Cleveland Sports Forum

The Ozzie Guillen Syndrome. I wouldn't be surprised if Pujols ends up in Miami.

C.J. Wilson joins Albert Pujols with Angels
By Matt Brooks

C.J. Wilson will be sporting some new red threads this spring. (Ronald Martinez - Getty Images) The Miami Marlins made the early headlines at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have officially stolen the show.

On the same morning they landed free agent first baseman Albert Pujols with a 10-year, $250 million contract offer, the Angels snatched up one of the top starting pitchers on the market in lefty C.J. Wilson.

According to Wilson’s agent, Bob Garber, Wilson’s deal is worth about $77.5 million over five years , as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

After helping the Texas Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances, the 31-year-old reportedly told his former team that he planned to sign with its American League West rivals on Thursday morning.

The additions of Pujols and Wilson immediately make the Angels the front-runner in the West and serious contenders to return to the World Series for the first time since they won it in 2002.

Wilson will complement a staff loaded with talented right-handers in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, and give the Angels one of the most imposing starting rotations in the league.

According to Fox Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal, Wilson made his decision at 5:30 a.m., and potentially could have gotten significantly more money had he remained on the market.


Despite struggling at times in the postseason, Wilson’s overall numbers from 2011 were stellar. He posted a 16-7 record with a 2.94 ERA and 206 strikeouts. And after a two-year playoff drought, it appears the Halos suddenly have the makings of a postseason force once again.

Marlins Were High Bidders For Pujols, Wilson

By Tim Dierkes [December 8 at 11:54am CST]

With $191MM committed to Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Heath Bell, Marlins fans can't complain about their offseason so far. Only one of the 5,020 entrants in MLBTR's free agent prediction contest, Matthew Lazear, correctly guessed in November that the Marlins would sign all three. However, it's interesting to note that the Marlins also made the highest bids on top free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, who ultimately went to the Angels today.

Pujols received ten years and $254MM from the Angels, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today says the Marlins offered ten years and $275MM. That would have tied Alex Rodriguez for the largest contract guarantee in baseball history. Nightengale says that with incentives and Florida's lack of a state income tax, the deal could have been worth nearly $300MM.

Wilson signed a five-year, $77.5MM deal with the Halos, but agent Bob Garber told Ken Rosenthal Wilson could "easily" have gotten $100MM, and the Marlins "would not let it go." Said Wilson: "If it was about the money, I'd be a Florida Marlin."

The Marlins reportedly stuck to their policy of not including a no-trade clause for either player, which may have been a factor in their decisions.

As great as Pujols is, he's almost certainly going to be overpaid for a big portion of his career. The question is how many rings the Angels need to win for the contract to be "worth it." The Halos still have some weaknesses, but Pujols has won two rings with probably the two worst World Series champions of all time. He can certainly win in Anaheim.

If the HGH testing ever happens, Pujols will be caught.

Agreed if manny is a cheater gotta believe that Pujols is too.

Alex Gonzalez to sign with the Brewers.

When asked if he would sign with the Phillies, Omar Vizquel told Manuel Lira of the Venezuelan newspaper Lider en Deportes (passed on by ESPN's Enrique Rojas) that "We're working on it." Vizquel turns 45 in April and would be playing his 24th Major League season in 2012. Vizquel played under Charlie Manuel when Manuel managed the Indians from 2000-02.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Yankees are close to signing former Indians top prospect Adam Miller to a minor league contract.
A former first-round pick and one of the best pitching prospects in the game at one time, Miller has been plagued by finger problems the last few years and has still yet to make it up to the major leagues. He was moved to the bullpen full-time in 2011 for the first time but didn't fare well in the role, posting a 5.93 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 31 games at High- and Double-A. Still, there are worse gambles you could take on a minor league deal.


Related: Yankees
Source: New York Post Dec 9 - 9:25 AM

So the Tribe spent millions on his bonus and probably millions more on doctors and rehab.

Miller says thank you and trots down the road and signs with the Skanks...

Wonderful!!

rusty2 wrote:When asked if he would sign with the Phillies, Omar Vizquel told Manuel Lira of the Venezuelan newspaper Lider en Deportes (passed on by ESPN's Enrique Rojas) that "We're working on it." Vizquel turns 45 in April and would be playing his 24th Major League season in 2012. Vizquel played under Charlie Manuel when Manuel managed the Indians from 2000-02.

