11:05 p.m.: Since this has turned into the Albert Pujols/C.J. Wilson show, here are updates on both.
Pujols supposedly has three teams courting him — the Cardinals, Anges and America’s team, the mystery team. FoxSports.com speculates that third team could be the Cubs, so who knows?
Wilson, on the other hand, is in Dallas. He’s going to meet with the Marlins and Angels and then go from there.
9:16 p.m.:Â Perhaps the worst-kept secret at the winter meetings appears to be official.
Multiple reporters out of Dallas are tweeting that David Ortiz has officially accepted arbitration from the Red Sox.
MLB.com’s Ian Browne tweeted that the Sox and Ortiz aren’t ruling out getting together and signing a two-year deal at some point this winter.
7:53 p.m.:Â We’re apparently down to a two-horse race in the C.J. Wilson sweepstakes, with the Marlins and Angels in the running.
According to a Ken Rosenthal source, the Marlins are “the best bet” for Wilson. The lefty is a California guy, though, so there’s always that as well.
7:45 p.m.:Â The Washington Nationals had interest in Mark Buehrle before the veteran left-hander signed with Miami. Now, the Nats are turning their atention toward a veteran righty.
General manager Mike Rizzo told reporters Washington is now trying to sign Roy Oswalt to a deal. Rizzo also said that there have been talks for Oakland lefty Gio Gonzalez.
Should Washington acquire either, it would be a nice boost to their staff, as they already have the good young arms of Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman in the mix.
7:23 p.m.:Â It sounds like there’s increasing chatter for Mets starter Jon Niese.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman tweeted that the Red Sox are among the teams interested in the left-hander. The Blue Jays, Padres and Rockies all appear to be interested. As are the Yankees, but Sherman was unclear to what extent.
Niese went 11-11 with a 4.40 ERA in 26 starts last season. He’s averaged 166 innings per season over the last two years.
6:10 p.m.:Â Well, it looks like after reportedly signing Mark Buehrle, the Marlins are out of the running for Albert Pujols.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick is reporting via Twitter that Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano, has notified the Marlinsthat they are out.
However, while that means that the Cardinals are now the favorite, it doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. According to Crasnick, there’s still another team (or teams) involved.
Of course, when it comes to mystery teams, you can’t believe everything you hear. That mystery team be fictional with the hopes of getting the Cardinals to raise their offer a few million.
Baseball.
5:21 p.m.:Â Well, hold the phone. The Marlins’ signing of Mark Buehrle doesn’t necessarily mean they’re out of the C.J. Wilson sweepstakes.
Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi reports that he asked a Marlins source if the team was out of the running for Wilson, and the source replied, “Not yet.”
Morosi reports that the Angels are the presumed favorite for Wilson as of right now.
5:17 p.m.: It looks like the Marlins have added another big-name free agent. No, it’s not Albert Pujols. But Mark Buehrle should help solidify the Fish’s young rotation.
The Marlins have signed Buehrle to a four-year, $58 million, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
The Nationals were reportedly the other finalist in on Buehrle, offering him $42-45 million over three years.
With the signing, it looks like the Marlins may be out of the running for fellow left-hander C.J. Wilson.
3:32 p.m.: A team that doesn’t sign Pujols or Fielder may be able to get a nice consolation prize at first base.
Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena declined salary arbitration with the Cubs, allowing him to sign with another club but also assuring Chicago would net a sandwich pick between the second and third rounds of the June draft, ESPN reports. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez also was offered arbitration and is expected to decline.
Pena has 28 home runs and 80 runs batted in last season for the Cubs.
3:24 p.m.: This just in: There’s a team out there that’s not interested in either Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols.
Crazy, right?
The Rangers, a contender with a need at first base, are not in the running for Fielder, team president Nolan Ryan tells ESPN’s Richard Durrett. Several of the team’s core players are up for new contracts in the next couple seasons, including Josh Hamilton, who is said to be seeking an extension.
Signing Fielder would make it difficult for the Rangers to afford Hamilton, Mike Napoli, Nelson Cruz or Ian Kinsler when their contracts are up, Durrett reports.
3:15 p.m.: The Marlins are prepared in the event they don’t net Pujols.
