Albert Pujols will sign a nine-year deal for $220MM, Prince Fielder will sign an eight-year deal for $195MM and Jose Reyes will sign a six-year deal for $120MM, according to Jon Heyman's free agent predictions at SI.com. Here are the rest of Heyman’s rumors…
- Some Brewers people were a little surprised that both the Red Sox and Cubs had strong interest in Dale Sveum, according to Heyman. Sveum, Milwaukee’s former hitting coach, interviewed with the Red Sox before accepting the Cubs’ offer to manage the team for the next three years.
- Rangers people are saying they aren’t expecting to sign any players to nine-figure deals this offseason, according to Heyman. In other words, Rangers fans probably won't be welcoming Fielder or Pujols to Texas in the near future.
- One offseason focus for the Rangers is an extension for Josh Hamilton, Heyman writes. They signed the outfielder to a two-year deal less than a year ago, but he’s up for free agency after the 2012 campaign.
- The Mets, Dodgers and Braves are among six teams that have shown interest in free agent infielder Jack Wilson, according to Heyman (on Twitter). Wilson, 33, hit .243/.274/.285 for the Mariners and Braves in 2011, appearing at second, short and third.
I really hope my Mets steer clear of Jack Wilson. His glove is decent enough, but he does nothing well offensively. I’d rather lure Rey Ordonez out of retirement.
I wouldn’t mind him as a back-up or a late inning defensive replacement, especially if Murphy is the starting 2Bman. If Reyes bolts there is no one on the roster that can adequately plays SS other than Ruben Tejada. That’s a problem.
The Mets have some middle INF depth, so I don’t see Wilson starting for an extended period of time if Tejada gets seriously injured.
(Something about how Jon Heyman has no idea what he’s talking about.)
I liked Jack, he didn’t do much offensively but he played hard and he’d make a good backup
He was a pest in Seattle and I liked him to but we need a shortstop we should be talking to Texas and Detroit for some power hitting.
What are you willing to trade Texas for some power hitting? Please don’t say JJ though lol.
The thought of JJ pitching in Texas is hysterical. He would get slaughtered in that ballpark in Arlington. The Braves need to trade JJ while he still has value, but I doubt Texas would have any interest in him at all.
Let’s see, the Rangers have Matt Harrison & Colby Lewis in their rotation. Do they get ‘slaughtered’.
JJ is a better pitcher than they are. JJ has given up 42 less hits than innings pitched in his career. Matt Harrison is +30 and Lewis is +13 for their careers. JJ gives up 1 HR for about every 16 innings. Before you say Turner Field, he actually gives up a few more Hrs there than on the road. JJ is 6-2 against AL clubs (2-0 against Rangers) 84.1 IP 68 Hits 26 BB 50 K’s and E.R.A. of 2.78.
Here’s his record against MVP winners 129 AB 29 H 5 HRs 14 RBIs w/ BA of .225.
Not too shabby.
Why do you think the Braves need “power hitting”? They finished 3rd in the NL in home runs despite the injuries to McCann, Heyward and Prado. The Braves need high OBP guys to compliment the power hitters that they already have.
wait im confused…whats with the 1st paragraph??
EDIT: oh never mind, i reread it a few times and see the “predicts” part haha
If I’m the Rangers, I stay the hell away from Hamilton. He’s great when he’s healthy, but therein lies the rub. I’d say go spend that money elsewhere (perhaps on Prince this offseason?) and let Hamilton walk at the end of next year.
I agree, Prince is a better player with no baggage.
Your cynicism wears on my nerves really fast. You always have something bad to say.
And that’s why you aren’t interviewing for the Red Sox oppening….
since when do the red sox have a gm position open?
Oh little Ben-ben….how how long do you think your job is going to be safe for if you hire Bobby V?
Hey genius, i wasn’t aware that the Red Sox had an opening for a GM. Interesting…
So Managers have zero say in who their team pursues?
How many different ways are these reporters going to come up with to say “The Rangers aren’t going to sign Fielder or Pujols”?
It’s the same thing everyday.
Sign Fielder or Pujols, the Rangers won’t. /yoda
no.
Rangers dont need prince or pujols, we just need to secure josh and go after some pitching.
