What's The Buzz From the Baseball Winter Meetings?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Okay, we need a thread to keep up with everything that is going to happen at the Baseball Winter Meetings. I'll do my best to keep up with rumors via Twitter and potential trades and free agent signings. Let's keep a list here and feel free to post any transactions that you see before I get to them. Thanks all.

** Jose Reyes signs 6-year, $106 million deal with the Marlins.

** Heath Bell signs with Marlins for 3 years, $27 million.

** Dodgers sign P Chris Capuano for 2 years, $10.5 million.

[Greg Ambrosius]

On the rumor mill:

** Jimmy Rollins met with Philadelphia representatives today and the meeting apparently didn't go well. Rollins is looking a guaranteed 5-year deal and the Phillies aren't interested in going that long with the 33-year-old.

** Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel just tweeted that "Unless a bunch of team execs are lying -- which always is possible -- the free-agent market for Prince Fielder appears to be shrinking." He noted that rumors are that Baltimore, Seattle and Toronto are interested in Fielder, but none of them seem like a good match for Prince. The Brewers have not made a new offer to Prince since last season.

** Mark Buehrle is the Nationals' primary starting pitching target, confirms Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com.

** From Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com: "#Cubs met today with Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano. No word on nature of talks."

** From SI's Jon Heyman: "#yankees wouldn't give up either banuelos or montero for danks. Chisox requested both. Yanks do like danks tho."

** The Dodgers are making progress on a deal with starter Aaron Harang, tweet Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio adds that the two sides are close to an agreement. Harang, 33, aimed to remain on the West Coast, so perhaps he's taking a slight discount to sign with the Dodgers.

** The Tampa Bay #Rays are making a serious run at free agent OF Josh Willingham, BB source says

** Free agent lefty C.J. 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.

[NorCalAtlFan]

Haudricourt is trying to appease the masses. Giving you people false hope
You guys have the Packers at least

[poopytooth]

Dodgers are beginning to discuss extension with Kershaw.

For those not familiar with it, www.mlbtraderumors.com keeps a good tally of things as well.

Phillies looking to trade polanco and possibly bring in aramis ramirez.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Jim Bowden just tweeted: "Nationals are NOT going to play on Fielder or Pujols according toNationals source in the know but they are definitely "in" on Wilson/Buehrle"

ESPN's Buster Olney added: "Brewers indicating to others they are out on Prince Fielder, and are moving on."

[Fourslot40]

Six year offer to C.J. Wilson from the Nationals. I think it's a great move... Wilson is just what they need to put the franchise into the next level. If Wilson were to sign, they would form a very young and formidable front-line staff for years to come with Strasburg and Zimmerman in the NL. A potentially dominant closer in Storen (even though they may be shopping him), great young arms in the pen and a capable offense with several big bats... they would be a solid sleeper team for sure. I've been impressed with the Nationals desire to spend money in the last few offseasons. It has to be very encouraging to it's fan base.

[Edwards Kings]

No rest for the weary. The Phillies still the team to beat, the Marlins (is it me, or does their new logo kind of like the old Mariners logo was looking for a new home and got thrown up on by the old Astros color scheme during the trip?) upgrading, and the Nationals building with key, young pitching and offense, it looks like it is going to be a tough division for the Braves to rebound in.

It will be interesting to see what trade Atlanta can pull off. Doubt if they go FA because the big available bats are at first base (happy with Freeman, thank you) and maybe Beltran (no thank you).

[Winston's Empire]

I just read on mlbtraderumors.com that the Cubs made an offer to Albert Pujols. Thats now at least 2 contracts offered to Pujols from teams other than the Cardinals, but I think he will still end up in St. Louis.

[Captain Hook]

Six year offer to C.J. Wilson from the Nationals. I think it's a great move... Wilson is just what they need to put the franchise into the next level. If Wilson were to sign, they would form a very young and formidable front-line staff for years to come with Strasburg and Zimmerman in the NL. A potentially dominant closer in Storen (even though they may be shopping him), great young arms in the pen and a capable offense with several big bats... they would be a solid sleeper team for sure. I've been impressed with the Nationals desire to spend money in the last few offseasons. It has to be very encouraging to it's fan base.

