The Big Ballin' Marlins

[love_that_reefer]

With the Marlins moving into their new flamboyant stadium next year, it appears the Marlins are willing to go all in and sign some heavy duty free agents! This is a complete 180 from the Marlins have been doing for the past decade. They have already met with Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle and have plans to meet with Albert Pujols this weekend. They have also been linked to Carlos Beltran and C.J. Wilson. Pretty impressive list for a team that had a payroll of just $57 million last year. It's going to be fun to watch them this offseason and see just who they can land.

[love_that_reefer]

Marlins are saying they are very confident they will land Jose Reyes. If they do wind up getting him and let's say Mark Buerhle, that will put them right up there with the Phillies and Marlins for East contenders.

Imagine this lineup:
1. Reyes
2. Morrison
3. Ramirez
4. Stanton
5. Sanchez
6. Coghlan
7. Buck
8. Infante

That's a damn good 1-5!

[love_that_reefer]

According to FOX Sports, the Marlins' offer to free agent Jose Reyes is worth $90 million over six years.
Reyes is known to be seeking a deal worth north of $100 million, but there's a chance that the Marlins' current offer will ultimately get the job done. Reyes is said to be "intrigued" by the thought of playing in Miami, and also by the thought of playing under Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, a former shortstop. There's also some belief that playing in warmer weather will help Reyes fend off the chronic hamstring problems that plagued him during the 2011 season.

If the Marlins can get Reyes for just $15 million a year, watch out!

[HollywoodLeo]

Watch out DL!

[love_that_reefer]

Oooooooooooooooooooo clever!

[HollywoodLeo]

I kill me

[love_that_reefer]

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Marlins' offer to Albert Pujols is "believed to be" for nine years.
Many have speculated that the Marlins have targeted Jose Reyes as the centerpiece of their offseason plans, but if Brown's report can be believed, they are going hard after Pujols, as well. Of course, this report would be a lot juicier if we had any details on the dollar amount, so we have no choice but to speculate for now. Previous reports have indicated that Pujols rejected a nine-year, $210 million deal from the Cardinals in February, but Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported Tuesday that the offer never topped $200 million.

Daaaaamn! If the Marlins got Pujols, they could trade Gaby Sanchez for the pitching they need. The Marlins offer to Reyes was pretty low so Pujols' offer won't be breaking the bank either but it's a starting point.

[love_that_reefer]

The Marlins hosted free agent left-hander C.J. Wilson at their new ballpark Monday.
"They rolled out the red carpet. They seem to have a plan and made it very clear they'd like CJ to be a part of it,' said Wilson's agent, Bob Garber. "I think he really impressed everybody today with his charisma. I think he'd be a great fit in South Florida." Garber wouldn't say whether the Marlins submitted an offer, but said his client will "probably" make a decision during the Winter Meetings next week in Dallas. The 30-year-old southpaw is reportedly seeking a six-year deal worth more than $100 million.

Wilson joins Pujols, Reyes and Buehrle as the big name free agents to have visited the new park and have a sit down with management.

[Foster]

With the Marlins moving into their new flamboyant stadium next year,

Wait, aren't you just saying, nah you couldn't.

[love_that_reefer]

Looks like Heath Bell is now on the Marlins radar.

[love_that_reefer]

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Jorge Posada would like to continue playing in 2012 and his preference would be to sign with the Marlins.
Posada lives in Miami and at this point in his career would probably be fine with being a backup, so there could be a fit. The Marlins have Brett Hayes to back up John Buck, but they might value Posada's leadership and ability to also fill in at first base. He'd have to be reasonable about his salary expectations, though.

I wonder if Posada's ego would allow him to take a $2-3 million contract. This is the same guy who pouted after hitting 9th last year.

[Foster]

Looks like Heath Bell is now on the Marlins radar.

3 Years, 27 Million dollars.
Signed sealed and delivered.

I lol'ed.

[DirtyKash]

Well, at least it's cheaper than 4 years and $50 million for Papelbon.

Nevertheless, hopefully it blows up in the Marlins' faces.

[Kingdom]

Or in Loria's jockstrap.

[love_that_reefer]

Well, at least it's cheaper than 4 years and $50 million for Papelbon.

Nevertheless, hopefully it blows up in the Marlins' faces.

Anti-Marlins now, Dirty? It's actually a bargain of sorts since Bell could have made more than $9 million in arbitration. They got him for below market value.