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Albert Pujols

Cardinals Notes: Pujols, Matheny

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Cardinals fans may be uncomfortable with the news that the Marlins will meet with Albert Pujols within the next few days. However, St. Louis’ managerial search appears to be progressing smoothly. Here are the details…

  • Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears the Cardinals have yet to adjust their offer to Pujols (Twitter links). Jon Heyman of SI.com has reported that the team offered nine years and "a bit more than $200MM" before the season.
  • Mike Matheny has emerged as a leading possibility to manage the Cardinals in 2012 and beyond, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Some in the baseball industry believe Matheny is the frontrunner, but Rosenthal doesn't like the idea of teams hiring managers who don't have much managing and coaching experience.
  • Strauss suggests the Cardinals will complete their managerial search “very soon.”

Nolan Ryan Talks Moreland, Pujols, Fielder

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Rangers president & CEO Nolan Ryan expressed confidence in first baseman Mitch Moreland and cast doubt on the notion that the Rangers will pursue Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols, according to Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“Making a seven-or-eight year deal for Fielder or Pujols is not something our organization is prepared to do,” Ryan said. “I very much expect Mitch Moreland to be our first baseman next year.”

Some MLB executives say the Rangers would be a fit for Fielder, but the Rangers have made it clear that they’re prioritizing pitching this offseason. The division rival Angels haven’t ruled out pursuing Fielder or Pujols, GM Jerry Dipoto said this week.

Texas' first basemen posted a .271/.331/.422 line in 2011, which was 23rd in MLB in OPS. Moreland's an effective hitter against right-handed pitching and the Rangers have shown they can win in spite of his struggles against left-handers.

AL West Notes: Fielder, Pujols, Athletics

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Some rival executives view the Rangers as the team most likely to have a dynasty in the next decade, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The two-time defending AL pennant winners have an impressive Major League team, talent rising through the minor leagues and a lucrative media deal on the horizon. Here’s the latest on the Rangers plus other updates from the AL West…

  • The Rangers could likely afford Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, but Olney suggests the record-setting Alex Rodriguez deal may linger in the minds of team officials. Texas signed Rodriguez to a ten-year, $252MM deal in 2000, only to trade him three seasons into the contract.
  • When ESPN.com's Jayson Stark polled MLB executives about likely destinations for Fielder, the Rangers were the most popular choice (though they obtained just 25% of the votes).
  • For more on the Rangers, including why a deal for Pujols or Fielder isn't a great fit, check out my offseason outlook from last week.
  • Commissioner Bud Selig has given Athletics owner Lew Wolff tacit assurances that MLB will eventually allow the A's to move to San Jose, according to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.

Stark On Pujols, Fielder, Manny, Royals

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MLB executives expect Albert Pujols to re-sign in St. Louis, but predicting Prince Fielder’s next team is considerably more challenging. ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark surveyed a dozen MLB executives about likely landing spots for the two free agent first basemen and the details are worth examining. Here they are, along with more notes from Stark:

  • The average prediction for Pujols’ next contract was more than $28MM per season for 8.5 years. All but one respondent expect Pujols to re-sign with the Cardinals, though there’s buzz that the Cubs, Marlins and Rangers are “gearing up” for him.
  • Executives expect Fielder to sign a seven-year deal in the $22-23MM range. Some doubt NL teams would commit more than five years to Fielder because of concerns that he’ll be incapable of playing passable defense once he hits his mid-thirties.
  • Manny Ramirez tried out for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, but it didn’t go well, possibly because Japanese teams prefer to avoid players with baggage.
  • The players and owners are considering significant changes to the schedule in talks for a new collective bargaining agreement. The sides are considering a proposal that would split MLB teams into six divisions of five teams, ensure identical schedules for teams within the same division and boost inter-league play considerably.
  • Stark hears that the Nationals are focused on finding veteran starting pitching and a center fielder. One executive believes the team prefers Mark Buehrle to C.J. Wilson or Roy Oswalt.
  • The Phillies have interest in Jason Kubel and have checked in on Grady Sizemore. 
  • More than six teams have expressed interest in Jimmy Rollins.
  • The Braves seem interested in shedding salary and they continue to float Jair Jurrjens’ name. It appears that they’d move Martin Prado after his disappointing 2011 season.
  • Rival teams say the Royals are no longer looking to trade for a top-of-the-rotation starter, according to Stark. They acquired Jonathan Sanchez earlier in the week and now prefer to hold their prospects and spend on back-of-the-rotation arms.
  • The Red Sox are less likely to spend on a right fielder if they re-sign free agent DH David Ortiz.

