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Angels Sign Albert Pujols

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The Angels are the bridesmaid no more.  Albert Pujols signed a ten-year deal with the Angels, reports Yahoo's Tim Brown.  He receives a full no-trade clause.  Pujols decided this morning, writes Brown.  The Angels have since announced the monumental signing, which ESPN's Buster Olney says is for $254MM.  It's the second-largest contract in baseball history in terms of overall and average annual value, behind Alex Rodriguez's ten-year, $275MM deal with the Yankees four years ago.  Pujols is represented by Dan Lozano of Icon Sports Group.

PujolsPujols, 32 in January, was drafted by the Cardinals in 1999 in the 13th round and began his career with a staggering 11-year stretch.  The first baseman is the active career leader in batting average (.328) and slugging percentage (.617).  He's second among active players in career on-base percentage at .421, so Pujols certainly fits new Angels GM Jerry Dipoto's plan to improve the team's OBP.  Pujols owns a Rookie of the Year award and three MVP awards, and has ranked no worse than ninth in the MVP voting in every season of his career.  He's been extremely durable, averaging 155 games per season.  

Pujols anchors an Angels offense that ranked tenth in the American League in 2011 with 4.12 runs scored per game.  With Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo, Dipoto now has a surplus at first base, but reportedly he won't trade either.  Within an hour of the Pujols signing breaking, Dipoto completed a five-year, $77.5MM deal with free agent lefty C.J. Wilson, bringing the team's total today to $331.5MM.

The Cardinals signed Pujols to a long-term deal in 2004, which ended up being a huge bargain at $111MM over eight years.  Pujols and the Cardinals failed to find common ground on an extension in February this year, but the contract didn't seem a distraction as the team ended up winning the World Series.

The suddenly free-spending Marlins made the high bid for Pujols this offseason at ten years and $275MM, but they would not bend on their policy of avoiding full no-trade clauses.  They seemingly dropped out after signing Mark Buehrle.  The Cubs reportedly made an offer to Pujols as well.  Up until Thursday morning, the Cardinals were considered the favorite, though they reportedly topped out with a nine-year offer that was just the fourth-best he received.  Pujols could have been the next Stan Musial, but even a call from the legendary Cardinals Hall of Famer couldn't convince him to take less money to stay in St. Louis.  It's not much of a consolation prize, but the Cardinals will receive the Angels' #19 pick in the 2012 draft as well as a supplemental choice. 

With Pujols off the market, Prince Fielder is the top prize still available for teams looking to add a big bat. However, based on recent reports, the most aggressive suitors for Pujols, the Cardinals and Marlins, won't be involved in the bidding for Fielder.

 Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

Angels Sign C.J. Wilson

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Lefty C.J. Wilson will join Albert Pujols in Los Angeles, as the Angels continue a surprising free agent spending spree.  The Halos completed a deal with Wilson today, learned Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  It's a five-year, $77.5MM contract, according to ESPN's Karl Ravech, bringing the Angels' tally to $331.5MM on the last day of the 2011 Winter Meetings.  The contract includes a full no-trade clause in the first two years and partial in the last three, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  Wilson is represented by Bob Garber of Select Sports Group.

WilsonWilson, a 31-year-old Fountain Valley, California native, will earn $10MM in 2012, $11MM in '13, $16MM in '14, $18MM in '15, and $20MM in '16, according to Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas (via Twitter). The remaining $2.5MM makes up the southpaw's signing bonus.

Wilson posted a 2.94 ERA, 8.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 0.64 HR/9, and 49.3% groundball rate in 223 1/3 innings this year.  He added another 28 innings in the postseason.  Including the playoffs, Wilson has tallied a massive 479 2/3 innings over 76 starts since being converted back to a starter in 2010.  Aside from perhaps the recently-posted Yu Darvish, Wilson was the best available pitcher this offseason.  Wilson, who has a popular Twitter page, joins a stellar Angels rotation that includes Dan Haren, Jered Weaver, and Ervin Santana.  Weaver had signed a five-year, $85MM extension in August, and it seemed like the Angels couldn't justify giving Wilson more.