The Marlins have already put together a Plan B if Pujols re-signs with the Cardinals or makes a surprise move to the Angels, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports. They are reportedly “well on the road” to signing either C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle — possibly both.
If the Marlins are able to reach an agreement with one or both pitchers by the end of Wednesday, it would effectively end their pursuit of Pujols, according to Stark’s source.
Buehrle is believed to be negotiating with the Marlins, Nationals and Rangers, while Wilson has reportedly drawn interest from the Angels.
1:13 p.m.: Not every bidding process for a Japanese player reaches the tens of millions.
The Yankees won the bidding process for Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima with just $2 million, according to multiple reports.
Nakajima hit 20 home runs last season in 130 games with the Seibu Lions.
1:06 p.m.: When Carlos Beltran became available on the free-agent market last season, many Red Sox fans thought it was a natural fit for a team that could use a veteran, switch-hitting outfielder. When Beltran became available as a free agent once the season concluded, that talk continued.
But the Red Sox do not seem overly interested in bringing in the 34-year-old.
“#redsox do not seem enthused about carlos beltran,” Jon Heyman tweeted. “His market appears weak. Back to #SFGiants maybe?”
12:27 p.m.: Soak in that Reyes news conference, Marlins fans. There probably won’t be one coming for one Jose Alberto Pujols.
There is a growing sense among people involved in Pujols talks — presumably including the Marlins brass — that Pujols will return to St. Louis, Busty Olney reports.
It looks like NESN.com Red Sox beat writer Didier Morais and Senior Assistant Editor Michael Hurley’s gut instincts may end up being correct.
12:25 p.m.: Jose Reyes is officially a Marlin.
Adam Rubin of ESPN tweeted a photo of the shortstop holding up his new, hideously ugly Marlins jersey.
12:06 a.m.: If the Cardinals want to keep Pujols in St. Louis, they’d better get cracking.
The Cardinals have not met with Pujols’ representatives Wednesday, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports. He adds “yet,” but the the day is more than half old. If they want to keep one of the greatest players in franchise history around, they might want to at least talk to Pujols’ camp before the aggressive Marlins sweep him away.
11:37 a.m.: This could mean any number of things, but the Marlins have said they will make “an announcement” soon.
“#Marlins just said, they will make an announcement here in Dallas in 45 minutes, at 12:15 eastern,” ESPN’s Steve Berthiaume tweeted.
It’s looking like this might just be a teaser, though. Word is, the “announcement” will be officially announcing the Reyes deal.
Those sneaky Marlins.
11:02 a.m.: Huston Street may be due for a move from the mountains to the beach.
The Rockies closer is the subject of “extensive talks” between Colorado and San Diego, Olney reports. The talks are ongoing for Street, 28, who saved 29 games last season.
10:26 a.m.: The Marlins shouldn’t let a little thing like Pujols turning down a 10-year, $220-million offer deter them from making a splash at first base.
Buster Olney suggests that the Marlins should simply turn around and go after Prince Fielder if Pujols elects not to sign in Miami. You can’t take that new stadium money with you, Mr. Loria.
10:11 a.m.: Will the Athletics have any pitchers by the end of the week? Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey have been part of rumors, and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that reliever Craig Breslow is also the topic of some talks.
9:07 a.m.: According to a Heyman tweet, “#marlins 10-yr offer to albert slightly higher than #cardinals $200M for 9. But in stl, albert has home, legacy and a no-trade.”
He then adds: “Marlins exact offer isn’t known but person in know said it is “pennies” ahead in grand scheme. Believed to be $200-220M, no more.”
9:04 a.m.: Forget Pujols and Prince (ya, right), one of the most-coveted players this offseason is … Gio Gonzalez? You bet, as pitching is at a premium, reports Ken Rosenthal.
“The Tigers, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Reds and Phillies are the known suitors for Gonzalez, according to sources,” he writes.
“Other clubs including the Blue Jays, Nationals, Red Sox, Rangers and Rockies also are known to be pursuing starting pitching, and likely have some interest in Gonzalez.”
9 a.m.: While the Marlins have dominated the first two days of the winter meetings, the Cards may wrap things up with the biggest move here on Day 3.
According to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cards have offered Albert Pujols a contract worth $220 million.