How about you shut up
How about you shut up? I’m pretty sure he didn’t insist that he’s still using, he just stated facts. Drugs (especially heroin) will mess you up for a long time if not permanently and while he isn’t showing any signs of slowing right now I wouldn’t be suprised if he breaks down a little earlier than most
Just saying something doesn’t make things true..
The very fact that he is an allstar so soon after being a drug addict is logic defying.. why should anyone assume that his body will break down before another players?
HGH & Steroids are well documented to have extremely bad effects on aging and injuries, and how many players who took those drugs enjoyed long careers? So I find it hard to digest when you say something like he just stated fact?
What fact? Show me proof
The designer drugs are usually ahead of testing!
I myself have been in rehab before and know about the effcts that drugs have on a body . There are permanent effects from drug usage . He has also been known to drink quite a bit also which has long term effects . The fact that those will all play in his body possibly breaking down sooner than other players who have managed to keep themselves sober and well trained , is not unrealistic . I really like Hamilton . I think he is a great player and a great person for getting himself cleaned and admitting his problems with his addictions . But he very well could have a shortened career due to his addiction problems .
I’m pretty sure there were alot of players in the day that had drinking problems (while playing). He hasn’t been drinking (we just have his word to go on).
I don’t see him breaking down before most other ball players. He may not be able to play into his 40’s like some do…but let’s get real…most player’s shouldn’t be playing that long anyway.
I really respect your thoughts on the subject, and I really find it endearing that you openly admit your past troubles, congrats on overcoming them..
That being said, Josh Hamilton isn’t a normal person, in terms of raw talent he’s probably top 3 in the entire league. Josh was a homeless addict, to come back to be a perennial all star/mvp candidate is an accomplishment within itself. The effects of drugs are well documented, but Josh is a supreme athlete and he’s a professional athlete who has access to the best trainers, facilities and the time to utilize both.
Any long term contract is a risk, injuries and performance woes can be a factor at any time. However, after seeing the turn around from him, the dedication, passion and faith in god, its hard to not root for him. The biggest risk I see is a chance at a relapse, but he’s been clean and sober this long.
I think we should all allow time to tell the story of Josh Hamilton. Is it fair to even try and predict what may become of him? Look back the day he was drafted, those would never have fathomed the fall. Look at where he is now, those that were apart of his drug days would never have fathomed a rise to greatness again.
I really like what you just said. Very nice.
I think its only fair. No way to predict him on and off the field but we all know how talented he is and how important he is to the Rangers. I would agree at a certain cost he might not be worth it but I could not see them saying good bye to him and not even making and attempt in locking him up. I think it was you or maybe someone else that said HGH breaks down bodies as well, and plenty of those guys carried on long careers.
Mickey Mantle drank all his career. I would take a career like that from Hamilton.
And how much better would Mantle have been if hadn’t drank his entire career? I can only imagine…
you wouldn’t make a very good lawyer.
just stating opinions
just stating opinions
we will never know. Same thing if Hamilton had never gotten into the drug world. He could have possibly been the best player to have ever played. Its all called life, it happens.
And cocaine apparently will make you run really fast in the same place. Just look at Ron Washington.
ever seen anyone after they did a line or two? It looks like they’re on fast forward.
Crystal meth is the worst that I have personally experienced . You get around 5 or 6 others on that crap and it feels as though everyone is in their own seperate world . The girl I was dating at the , who was also doing it , was sitting right next to me while I was trying to talk to her and she just sat there as if I wasn’t there . I even waved my hands in front of her face . And still she just sat there in a daze . Needless to say , after about 2 months trying that stuff , I had enough of it .
All three teams will regret those contracts!
Who’s going to give Fielder 25 million less than Pujols??
there should be a much larger gap between the 2 contracts.
Jon Heyman said it so I guess we have to take it for what its worth.
I think a lot of these predictions will be pretty close. I don’t think Reyes is going to get $20 mill for 6 seasons though. Also, I don’t think Carlos Beltran will get $28 mil for 2 seasons. I think 6/105 for Reyes and 2/23 for Beltran. Also, Heyman really mailed it in and the end of the story giving the last 19 players 1 year and $4 million. I think he’s underestimating Paul Maholm and Cody Ross. Heyman pegged Maholm at 2/14, but I think it’ll be closer to 3/28. Cody Ross was pegged at 1 and 4, I think he’ll get 2 and 11.
