At the beginning of the offseason, C.J. Wilson said there was a "great chance" that he would re-sign in Texas. Much has changed in the ensuing weeks. Wilson has drawn interest from a third of MLB teams and the Rangers have decided to shift Neftali Feliz to the rotation. Texas' need for starting pitching has diminished since the offseason began, so the Rangers may balk at Wilson's reported asking price of $120MM.
But some team will happily sign Wilson, even if the Rangers don't. Who will it be…
Dick Armada
120 million? What the hell?
Dodgersarelife
I like CJ but I think 75 million is more realistic. This guy is delusional beyond belief.
Dodgersarelife
My NATS want to give CJ Wilson 120 million. Do it my nationals.
Dodgersarelife
I hope you sorry team spends money on this pitcher.
Dodgersarelife
Why do you hate me? Why?
Dodgersarelife
Why do you hate me? Why?
Eugene_in_Oregon
As a Nats fan, I’m sure hoping that the Yankees or Red Sox pay too much…
Dodgersarelife
You nats fans exist?
FS54 2
Probably more of us than Dodgers have money.
Dodgersarelife
Good point.
Dodgersarelife
You nats fans exist?
pastlives
ho ho, oh wow clever, oh my that is good
Dodgersarelife
NATS FANS, leave of you wish for mercy.
vonhayesdays
the lost tribe of endangered nats fans is from Eugene Or
Blue387
I think it will be some other team. If the Sox or Yankees were deeply interested, why haven’t they pulled the trigger?
MetsMagic
It’s November.
Howard
It could be the Angels if they somehow can fit it into their budget, but taking on Wells contract may have hurt them unless they have more cash I don’t know about. If not the Angels maybe the Nationals can I don’t know. This is a tough guess.
Bluebirdz 2
As a Blue Jays fan I miss Tony Reagins
Ryan Klinkert
These words are poison I say!
Richard Gilboy
The Red Sox won’t sign him, they still need to make bank to hand out Ellsbury an extension some point in 2012.
YanksFanSince78
Sox probably won’t sign him simply because they don’t really need him. With Lester, Beckett and a healthy Buchholz they really need a solid #3 or #4 type than they do someone getting paid to be an ace. Consider that they have about $26 mil tied into 2 pitchers (Dice K and Lackey) that may not even pitch and it makes it less likely.
I think if Oswalt can be had for 2/$20 then he would be a pricey but less risky splurge if they didn’t want to go with a traditional back end type.
if they let Ortiz walk then along with what they save from Paps, Drew, Wake, Cameron, etc they have enough to cover a Ells extension and signing a good player or two although I would assume they would prefer 1 or 2 year deals rather than another multi year mega deal free agent signing.
piro18
Whomever signs him will be way overpaying for a #2-#3 starter.
David
Voted for the Nationals. Think they’re interested in being a top Wild Card contender this year. I don’t think the Yankees will offer more than 75 million and will not be agressive past it. Will wait till next season to make significant splash. Red Sox have too much salary locked up. Rangers are long contract averse as are the Blue Jays. Royals makes no sense. Phillies can’t lock up salary on him considering they will have to pay for Hamels soon (Lee + Hamels + Halladay + Howard + Papelbon = the complete salary of many major league teams). Marlins will offer but not as much as others. Angels can’t seem to convince anyone to play there for some reason.
Kurisu Rg
I voted for the Nats, too. I think they’ll be team that offers the most money. The Rangers are just going to make a token offer (4-5yrs/50-70 mill) but they are probably going to look elsewhere
MetsMagic
Wild card? Am I the only one who can see the Nats making a serious division run in 2012?
They have a great young team going there. Last time Washington made the postseason Joe Cronin was player-manager. Everything is starting to line up for them.
Madman2TX
Fingers crossed that it’s the Yankees or Angela and that Wilson is successful in those places as Chan Ho Park was in Arlington.
Madman2TX
Fingers crossed that it’s the Yankees or Angela and that Wilson is successful in those places as Chan Ho Park was in Arlington.
rockfordone
playoffs killed him – not a big game pitcher you are right. If he was, Yankees would have him signed by now. They went with Freddie. Does that tell you something.
FrankTheFunkasaurusRex
not a big game pitcher? Is that why he had a 3.70 ERA in the 2010 postseason? It’s not CY level, obviously, but it’s not like he completely lost it.
Ryan Klinkert
They went with Freddy* because he’s 1/4th the price. Money tells me more than just something.
MB923
I seriously do not get you Ranger fans. Why oh why do you want a division rival to take away your best pitcher?