Dipoto Talks Angels Offseason

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10:43pm: Dipoto said the Angels aren't interested in Aramis Ramirez but are interested in C.J. Wilson, according to Bowden (all links go to Twitter). Dipoto said he's looking for an upgrade at catcher, improved on-base percentage in the lineup and a rotation stabilizer. The Angels intend to tender a contract to Kendrys Morales, who hasn't played since an ill-fated walk-off celebration in 2010.

9:47pm: Angels GM Jerry Dipoto told ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden that the Angels may be interested in Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. Morales and Rookie of the Year candidate Mark Trumbo provide the Angels with two internal options at first base, but Dipoto hasn’t ruled out others.

"Don't assume that we have no interest in Fielder or Pujols," Dipoto said. "We don't want to lock the door. We are a high-revenue team and I'm a big believer in acquiring impact players. However, they are not our greatest need and are not priority number one on our list."

Dipoto explained that the Angels intend to pursue right-handed relievers this offseason in order to strengthen the back of their bullpen. Meanwhile, top prospect Mike Trout hasn’t assured himself of a starting job in the Major Leagues yet. Torii Hunter, Peter Bourjos and Vernon Wells have everyday outfield jobs heading into Spring Training and the Angels intend to find regular at bats for the 20-year-old Trout.

"I know one thing, he's going to play every day and if it's not in the Major Leagues then it will be in our farm system," Dipoto said.

For a detailed look at the team's offseason outlook, click here.

NL West Notes: D’Backs, Barmes, Darvish, Dodgers

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The Diamondbacks finalized a new deal with Willie Bloomquist today and the move has had an impact for at least two NL West teams. Here are the details.

Marlins Rumors: Fielder, Reyes, Buehrle, Cespedes

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Just like last year, the Marlins are being aggressive early in the offseason.  But this time instead of quickly signing John Buck and Javier Vazquez and shipping out Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin, and Andrew Miller, the new Miami Marlins are wooing top free agents.  The latest:

  • Marlins president David Samson said on the Dan Le Batard show on 790 the Ticket that the team hasn't reached out to Prince Fielder (Twitter links via MLB.com's Joe Frisaro).  
  • Samson wouldn't comment on Albert Pujols, but he confirmed that Reyes is one of the Marlins' "priorities."
  • Mark Buehrle toured the Marlins' new ballpark and caught up with his former manager Ozzie Guillen in a daylong visit yesterday, reports Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post.  Ace Josh Johnson commented, "It would be great for the team as a whole. He's a leader in the clubhouse and would really help out the rotation."  
  • Buehrle is a better bet to perform over the course of a free agent deal than C.J. Wilson, according to team executives who responded to a poll question posed by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.  Responders voted 14 to 8 in favor of Buehrle.  A GM told Crasnick, "I know C.J. Wilson is a great story, and he's obviously pitched well.  But I don't see knockout stuff, and his arm action concerns me a little bit. Buehrle quietly has been pretty rock-solid for a long time. He works fast and throws with no effort. His recipe seems built to last."
  • Marlins president David Samson appeared on MLB Network Radio this morning with Jim Duquette and Kevin Kennedy, and Capozzi has a transcript.  In regard to free-agent-to-be Yoenis Cespedes, Samson said, "Obviously he is a special guy. We’ve had some guys seeing him. We’re going to see him again. It’s not too often you can get an impact player like that as a free agent but again in our market at a position like center field with a bat that he has, that would seem like a good fit."  The Marlins are sending a contingent to the Dominican Republic for a private workout with the Cuban center fielder tomorrow, in fact.
  • Guillen has been very helpful in recruiting free agents, according to Samson.  The Marlins are meeting with Jose Reyes today, and one Mets person told John Harper of the New York Daily News the Marlins plan to offer Reyes a high-salary, three-year deal.  Personally, I don't think the Marlins will limit their offers to three years.
  • I heard today that while Japan's Yomiuri Giants inquired on free agent and former Marlins top prospect Jeremy Hermida, he's looking to stay in MLB.

