will probably rise substantially.
The Nats’ operating income has consistently been extremely high; they were second in baseball last year with 36.6 million, according to Forbes, which is $10 million more than the Yankees. They don’t take as much in as the Yankees, but they spend much less as well. They certainly have the ability to cut into that income by a lot, and will be able to raise that ceiling even more if they increase revenue, which an improving team in a strong midmarket city can do.
(source for the forbes numbers, sort by operating income: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/33/baseball-valuations-11_land.html)
And the Yankees are profitable because they invest in putting quality on the field using their financial advantage over small markets.
DC too is a large market, not close to NY but very large, and the Nationals will soon substantially increase payroll to put more quality on the field. If some overpays are required, so be it. As was true in other large markets, building a winner will provide return on investment.
The Yanks sign free agents, because they are never drafting at the top. That makes it much harder to get top players if your not picking in the top ten. Trades and free agents are the way to go with the top big market teams. The Sox and Yanks usually have only 2 or 3 drafted players starting with 4 or 5 first rounders picked up through free agency or through trades. The Rays are just the opposite. The main thing is the Gm’s have to know how to build a team.
And the Yankees are profitable because they invest in putting quality on the field using their financial advantage over small markets.
DC too is a large market, not close to NY but very large, and the Nationals will soon substantially increase payroll to put more quality on the field. If some overpays are required, so be it. As was true in other large markets, building a winner will provide return on investment.
Yes, but that still doesn’t mean that Lerner won’t give Wilson a big contract. They are trying to win, unlike some other teams with alot of money to spend. You can see that the Nats and Marlins are serious about improving their teams and increasing their budget, contrary to what people think.
Sure, Wilson would help the Nats. But I wouldn’t go 6 years or anything close to an average salary of $20 mil/year which seems to be what he is seeking. Maybe 4 years @ about $14 mil a year???
The Nats owner has all the money in the world and seems willing to spend it…..BUT….everytime he overpays free agents, the players currently on the Nats such as Ryan Zimmerman will understandably jack up their own baseline for new contracts. And future free agent possibilities will point to contracts like Wilson and Werth, etc. and expect to get excessive contracts or go elsewhere.
Paying more than someone is worth is a game that can’t be won by clubs.
But if you’re Ryan Zimmerman (who is not necessarily making peanuts; 12 mil this season and 14 mil next) wouldn’t you rather the team go out and get talent so you can enjoy the post-season? I’d have to think Zimmerman knows his team may have to overpay a bit to get players to come and play there.
There’s truth to what you’re saying but sometimes if you overpay for a couple and then produce a few winning seasons, I think players will want to come there because the Nats are a winner moreso than them wanting to come because they know the Nats will pony up the dough.
But if you’re Ryan Zimmerman (who is not necessarily making peanuts; 12 mil this season and 14 mil next) wouldn’t you rather the team go out and get talent so you can enjoy the post-season? I’d have to think Zimmerman knows his team may have to overpay a bit to get players to come and play there.
There’s truth to what you’re saying but sometimes if you overpay for a couple and then produce a few winning seasons, I think players will want to come there because the Nats are a winner moreso than them wanting to come because they know the Nats will pony up the dough.
If Wilson can be had for 4y@14mil/y range, then virtually every team in the game will want to land him. So no, not gonna happen. That actually isn’t even a “reasonable” deal for a pitcher of his caliber.
It’s amazing to see the offseason’s top FA pitcher getting hated on so much on this blog. While I agree that $100MM is waaaay too much for the likes of CJ Wilson, i just find it interesting
Once people realize someone is a little overrated they don’t want him anymore. Even though he’s still a fine pitcher, best on the market, they treat him like he’s bound to disappoint.
Once people realize someone is a little overrated they don’t want him anymore. Even though he’s still a fine pitcher, best on the market, they treat him like he’s bound to disappoint.
Because Cj is way overrated!!!!
How is he overrated? He is regarded as a top 10 starter in the AL for the last two seasons and a top 5 for 2011. Which is the truth. No one is evaluating him as a top-of-the-league ace.
But he’s seeking a top of the league paycheck.
Because Cj is way overrated!!!!
Why the dismay when the Nats overpay but not when the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox regularly do so?
The Nationals have been guilty of *one* overpay, which they acknowledged at the time was necessary because the team is new and has no history of winning.
The A-Rod, Crawford, and Dunn signings have been ridiculed ex post facto. You’re lucky as a Nat fan to see the writing on the wall, before the disaster actually ensues.
Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox have experience and do experience success more often than the Nats. Teams like the Cubs, Dodgers, and others that overpay but fail to succeed usually get criticized. IF the Nats can overpay and still become competitive the chastising will become less frequent.
Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox have experience and do experience success more often than the Nats. Teams like the Cubs, Dodgers, and others that overpay but fail to succeed usually get criticized. IF the Nats can overpay and still become competitive the chastising will become less frequent.