KyleB
I agree with you. I think most Rangers fans are upset and in their mind “daring” him to go to the Angels to make them feel better. I don’t want to see him go to the Angels, but if he does, he does. I’m confident that our offense will beat him up all the same. I honsestly just don’t care.
I disagree with you however that CJ is our best pitcher. I know he was last year, but if you’re going off of who will have the better career and who has the best stuff…it’s Holland and Feliz easy.
Ryan Klinkert
This reminds me all too much of John Lackey after the 2009 season.
As an Angels fan, I tried with all my might to justify bringing him back, but in the end I simply couldn’t. And, mind you, this was fresh after his dazzling post-season performances against the Red Sox and Yankees. It would’ve been far too easy to become a prisoner of the moment.
The complexion of our starting rotation was talented, young and cheap, so why overpay? Sure, he was our ace in 2009, but he was by no means our most talented pitcher.
He simply never represented a true ace, and neither does Wilson.
I completely understand why Rangers fans aren’t the least bit worried.
KyleB
At least Lackey gave y’all a great postseason…CJ left much to be desired.
MB923
Well Feliz has yet to start a game in his career, so let’s hold off on that. If I had to bet on it though I’d probably agree with you though, but regardless going into 2012, I’d still take Wilson over both of them. Although it wouldn’t surprise me if Feliz did well.
Liam_Ho
$120 million for what 6 years? This guy is so lucky the FA pitching class is so weak this year but I still doubt he’ll get that amount.
rockfordone
Just a dream for him – 31 years old +6 = 37. I think he is sol. luckly to get 10
Chipper_is_GOD
As a Braves fan, I hope the Nats don’t get him. But something tells me they will.
vonhayesdays
As a phillies fan, i sure hope the Nats dont get him either , im really starting to dislike them you know
Chipper_is_GOD
I don’t dislike them, but I hate good pitchers. Good batters on the opposing team are fun to watch, but a good pitcher isn’t. Except CJ isn’t THAT good. I mean he’s good and I’m sure the Braves and Phils can beat him, but it would be annoying.
Rabbitov
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
vonhayesdays
and a happy turkey day to you sir
FS54 2
I like how options are listed on the poll: Nationals first, then some random team ‘Other’, and then Yankees, etc. You just want people to vote for Nationals? Anyways, I don’t want to see him as a Nat for that much money, maybe for 3 years, $50 million deal.
Edit: Appears the list is random. Changes after every refresh.
MattCMoore
Haha! I thought it was funny that on mine it said ‘other’ then I scroll down and see ‘Royals’. Cause other is usually last.
vonhayesdays
why are the phillies on this list , i know they have been spending big money lately but why would they try an sign cole hamels light , when the have cole hamels
Diablo 2
I don’t see Angels making a run for Cj’s 120M this kid is dumb..Thus guy shouldn’t get signed and just sit in his couch watching baseball..wow..Angels better not pay him more money then Weaver
Dodgersarelife
Nats fan I assume, your sarcasm evades me. Please explain.
jjs91
I dont get why rangers fans arent worried about him leaving.
rockfordone
They have great replacements – Wilson at 15M is a waste. Sign Oswalt per yr at 10 for two years. I’ll bet the wins between the two over two years will be +3 at most.
jjs91
Like who feliz? They would be in trouble without cj wilson, i dont see why oswalt would take ten per year and with his back problems i’m not sure i’d even want him.
KyleB
People also said we’d be in trouble without Cliff Lee…..
IrisAN
Nobody will sign Wilson if his asking $120M. Absolutely no way he will receive more money than Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver.
John Nolan
120 mil for him??? Hes OK, but hes not Cliff Lee, or CC or Doc Halladay or Verlander or Hamels
Kb
cj most likely going to the yankees for 15-17$ a year @ 6 years. no team will give him 20 a year for 6.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I think he’ll either be a Yankee or Ranger once again.
R.D.
Yankees make little sense to me, they’re much more likely to go after a RH in the trade market then get a 1-2 punch of Sabathia and Wilson.
I was torn between the Angels, Rangers, and Nats. Angels and Texas will go into a bidding war if one goes in so I’m just staying safe with Washington.
Guest 5959
I find it very surprising that a large percentage voted for the Yankees. Almost 3000 votes! I give it less than a 5% chance the Yankees sign him, unless of course, his price drops significantly to $60-$68mm and for 4 years, otherwise he is a horrible match for the Yankees.
I’m voting Tigers or Nationals.
Danthebaseballman
I voted Angels
lefty177
I like how it says Red Sox then other, then it says the rest of the teams that were linked to him thus far