The Miami Marlins are out of the running for free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols, but they are all in on free-agent lefthander C.J. Wilson, even after landing left-hander Mark Buehrle.
Their hand still might not be good enough.
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| C.J. Wilson has been a starter for the Rangers the past two seasons. (AP Photo) |
Reports early Thursday (see here, here and here) said Wilson was leaning toward signing with the Los Angeles Angels and that a decision could come sometime Thursday morning. Wilson visited the winter meetings in Dallas on Wednesday night.
MLB Network reported Wednesday that the Marlins had offered Wilson a six-year deal; other reports said the Angels were offering a five-year pact. Wilson grew up in Southern California and the lure of pitching at home is strong.
The Angels also have been the most aggressive suitors for Wilson. The Texas Rangers have made an offer as well but acknowledge they may not be able to close the deal.
"Until C.J. makes a decision, we can't rule anything out, but we understand that (Wilson spurning the Rangers is) a realistic possibility," Texas general manager Jon Daniels told reporters at the meetings. "I haven't received a call to say he's chosen to go elsewhere, but we're prepared for that call."
Wilson, 31, went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA this past season for the Rangers after going 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA in 2010, his first season as a starter after transitioning from a relief role.
The Marlins on Wednesday agreed with Buehrle on a four-year contract worth a reported $58 million. That deal reportedly led them to pull their offer to Pujols. The Angels then jumped into the Pujols bidding with a reported 10-year offer worth more than $210 million.
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