Why the dismay when the Nats overpay but not when the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox regularly do so?
The Nationals have been guilty of *one* overpay, which they acknowledged at the time was necessary because the team is new and has no history of winning.
Wilson is out of his mind if he thinks he’s getting $120 million
Wilson is out of his mind if he thinks he’s getting $120 million
Pujols is probably the least talked about FA this offseason so far.
This leads me to believe its all but done he’s going to be back in STL
Pujols is probably the least talked about FA this offseason so far.
This leads me to believe its all but done he’s going to be back in STL
Thanks Nats!
Thanks Nats!
No thank you. I’ll take Buerhle for 3-4 years. Wilson has bust written all over him
Maybe. Wilson’s 3.44 SIERA last season was pretty good. It’s more probable that Wilson will be a solid #2 pitcher for the next 3 years, then decline.
what really concerns me is both his performance in the playoffs, and that he was a career bullpen guy who was thrown into the rotation. While successful, he went from 74 innings, to two straight 200 + seasons.
I think you can start worrying about the postseason after you actually get there.
The Nats will make the playoffs next year….maybe. Year after, probably.
the thing is wilson has the chance to be an excellent pitcher (20 wins, era under 3 and 200+k’s each year, but he also holds the possibility of being a complete bust. the latters possibility scares me mostly because he doesnt have as much of a track record as some of the other guys *cough cough buehrle
I think people are taking the “6 year, $120mil” statement made by CJ’s agent way too seriously. Agents always start out by asking big. I think 5 years/$90 mil with an option or two is about what CJ and his agent are actually seeking. While that still would be a bit of an overpay in my opinion, all FAs get overpaid these days and that wouldn’t really be all that much of an overpay either considering the ridiculous contracts that have been signed in the recent years.
“The Nationals, along with the Marlins and Blue Jays, are seen as probable big spenders at the meetings.”
Really. This despite AA’s repeated emphasis on trades and internal development, reluctance to do big long contracts, preference to acquire big league talent at the trade deadline instead of over the winter, contempt for the winter meetings, and aversion to the free agent market. You’ve got to be kidding me!
It seems like the Nats and Marlins are trying to make deals, where the Jays are shocked at the price of the big free agents and are looking for bargains. Bargains come through trades and not free agents.
False statement
there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you that completely changing yourself won’t fix.
have you ever heard of negotiating tactics? the marlins and nats saying they have lots of money they want to spend is like hanging a giant “willing to overpay” sign on your team. they’re practically asking some agent to take them to the cleaners.
saying that you’re shocked at the prices of free agents is a good way to keep yourself out of the limelight, keep asking prices down and remove some of the agents leverage because they have no idea how much you’re willing to spend.
John Heyman way off?? Say it aint so!!
Thank you. The Nats dodged a bullet there. I’d take Buehrle, Oswalt, or Jackson in the short term (3 yrs or less) over 5 or more years of Wilson.
I’d rather have him stick with the Rangers, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a Halo.
Stay away Angels STAY AWAY!! HE’s TOO SELF CENTERED!!
Unless the Angels offer is something in the range of 4/60, I’d say stay away… I don’t think Wilson’s worth more than that, and I certainly have a hard time with giving up a first round draft pick to TEXAS for him, to boot…
I want to see the Halos sign a pitcher, but there are less expensive alternatives available, that still would allow them enough flexibility to pursue a hitter, too…
The Angels should save the money and get Edwin Jackson for 4-5yrs he’s young, cheap and has a lot of up-side.. I would also like to see them go after Wright or Fielder
I’d been wondering about Edwin Jackson myself… he hasn’t popped up in any rumors so far, and he’s certainly durable…he’s averaged over 200 IP/season, and should cost significantly less than Wilson… and is most likely even more of a sure thing, if you’re looking for a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
And I’d love to pull up this site one morning and see a headline that reads “Angels, Fielder close to deal” but… I just can’t believe it’ll happen…
Did Dave Duncan ever fix Jackson’s high BB rate?
Weaver, Haren, Wilson, Santana. That’s an amazing top four. Shore up the bullpen (Madson?) and even a mediocre offense can win a lot of games.
Just hope this contract isn’t worth more than 15M =/
Yes, and then lose in the playoffs (i.e. The Phillies)
That would be ideal, but now that the Marlins and Nationals are in, I doubt the Angels get Wilson for a price that would leave them with any salary to pursue good bullpen help. I could see the Angels ending up with Jackson/maybe Kuroda, Ramirez, and K-Rod. Typing this, even I realized that’s pushing Arte Moreno’s cap, so Wilson would essentially mean the Angels don’t get significant upgrades in their other areas of weakness, bullpen and offense.
15-20 million to spend this offseason wouldn’t get the Angels both Madson and Wilson.
As a Rangers fan, I’ll cheer for the Angels to get Wilson…because he won’t play up to his contract.