Latest On Albert Pujols
Here's the latest on Albert Pujols, with the most recent news up top..
- Though they just committed $106MM to Jose Reyes, the Marlins plan to meet with Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, Monday or Tuesday at the winter meetings, sources tell Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. One source said the club plans to make a major push to sign Pujols over the next two days. Lozano is also tentatively scheduled to meet with the Cardinals about Pujols on Monday, according to sources.
- Other teams believe that the Cubs will try for Albert Pujols by offering him a deal shorter in length than the Cardinals' offer but with a higher average payout per year, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. It was recently reported that Chicago planned to pursue both Pujols and Prince Fielder this offseason.
Marlins, Reyes Agree To Six-Year Deal
8:54pm: Reyes' deal does not include a no-trade clause, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.
8:47pm: The Marlins and Reyes have agreed to a six-year, $106MM deal, pending a physical, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
8:35pm: Mets GM Sandy Alderson addressed the media and confirmed that if the Marlins are offering a six-year, $111MM deal, the Mets won't be able to compete, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Furthermore, the Mets have yet to make a concrete offer to the shortstop, tweets Mike Puma of the NY Post.
8:21pm: Reyes to the Marlins appears to be imminent, but Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter) continues to hear that the numbers are less than those being reported.
7:57pm: The Marlins and Reyes are close on a six-year deal, believed to be for $110MM, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
7:49pm: The reported terms of $111MM over six years are definitely not correct, an American League source tells Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter). Rodriguez stresses that this doesn't mean that the Marlins aren't closing in on Reyes.
6:37pm: The Marlins came to the meetings with the idea of bumping their offer to Reyes and setting a deadline, but now they've upped the offer so much that they may not need to give the shortstop a deadline, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
6:29pm: The Mets are now aware of the Marlins $100MM+ offer and are out of the bidding, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. Barring a change of heart, it would seem that Reyes is leaving New York. The Mets were willing to go to a five-year deal for $75-85MM with an option for a sixth year to take the deal over $100MM, but felt that they were stretching for the five-year deal and won't extend to a sixth, Sherman tweets.
6:15pm: The Mets have not been alerted yet by the Reyes camp of the reported six-year, $111MM deal and if the numbers are accurate, it would mark a dramatic increase from what the Mets heard 48 hours ago, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links).
The Mets and Brewers had planned to offer Reyes something in the range of $75-80MM, says Jon Heyman of SI (via Twitter).
5:53pm: The Marlins have offered Jose Reyes a six-year, $111MM deal, a source tells Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com (Spanish link). The deal would pay $106MM for six years with a $22MM option for a seventh season with a $5MM buyout.
This marks a significant increase from Miami's offer a few weeks ago, which was reportedly in the neighborhood of $90MM over six years. It was recently reported that Reyes might be down to just the Marlins and Mets, but the Brewers have also made plans to meet with the shortstop's agents this week.
Rojas' source also says that the Marlins are the favorite to land Albert Pujols if he does not return to St. Louis.
Rosenthal On Capuano, Fielder, Marlins, Red Sox
The Twins offered Chris Capuano a two-year deal before he accepted the Dodgers' offer, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Here are more of Rosenthal's notes from around MLB…
- The Marlins have discussed Prince Fielder internally and some team officials like the idea of pursuing him, according to Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. However, they're more focused on Albert Pujols. Agent Scott Boras is telling teams that Fielder is the last available young power bat until Mike Stanton hits free agency.
- The Pirates were also pursuing Capuano before he signed, Morosi tweets.
- One GM says other teams backed off from Jose Reyes after the Marlins offered him $90MM over six years.
- The Cardinals offered Albert Pujols a nine-year deal worth $190-200MM in Spring Training and haven’t changed their proposal since.
- The Red Sox are exploring every trade possibility and considering every free agent closer, according to Rosenthal. Boston is hoping to find a bargain somewhere in the crowded market for top-tier relievers.
NL Central Notes: Garza, Marshall, Pujols, Phillips
Happy 63rd birthday to former Reds outfielder George Foster. A member of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine teams, Foster his 52 homers in 1977, a performance that won him the NL MVP Award. Foster's 52 home runs were the most hit in a season by any Major Leaguer between 1965 and 1997.
Here's the latest from the NL Central….