Looks like Philly is stocking up on part-time players.

Ryan Braun Tested Positive For PEDs
By Mike Axisa [December 10, 2011 at 6:46pm CST]

Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for a performance-enchancing drug, reports Mark Fainaru-Wada and T.J. Quinn of ESPN. YokalSports.com was the first to report the news (on Twitter). Braun is facing a 50-game suspension and is disputing the positive test through arbitration.

"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program," said a spokesman for Braun in a statement. "While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Braun, 28, was tested during the playoffs and notified of the positive result in late-October. Elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system triggered the positive test, which prompted MLB to ask the testing agency to perform a second test. The second test determined that the testosterone was synthetic, meaning it was produced outside of Braun's body.

Tyler Barnes, a spokesperson for the Brewers, said the team had no knowledge of the positive test and had not yet been contacted by the commissioner's office. Fainaru-Wade and Quinn say that Braun has told those close to him that he did not knowingly take an illegal substance and hopes the arbitration process proves his innocence. No player has ever successfully appealed a positive PED test.

The Brewers signed Braun to a five-year contract extension worth $105MM back in April, which will keep him in Milwaukee through 2020. He led the Brewers to the NL Central crown and took home MVP honors by hitting .332/.397/.597 with 33 homers and 33 steals this past season. It was his fourth 30+ homer season in his five years as a big leaguer.

Guillermo Mota, J.C. Romero, Edinson Volquez, and Manny Ramirez have been suspended 50 games for failed PED tests under MLB's current drug policy. Ramirez is the only player to test positive on two occasions.

Guillermo Mota, J.C. Romero, Edinson Volquez, and Manny Ramirez have been suspended 50 games for failed PED tests under MLB's current drug policy. Ramirez is the only player to test positive on two occasions.

Can not put my finger on what those players have in common................ Hmmmmmmmmmmmm..

Colorado Rockies No. 1 prospect is, of course, Pomeranz. Baseball America writeup:

1. Drew Pomeranz, RHP Born: Nov 22, 1988 B-T: R-L Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 230
Drafted: Mississippi, 2010 (1st round). Signed by: Chuck Bartlett

Background: In his first pro season in 2011, Pomeranz pitched for two organizations at three different levels, including the majors. He had set the career strikeout record at Mississippi and earned Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year honors in 2010. He was the centerpiece of the July deal in which Cleveland sent him and three other prospects (righthanders Alex White and Joe Gardner, first baseman/outfielder Matt McBride) to the Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez. Because he couldn't officially be traded until the one-year anniversary of his signing for $2.65 million, Pomeranz had to spend two weeks in limbo at Cleveland's spring-training complex. He made his first appearance with his new organization at Double-A Tulsa on Aug. 17, 23 days after his last outing. Pomeranz calmly went out and pitched six perfect innings before allowing two singles in the seventh. He underwent an emergency appendectomy three days later, then returned to throw three perfect innings in Tulsa's season finale. His overall 1.78 ERA would have led the minors if his layoff hadn't cost him the innings he needed qualify. Pomeranz became the fifth player from the 2010 draft to reach the majors, working five scoreless innings against the Reds in his Sept. 11 debut. They were pleased with the way he handled an eventful season but disappointed when he was arrested in mid-October for disturbing the peace in Oxford, Miss.

Scouting Report: Pomeranz threw a 91-95 mph fastball at the start of the season in the high Class A Carolina League, where he ranked as the top pitching prospect, but he was down to 87-92 mph by the time he joined the Rockies. His fastball still played well at the lower velocity, because he keeps it down in the zone and his size and long arms add deception to his delivery. When he's back at full strength, he should have a plus fastball going forward. His curveball is his best swing-and-miss pitch, a tight hammer that likewise wasn't as sharp at the end of 2011. He's still refining his changeup, but it has a chance to become a solid-average offering. Pomeranz's biggest need is to throw more strikes and locate his pitches with more precision. His delivery isn't the most fluid and has a stabbing motion in the back, which hampers his control and command at times. Unlike many young pitchers who overthrow when they first get to the majors, he actually threw more strikes during his brief big league stint than he had in the minors. Pomeranz looked and acted like a major league pitchers despite lacking experience and his best stuff.

The Future: Pomeranz still can improve his changeup, control and command, but he'll get the opportunity to make Colorado's rotation in spring training. At worst he'll begin the year at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He has better stuff than most lefthanders and projects as an eventual No. 2 starter.