Quite a bit going on today in the world of baseball. This shouldn't come as a surprise considering the entire offseason has been relatively quiet other than the new CBA and the winter meetings are well underway.
Here are the top stories at the moment:
1) The Miami Marlins, who essentially cleaned house after winning the 2003 World Series to start fresh, have made yet another splash this afternoon and continue to spend money like drunken sailors. Hot on the heels of inking all-star shortstop Jose Reyes to a 6-year/$106 million contract (which happens to be extraordinarily backloaded) as well as all-star closer Heath Bell to a 3-year/$27 million deal, they've landed starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. The deal is reportedly for four-year and worth $58 million. Remember, Ozzie Guillen also fled the Chicago White Sox for Miami and that very well could have played a role in Buehrle's decision. This will be his first year ever in the National League, having spent his entire career in Chicago.
2) The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping for the Erik Bedard of old and have decided to sign him to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. Not a terrible idea for the Pirates as they could benefit greatly if Bedard can remain healthy. I don't think any team would offer anything higher than what Pittsburgh as agreed to, so good for Bedard. Maybe he can get his career back on track in the NL Central.
More after the jump.
3) The San Diego Padres have found their replacement for Heath Bell by acquiring Huston Street from the Colorado Rockies for a PTBNL, who are merely going to pay $1 million of the $8 million he's due next season.
4) The New York Yankees won a bid on Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima by putting up $2 million for him. It's widely believed that the Yankees would use him in a utility role. I'm sure he's thrilled if he spends a vast majority of his time sitting on the bench.
5) But of course, we can't forget about the illustrious Albert Pujols. It's being reported that he and the St. Louis Cardinals are slightly off on their proposed contracts by a couple million dollars. In all likelihood, he'll end up back in St. Louis. However, the Marlins haven't pulled their offer off the table yet.
We'll post developments throughout the evening if necessary.
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