Here's the latest and greatest on the #1 undisputed free agent of the off-season, Albert Pujols. The reported 9-year deal from the Marlins sounds serious, but we need to see some numbers before we know whether the Marlins are trying to make a splash without actually getting in the water. Meanwhile, cross off the Dodgers and don't count out the Cardinals:
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Sources -- St. Louis Cardinals' John Mozeliak expects to meet with Albert Pujols' agent this week - Jerry Crasnick
"The Cardinals already have one serious competitor for Pujols. The Miami Marlins invited Pujols to their new ballpark last week and made him an undisclosed offer. One source said the Marlins brought in about 10 players for the event to help recruit Pujols and make the organization's interest clear." -
Pujols Offer Believed to be 9 Years, $225M minimum - Tim Brown
"The Miami Marlins aren’t messing around. Their standing offer to Albert Pujols is believed to be for nine years. With a competitive average annual value (say $25 million), that’s $225 million, minimum, and that’s more than what the St. Louis Cardinals are believed to have offered in the spring. Is it possible that two weeks into November Pujols could already have what will be his best offer?" -
Dodgers not likely to add big bat in off-season - latimes.com
"The notion that the Dodgers had entered a new big-money era was dispelled Tuesday when General Manager Ned Colletti acknowledged the team was unlikely to make a run at top-line free agents such as Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols." -
Free-agent debate between Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder a popular pastime - Paul Hoynes
"Pujols, 32 in January, made $14.5 million this year. Fielder, 28 in May, made $15.5 million. The deals they sign this off-season should rock baseball. Brewers GM Doug Melvin and Cardinals GM John Mozeliak will try to keep Fielder and Pujols, but it won't be easy."