- Matt Garza "is exactly the type of guy we’d like to build around," Theo Epstein told reporters on Thursday, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Epstein said that rotation depth was a priority for the Cubs, which would seem to indicate the recent Garza trade rumors may be for naught. Epstein did say he would be "open-minded" about possibly moving assets like Garza or Sean Marshall, though in Marshall's case, Epstein said "if you have the best left-handed reliever in baseball, it’s hard to think about taking him out of that role."
- Yahoo's Jeff Passan argues it would be good for baseball if Albert Pujols "pulls a LeBron" and signs with the Cubs, since it would catalyze interest in him and his sport. The Cubs and Cardinals are both pursuing the free agent first baseman, though the Cubs’ level of interest remains unclear.
- Brandon Phillips had no new updates about the ongoing contract negotiations between he and the Reds, but he told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon that "I just want to be here forever like my idol, Barry Larkin." Phillips tweeted on Tuesday that talks were "moving in the right direction."
- The Astros let president of baseball operations Tal Smith go with just two weeks of severance pay after 35 years of service with the Astros, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- What does the Cubs' signing of David DeJesus mean for Tyler Colvin? Tony Andracki of CSN Chicago examines the question.
MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith also contributed to this post
Rangers Notes: Fielder, Pujols, Moreland, Levine
9:25pm: The Rangers have interest in Fielder, but he's not high on their priority list, according to Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Texas isn't seriously courting Pujols, either.
7:43pm: The Rangers announced that Mitch Moreland underwent right wrist surgery today and may not be ready in time for Spring Training. However, the GM Jon Daniels expects Moreland to be healthy in time for Opening Day 2012 and says the team won't need to change its first base plans drastically.
"We may look for some protection there now, but I don't see it changing the level of investment we're going to allocate there," Daniels said, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
Michael Young and Mike Napoli can also play first base for the Rangers if Moreland's recovery takes longer than expected. Though Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols are available on the free agent market, the Rangers say they don't have interest in costly options at the position.
Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine, who ranked third on MLBTR's list of GM candidates, announced that he is foregoing job opportunities outside of the organization, according to Sullivan. The Astros requested permission to interview Levine for their GM vacancy.
Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Dotel, Romero
The latest on Albert Pujols and the Cardinals' other dealings, courtesy of Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch…
- The Cardinals offered Pujols a nine-year, $198MM extension in January, confirmed Goold. Though this would be the third-largest contract in baseball history, the average annual value of $22MM would have the game's best hitter outside of the all-time top ten. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak wouldn't comment on whether the January offer still stands.
- Mozeliak explained his Pujols timeline to Goold: "I don't feel like right now everything outside of Albert's situation is urgent. That said, the one takeaway we have to have in the next couple weeks is what is the likelihood of us getting something done (with Pujols). I think directionally, that's what we're looking for as we move into the winter meetings and toward (the holidays)."
- One pressing factor might be the division-rival Cubs, who have "serious interest" in Pujols according to a Goold source, yet the talks so far have been preliminary. Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported that the Cubs are showing interest in Pujols and Prince Fielder. Goold says Pujols has indicated a desire to meet face-to-face with any legitimately interested party, so perhaps a sit-down will occur with the Cubs soon.
- Octavio Dotel's agent Dan Horwits told Goold, "Dotel would like to be a Cardinal. Obviously, the Cardinals have some other contracts to address first, and we understand that." This week the Mets, Reds, Tigers, and Angels have been named as other suitors for the 38-year-old righty.
- J.C. Romero's agent Melvin Roman told Goold he has heard from the Cardinals and expects to have a discussion at the Winter Meetings. The 35-year-old southpaw is open to a one-year deal after allowing 44 baserunners in 24 2/3 big league innings this year. In September, Romero said his first choice was to return to the Rockies.
- Mozeliak commented on his team's shortstop situation to Goold: "If we had to wake up and give Tyler Greene an opportunity (at shortstop) we would be comfortable with that." The Cardinals have an internal debate about whether to give Greene the job, Mozeliak told B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com. Rafael Furcal is willing to wait on the Pujols negotiations to a point, though you have to think he'll pounce if a strong three-year offer comes along from another team. Goold believes Jimmy Rollins could be a possibility for the Cardinals at shortstop if Pujols signs elsewhere.