Cardinals Rumors: Matheny, Francona, Sandberg

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The latest on the Cardinals…

  • Francona and Oquendo seem to be favorites for the managerial opening, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter links).  However, Heyman hears Matheny is beloved by Cardinals people and has a "real shot" at the position.
  • Ryne Sandberg and Jose Oquendo are on deck for managerial interviews tomorrow, report Joe Strauss and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Terry Francona interviewed today.
  • GM John Mozeliak is hopeful the Cardinals will have a manager chosen by next week, though he won't artifically hasten the process, writes Goold.  Last week the Cardinals interviewed Chris Maloney, Joe McEwing, and Mike Matheny.
  • Rafael Furcal is willing to wait to negotiate a contract with the Cardinals until after their manager search concludes, according to Goold.
  • Albert Pujols is interested to hear the Cardinals' choice, writes Goold.  "Albert would stay if Oquendo got the job," former teammate David Eckstein told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports earlier this month.  

Heyman On Pagan, Braves, Pujols, Madson

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Terry Ryan is officially the interim general manager of the Twins, but Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the longtime GM is recharged and may stay a while (Twitter link). Here are the rest of Heyman’s rumors from SI.com:

  • The Mets have discussed Angel Pagan as a non-tender candidate, but they intend to offer him arbitration, according to Heyman (on Twitter). MLBTR projects a $4.7MM salary for the center fielder in 2012.
  • Meanwhile, Chris Capuano is looking for a two-year deal, but the Mets prefer one-year bargains (Twitter link).
  • The Braves are looking for a Zack Greinke-like return in a deal for Jair Jurrjens, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The Royals obtained Jake Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress for Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt last offseason.
  • Twins executive Mike Radcliff and Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer weren’t that interested in the Orioles’ GM job, according to Heyman. The Orioles requested permission to interview them both, but the Twins denied the request and the Orioles hired Dan Duquette before setting anything up with Oppenheimer.
  • It's believed that Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava got a raise to stay in Toronto, according to Heyman.
  • It’s hard to tell Boston’s list of managerial candidates apart from the one the Cubs have, as Heyman explains.
  • It doesn’t appear that the Cardinals will be able to boost their nine-year, $200MM offer to Albert Pujols by much.
  • Ryan Madson is drawing lots of interest and the Red Sox, Phillies, Nationals, Rangers and Marlins are believed to be interested.
  • C.J. Wilson, Edwin Jackson, Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt are drawing lots of interest, as expected.
  • Heyman hears that Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is pushing for Prince Fielder or Pujols. The Marlins have also expressed early interest in Jose Reyes.

Fielder, Pujols On Marlins’ Radar

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South Florida's MLB team may have changed beyond recognition by the time the 2012 season begins and it has nothing to do with what they'll be wearing. As they prepare to move into a new stadium, the soon-to-be Miami Marlins are targeting baseball's top free agents. They've contacted Jose Reyes and, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, first basemen Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols are also on their radar (all Twitter links).

However, it's not as simple as out-bidding the competition. The Marlins already have Gaby Sanchez stationed at first base and they'd like to move Logan Morrison out of left field, according to Crasnick. Plus, they're hoping to add left-handed starting pitching this offseason, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports points out (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of SI.com reported earlier today that Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is pushing for Fielder or Pujols.

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