The Rangers reportedly topped out at four years in their bid to retain Wilson, though they never made a formal offer and according to the player, weren't close.  The Rangers will receive the Angels' second-round draft pick and a supplemental choice as compensation.  GM Jon Daniels appears to already be exploring alternatives such as Darvish and Matt Garza.  The Marlins were heavily in the mix for Wilson, reportedly making the best offer at $98-99MM over six years.  In fact, Garber said the Marlins "would not let it go" and Wilson could easily have gotten $100MM.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

2011 Rule 5 Draft Results

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Rule 5 players must stay with their new big league club all year or be offered back to the old team. MLB.com has a full recap of both the Major League and minor league portions of the draft. The results of the Major League phase are listed below:

  1. Astros take Rhiner Cruz from Mets.
  2. Twins take Terry Doyle from White Sox.
  3. Mariners take Lucas Luetge from Brewers.
  4. Orioles take Ryan Flaherty from Cubs.
  5. Royals take Cesar Cabral from Red Sox; traded to Yankees for cash.
  6. Cubs take Lendy Castillo from Phillies.
  7. Padres
  8. Pirates take Gustavo Nunez from Tigers.
  9. Marlins
  10. Rockies
  11. Athletics
  12. Mets
  13. White Sox
  14. Reds
  15. Indians
  16. Nationals
  17. Blue Jays
  18. Dodgers
  19. Angels
  20. Giants
  21. Braves take Robert Fish from Angels.
  22. Cardinals take Erik Komatsu from Nationals.
  23. Red Sox take Marwin Gonzalez from Cubs, traded to Astros for Marco Duarte
  24. Rays
  25. Diamondbacks take Brett Lorin from Pirates.
  26. Tigers
  27. Brewers
  28. Rangers
  29. Yankees take Brad Meyers from Nationals.
  30. Phillies

Angels Want Pujols And Wilson

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We heard late last night that there is "no shot" Albert Pujols will make a decision before the Winter Meetings end. Still, here's the latest on the man who has $200MM+ offers from three teams including the Cardinals, Angels, and a mystery team who would reportedly need to trade an established first baseman to clear a path for the three-time MVP:

Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.

No Pujols Decision During Winter Meetings

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The Cardinals, Angels, and a third team are still involved in the bidding for Albert Pujols, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The third team is not the Marlins, who are out of the running for the slugger.

In today's round-up of Pujols rumors, we also learned that the Cardinals' offer may be for only nine years, rather than ten. It was also reported that Pujols still has three offers in excess of $200MM+ on the table, even with the Marlins out of the mix. It's unclear if the Angels have extended that significant an offer, but Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets that the Halos are "in strong." Here's the latest on Pujols:

  • There's "no shot" Pujols is ready to sign before the meetings are over, or perhaps anytime soon, writes Stark. He also says that there is less and less skepticism that a third team really is in the bidding, and that the team is believed to be a club with an established first baseman it would need to trade to accommodate Pujols.
  • The Angels say they can afford to sign both Pujols and Wilson, tweets USA Today's Bob Nightengale, noting that doing so would likely require $300MM.
  • A decision from Pujols isn't coming before the end of the Winter Meetings, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark.
  • The Angels' bid for Pujols is for ten years and at least $210MM, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
  • A "Pujols associate" tells Jon Heyman of MLB Network that it would probably take "$40MM more" from a team besides the Cardinals for Pujols to leave St. Louis (Twitter link).
  • C.J. Wilson is seriously considering signing with the Angels, in which case the Halos would almost certainly be out on Pujols, tweets Rosenthal.
  • Within a piece at FOX Sports, Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi write that the Angels had a "lengthy set of negotiations" with agent Dan Lozano today.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

C.J. Wilson Decision Expected Soon

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1:01am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports echoes Bowden's sentiment (via Twitter), while Scott Miller of CBS Sports tweets that sources tell him the Marlins think they may be fighting a losing battle.

12:28am: Bowden has a source who expects Wilson to sign with the Angels tomorrow morning, though the terms of the supposedly upcoming agreement aren't available (Twitter link).

11:58pm: A decision isn't expected until the morning, a source tells Morosi (Twitter link). Of course, technically, "morning" officially arrives in two minutes in Dallas, but Morosi isn't interpreting it literally. MLBTR's 24-hour coverage will continue through the night, just in case Wilson's decision comes before dawn.

10:24pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears from a source close to the Wilson negotiations that he expects the lefty to sign with the Angels for five years. The Marlins are offering an extra year, but Wilson is being swayed by the chance to pitch near his California home (Twitter links).

9:55pm: C.J. Wilson has meetings with the Marlins and Angels tonight, and is expected to make a decision tonight or tomorrow, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio.