2/11 for Cody sounds good. Let me check the bank account first though.
– N. Colletti
This is a myth.
I get people’s logic, but I think most people would be rooting for the Rangers to not re-sign him so their team has a shot to sign him.
Josh is too good of a player to let walk when we can almost certainly re-sign him for a discount. You don’t let 5-tool players walk in his case, without legitimate medical reason.
The Rangers have a great team doctor and if he says that the Rangers are taking a risk re-signing him then i’m all for the Rangers moving on. Just because a bunch of people that have no knowledge of the topic say they think it’ll happen means nothing.
Are you completely sure Dr. Bleacher Creature?
Heyman doesn’t know the first thing about what Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan have planned and needs to just shut up about it.
I agree completely. It’s also funny/annoying to see all of the “stay away from Hamilton” chatter. Dumb.
It wasn’t heroin, it was crack. Both have long term affects on the body but where as crack will make you weak, it is not irrecoverably devastating. Heroin is. I’ve seen what both can do and as bad as crack is, NOTHING is as bad as heroin.
Not trying to call you out on anything, but when it comes to touchy subjects like drug abuse, you have to have all of the facts straight.
I have been in rehab before . I have to say I totally agree with you .
Good for you to take the initiative, I can only imagine how hard that had to be.. but keep on keeping on man!
Rehab didn’t help me quit . Getting married and having kids is what helped me quit and has been keeping me sober . Being in rehab actually made me want to do the stuff more cause I was constantly hearing about it . It even made me want to try some stuff I hadn’t tried before . You hear about it while you are in there and the effects from using it and you’re like “Cool . That sounds like fun to try .” They don’t hardly tell you about the fact that your best friends wil steal from you to get more of the stuff or that it will tear your family apart . They just talk about what effects it has on the body . Foolish .
Good for you man, if you’ve been through rehab then I’m sure you already know that the hard part is over. Stay on the right path
When I read the first paragraph I thought to myself that sure was an eventful half hour since the last time I checked the site. Definitely had to go back and reread that one.
Daniels is in the driver’s seat, he has a young talented team and can make a move if he wants to get a big free agent.
Pujols will sign with the Cardinals, Fielder will sign with the Cubs, and Reyes will sign with the Marlins.
That seems like what’s going to happen. The Cubs have been surprisingly quiet though. Then again, that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Jon Daniels almost never tips his hand, and that’s one thing I love about how he GMs the Rangers.
I hope so those are my picks in the contest.
Thanks Heyman for reporting more predictions. They’re about as useful as the predictions the kid down my street has. I’ll be more interested when the actual signing is reported.
If the Nationals get Fielder, look out. In fact, if the money is right, he’d be a fool not to sign with them.
Can’t you say that about any team?
absolutely not
I don’t get your comment then. He’ll go to the Ham Fighters if the money is right. I don’t see why the Washington Nationals are the hotspot for free agents in your mind.
I mean if the money is comparable, he’d be a fool to accept a deal with the Mariners, Orioles, Cubs, etc…The Nats are on the verge of being a powerhouse in the NL East and he could be the guy that pushes them over the hump. They have a really bright future (outside of the Werth deal). If they got Fielder and another starter, I’d have them winning the Wild Card next season.
Maybe you should take a look at their roster.
Teams that don’t become a contender with the addition of Fielder: Astros, Cubs, Pirates, Padres, Mets, Orioles, A’s, Royals, Twins, and Mariners. Other teams that have no interest/no money for Fielder: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Cardinals, Braves, Phillies, Rockies, D’Backs, Rangers, Reds, Giants, Dodgers, Brewers, White Sox, Indians, Tigers. That leaves the Nationals, Blue Jays, Marlins, and Angels as teams I’d be saying “look out” about if they got Fielder.
Nationals and “if the money is right”.. Ha come on buddy.. If the Nationals offer Fielder a contract I will bet it will be 8 years 240MM. Did you see what they gave Werth???
I will take that bet. There is no defending the Werth contract, but I don’t think that means every free agent they sign is going to get some completely absurd and undeserved contract.
heroin and drug use? are you saying they are two different things? He did crack anyways.