Not sure where that came from but the Nationals have since denied they made that offer to Wilson

[Captain Hook]

Dodgers signed IF Jerry Hairston to a two year deal

Dodgers working on a two year deal with Aaron Harang - another good park for him to pitch in

Miami Marlins have offered Pujols a ten year contract - I know the Cardinals shouldn't match/beat but I don't know if they will.....or if Albert will sign back in St. Louis for less years and dollars

Will be interesting to hear IF the Marlins actually talked to Hanley before inking Reyes about playing third base.....if not and he is an unhappy camper they should trade him for pitching and prospects ........should be an easy deal with Tampa Bay who has seven or eight starting candidates this year and could plug Hanley in at shortstop and make a BIG upgrade to their offense.

ETA
Twins re-signed RP Matt Capps to a one year deal
Twins traded SP Kevin Slowey to the Colorado Rockies for PTBNL,
and have offered FA Michael Cuddyer a three year $25 million offer

[Captain Hook]

The Chicago White Sox just traded closer Sergio Santo to the Toronto Blue Jays for SP prospect Nestor Molina.

Santos should close for the Blue Jays

The 22-year-old Molina went 12-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 130 innings between Class-A Dunedin and Double-A New Haven. He averaged 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched in his first full season as a starter.

[Fourslot40]

Six year offer to C.J. Wilson from the Nationals. I think it's a great move... Wilson is just what they need to put the franchise into the next level. If Wilson were to sign, they would form a very young and formidable front-line staff for years to come with Strasburg and Zimmerman in the NL. A potentially dominant closer in Storen (even though they may be shopping him), great young arms in the pen and a capable offense with several big bats... they would be a solid sleeper team for sure. I've been impressed with the Nationals desire to spend money in the last few offseasons. It has to be very encouraging to it's fan base.

Not sure where that came from but the Nationals have since denied they made that offer to Wilson

Jim Duquette reported it yesterday.

[Bama]

Teams starting the crazinest early this year. Another team packing it in and building for the future before the season starts and one team trying to overpay on every aging-injuryprone free agent that will listen.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I understand why they are doing it, but can anyone justify the Marlins giving Albert Pujols a 10-year contract? Even if you believe he is only 31 right now (seems older!!), he will look even older than Alex Rodriguez does now with a ton of years left on his 10-year contract. This is crazy, but again, I know why they are doing it. I just can't justify TEN YEARS!!!

Cardinals fans must be feeling queezy right now. I hope he returns to St. Louis.

[ToddZ]

You really cannot look at all contracts in terms of how well a player will be performing at the end of the deal in comparison to the salary at that time. With guys like Pujols, it is HOW MUCH MONEY WILL HE MAKE THE FRANCHISE over the entire term of the contract.

As an example, from a baseball standpoint, the contact and posting the Red Sox had to pay for Dice-BB was and is a total bust. However, from a financial standpoint, the club has actually MADE MONEY when you factor in marketing, obviously in Japan.

I can count at least 4 "value added" aspects to the Marlins signing Pujols that extend past "bang for the baseball buck."

1. Combined with the new park, it insures a season's worth of sellouts or near sellouts
2. Adds value to the local TV/radio
3. Gives them a better shot at the playoffs and the associated playoff money
4. Assuming he stays healthy, when he is challenging for various records, the attendance will be up (if it is not already)

If it takes locking him up for 10 years to make sure you have him on your team the first 6 or 7, then from a financial perspective, the contract makes sense. The money the team made in those first 6 or 7 pays for the last 3 or 4.

[Winston's Empire]

I am literally going to be shocked if the Cardinals don't hold onto Albert Pujols! Honestly, of all the guys you wouldn't think would leave there original team, he is near the top of the list. He has won 2 World Series there, MVP's etc. etc... and not to mention what he means to that city!
The closer this gets to a conclusion, the more I am in shock! STEP UP ST. LOUIS!!!

[Captain Hook]

I am literally going to be shocked if the Cardinals don't hold onto Albert Pujols! Honestly, of all the guys you wouldn't think would leave there original team, he is near the top of the list. He has won 2 World Series there, MVP's etc. etc... and not to mention what he means to that city!
The closer this gets to a conclusion, the more I am in shock! STEP UP ST. LOUIS!!!

I hear you - must be tough for the Cardinal fans - BUT the good news is that while the Marlins offer was for ten years it wasn't for the money Pujols and his agent are looking for. If they had put $250 million on the table St. Louis would be hard pressed to re-sign him but $200 mil for 10 years they could beat at 8 or 9 years with more $$ per year - assuming they want to

[Winston's Empire]

Between Pujols and Fielder there are just so many twists and turns. I am more interested to see where these two end up than I have been on other F/A's over the past few years.
- I would love to see Prince land in a Cubs uniform or stay with the Brewers, but could also see him in Baltimore or Seattle.
- Pujols - Anything besides going back to St. Louis will truly be a shock for me. He is our generations Babe Ruth in my opinion.