- Regarding the bullpen, Mozeliak told Rains, "There may be some things that we look at in January to add depth to that but I don't think we see anything short term on that now."
- Rains also learned that Bryan Anderson and Tony Cruz will compete for the Cardinals' backup catcher job, and the team has interest in retaining free agent infielder Nick Punto.
Cubs Pursuing Albert Pujols & Prince Fielder
The Cubs are pursuing both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Cubs like Pujols’ defense and are more willing to sign him to a long-term deal, even though Fielder’s three years younger.
The Cubs intend to rebuild, but they’re interested in signing one of the free agent first basemen, partly because they don’t expect many of baseball’s best hitters to hit the open market in upcoming offseasons. The Dodgers just locked up Matt Kemp and extensions for Josh Hamilton, Jacoby Ellsbury and others may follow. Plus, restrictions on amateur spending make it more difficult to build exclusively through the draft.
The Cardinals and Marlins are also interested in Pujols, while Fielder has drawn interest from the Nationals and Brewers. The Rangers could enter the mix for both players and the Mariners may have interest in Fielder.
NL Central Notes: Saito, Fielder, Pujols
The Astros announced last night that GM Ed Wade and longtime executive Tal Smith have been dismissed. Here are some notes from the NL Central…
- The Brewers announced Johnny Narron will replace Dale Sveum as their hitting coach. Narron, who's the older brother of Brewers bench coach Jerry Narron, had previously worked with the Rangers and developed a strong relationship with Josh Hamilton. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reaction from GM Doug Melvin, manager Ron Roenicke and Narron.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Brewers need relievers (assuming Francisco Rodriguez turns down arbitration).
- The Brewers have maintained dialogue with the agent for free agent reliever Takashi Saito, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- Baseball executives tell Yahoo’s Jeff Passan that they have trouble identifying a team other than the Cardinals that’s a realistic potential destination for Albert Pujols. The Marlins bid on Pujols, but they aren’t seen as a realistic suitor.
- Generally speaking, Passan’s sources say they prefer overweight players to aging ones. This could play in Prince Fielder’s favor, since he’s just 27.
Poll: Next Big Name Free Agent To Sign
Two big name free agents came off the board within the first three weeks of the offseason, as CC Sabathia signed an extension with the Yankees and Jonathan Papelbon joined the Phillies. The two power-hitting first baseman are still on the market (Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder), as are the high-end shortstops (Jimmy Rollins and Jose Reyes) and left-handed starters (Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson). Looking for pure offense? There’s also Carlos Beltran and David Ortiz.
The Thanksgiving weekend has traditionally been a slow few days for the baseball hot stove, but think of it as the calm before the storm. The winter meetings are just over a week away, and clubs want to start patching the major holes on their rosters before the calendar flips to January. A full list of unsigned free agents can be found with our Free Agent Tracker, but only a select few qualify as big names. Which of those guys do you think will be the next to sign?
Which big name free agent will be the next to sign?
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Mark Buehrle 21% (4,023)
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David Ortiz 17% (3,311)
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C.J. Wilson 16% (3,145)
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Jose Reyes 15% (2,803)
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Albert Pujols 11% (2,168)
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Jimmy Rollins 10% (1,857)
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Carlos Beltran 7% (1,252)
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Prince Fielder 3% (638)
Total votes: 19,197
List Of Free Agents Who Will Cost Draft Picks
In case the fine distinction between Type A and Type B free agents wasn't confusing enough, MLB has added a new level of complexity to this offseason's class of ranked free agents. This year's Type A free agents have been divided into three groups and teams will only have to surrender draft choices for signing players from one of the the sub-groups. You can read about the details here and follow the arbitration offers with MLBTR's tracker, but if you're only concerned with the bottom line, look no further. Here are the six remaining players for whom teams will have to surrender a top draft pick this offseason:
Also note that the Phillies will surrender a draft pick for signing Jonathan Papelbon earlier in the offseason. No other free agents, even those who obtained offers of arbitration, will cost draft picks. This means fewer obstacles exist for teams wary of losing draft choices and more opportunities exist for ranked free agents looking to sign their next contracts. Middle relievers and second-tier position players are no doubt pleased that the MLBPA bargained for these changes.