Earlier today, we heard that the Marlins' offer to Wilson is for six years, while the Angels probably aren't willing to go higher than five. The Rangers haven't been told they're out of the running, but are thought to have offered just four years and are resigned to the possiblity that Wilson will sign elsewhere.

For the full recap of today's Wilson rumors, click here.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

Quick Hits: Bailey, Reds, Rays, Rhodes, Posada

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While we wait for the big free agents to make their decisions, here's a grab bag of links from Day Three at the Winter Meetings:

  • The Athletics feel like they're much closer to moving Andrew Bailey than Gio Gonzalez, but even that may not happen until after the Meetings, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
  • GM Walt Jocketty finds the lack of action in Dallas for the Reds so far "very frustrating," says MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Jocketty said he was approached with one proposal today that' he's considering, but "nothing is close."
  • Candidates for the Royals' utility infielder opening include Edgar Renteria, Mark DeRosa, Orlando Cabrera, and Carlos Guillen, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. No deals are imminent.
  • The Rays are still attempting to figure out the best way to bolster their offense, writes Bill Chastain at MLB.com.
  • The Mariners are displaying interest in Arthur Rhodes, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
  • Jorge Posada would still like to play if he can find the right situation, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
  • Former Angels GM Bill Stoneman will return to the team for another year as special advisor to the GM, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

Angels Reach Agreement With LaTroy Hawkins

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The Angels and LaTroy Hawkins have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Hawkins will earn $3MM in the deal, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports.

The Angels had been pursuing bullpen help aggressively for weeks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter), and figure to use Hawkins as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Walden. The Angels turned their attention to Hawkins after unsuccessfully trying to acquire Ramon Ramirez from the Giants, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported that the two sides were nearing an agreement.

C.J. Wilson Rumors: Wednesday

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The latest on free agent lefty C.J. Wilson…

  • Wilson has arrived at the Winter Meetings and will meet with the Marlins tonight, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Miami's offer appeals to Wilson because of the long-term commitment and because he'd have a chance to hit, tweets T.R. Sullivan. I can't imagine the opportunity to get at-bats being a deciding factor, but it could at least be a notch in the 'pros' column.
  • Angels sources have suggested they won't increase their offer to six years, which could give the Marlins the edge, tweets Jon Heyman.
  • The Marlins are the "best bet" for Wilson, with the Angels a close runner-up, Rosenthal hears.
  • Rangers GM Jon Daniels told reporters, including T.R. Sullivan, that he's resigned to the possibility that Wilson will sign elsewhere.
  • The Marlins' offer to Wilson is still on the table, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
  • If the Angels sign Wilson, it would likely be for five years, rather than six, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hears that the Rangers haven't offered Wilson five years (Twitter link).
  • Now that the Marlins have reached an agreement with Buehrle, they're likely out on Wilson, according to a number of reporters, including T.R. Sullivan. This could mean Wilson's decision will come down to the Angels vs. the Rangers. However, Jon Heyman of MLB Network hears the Marlins may still be trying for Wilson (Twitter link).
  • Wilson tells MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan he's undecided and "torn in different directions."
  • The Marlins have big offers out to Wilson and Buehrle, tweets Buster Olney, and they'll sign whoever says yes first.
  • If the Angels don't match the Marlins' six-year offer, Wilson will likely sign with Miami, tweets Jon Paul Morosi.  The Nationals are out on Wilson, notes Morosi.
  • Wilson has a six-year offer from the Marlins, reports Tom Verducci of MLB Network.  However, Danny Knobler says the Angels are currently the clear favorite and Wilson's decision is not expected before late tonight.
  • The Marlins are well down the road with negotiations for Wilson and Mark Buehrle, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark.  They're saying that if they sign one of the starters, that will end their Albert Pujols pursuit.
  • The Rangers are not optimistic about re-signing Wilson, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  Team officials expect him to sign with the Angels or Marlins.
  • The Angels are ramping up efforts to sign Wilson with hopes of getting a deal done today, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Angels Close To Deal With LaTroy Hawkins

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The Angels are close to signing LaTroy Hawkins, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. This matches up with comments made earlier today by GM Jerry Dipoto, indicating the Angels were moving toward shoring up their bullpen. The deal is expected to be for one year, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

The Brewers also have interest in Hawkins, who posted a 2.42 ERA in 48 1/3 innings for Milwaukee in 2011.

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