[Ryan C]

Whoa!

Mets got busy tonight.

Frank Franciso - 2 years/12 million to be the closer

Jon Rauch - 1 year/3.5 million

Trade Angel Pagan for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez.

No big names - but I think they did pretty well on these moves. They acted quick and filled their bullpen needs in a hurry.

[Baseball Furies]

Wow! Can't wait to go to Citifield to see Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Andres Torres, and Ramon Ramirez. If you will excuse me, I need to run out and buy my season tickets now.

[Ryan C]

Well it's obvious the Mets financial situation is a total mess and if you are a Mets fan you can't be happy. The thing I find interesting is that it seems clear the Mets had no real intention of signing Reyes this off-season. They are broke. They had to know that someone was going to give him the years and money he was seeking leaving them with compensatory picks in return. The only question left then is why didn't they deal him at the trade deadline, when his value was as high as it's ever been?

I've read some theories that the Mets held onto Reyes simply to reap whatever they could from the tickets he would help sell in the season's final months. So the question is, did management direct Alderson NOT to trade Reyes? The biggest question for this season will be when and if they trade David Wright. They are stuck (saddled?) with Santana's and Bay's contracts (42+million per year). They haven't publically said it yet - but the Mets not signing Reyes is the first step toward a total rebuild.

[DOUGHBOYS]

I've read some theories that the Mets held onto Reyes simply to reap whatever they could from the tickets he would help sell in the season's final months. So the question is, did management direct Alderson NOT to trade Reyes? The biggest question for this season will be when and if they trade David Wright. They are stuck (saddled?) with Santana's and Bay's contracts (42+million per year). They haven't publically said it yet - but the Mets not signing Reyes is the first step toward a total rebuild.

First, there are few people that go to the ball park with Jose Reyes as a determining factor in paying for the game.

Second, if there is anything Mets management have been masters at, it is indecision. By keeping Reyes, they gave their fans hope (and maybe management itself) that there was a chance at signing Reyes.
Reyes would go on to win the batting title but was even boo'ed for that in getting a bunt single and then not playing the rest of the game.
Even when a Met does something right, they do it wrong.


Third, the Mets are a big market team that has to take on a small market mentality. They haven't grasped the reality of this. This could be their opening day lineup for next year:

1. Torres, cf
2. Murphy, 2b
3. Wright, 3b
4. Davis, 1b
5. Bay, lf
6. Duda, rf
7. Tejada, ss
8. Thole, c
9. Santana, p

This looks like a midstream major league lineup. To a lefty-righty manager, it is a flat out wet dream.
But, the pitfalls are obvious.
The top four players will be lucky to play even 60 games together.
The depth needed to replace those players is not available.
Defensive problems are at most positions.
Santana is a question mark himself and even at that,he is still there best hope in a starting pitcher.

Fourth, and this may be the largest problem, the Mets do not have the luxury of rebuilding.
They are a New York team under constant public scrutiny.
By NY laws, they are not allowed to rebuild or at the least, use the term 'rebuild'.
This probably factored into the Mets decision to keep Reyes. Had they been the Portland Mets, most likely, Reyes would have been traded.
The Mets are stuck between the Yankees and a hard space.
It'll take them awhile to figure out how to escape.

[Captain Hook]

Colorado Rockies have traded closer Huston Street to the Padres for a PTBNL. Rockies will also be picking up a sizeable portion of Street's $8 mil 2012 contract.....but a move to Petco could help Street's numbers a bit as a flyball pitcher

[Winston's Empire]

•Pujols is likely heading back to the Cardinals, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. He says the Marlins are shifting their attention to Prince Fielder, while several others say they'll turn to pitching targets.

In a lot of ways I hope this is all true. Mostly because I can't wait for Prince Fielder to choke slam Hanley for being such a biatch on and off the field!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Wow, the Marlins just signed Mark Buerhle to a 4-year, $58 million deal. That's a lot for this veteran. Ken Rosenthal is now saying that CJ Wilson will sign with the Angels. Crazy. The pieces are falling. Will Pujols re-sign with the Cardinals? Where will Prince go? The pieces are starting to fall into place and at big, big prices.