Marlins Making Move For C.J. Wilson

Miami's quest to sign every non-1B free agent enters Stage 5

It has been several hours since the Miami Marlins last signed a top free agent at MLB's winter meetings in Dallas, but team Loria's shopping spree may not be over yet.

When the team's courting of Albert Pujols appeared destined to fail, Miami quickly finalized a deal to bring former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle to Miami. The team could sign another starting pitcher on Thursday, likely completing its dramatic makeover in one week.

The team reportedly offered Texas Rangers ace C.J. Wilson a six-year deal Wednesday night. He has also received an offer from the Los Angeles Angels for five years, and was planning to meet with both teams Wednesday night. Financial terms of the Marlins' deal is not known, but the Angels' deal is believed to be in the neighborhood of $70 million.

Wilson is a California native who is said to like the idea of pitching close to home, but the extra year in the Marlins' offer may be able to sway him.

A converted reliever, Wilson started 67 games over the past two years in Texas, going 31-15 with a 3.14 ERA. In 2011 he struck out 8.30 batters per nine innings, with opponents hitting only .230 against him.

Should he sign with the Marlins, the team would likely trot out a 2012 starting rotation featuring Wilson and the newly-acquired Buehrle with Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. They may not quite be at the level of Philadelphia's four aces, but any other team would be satisfied with that rotation.

Wilson would also be the fourth big free agent to sign with the Marlins this week in addition to Buehrle, SS Jose Reyes and closer Heath Bell. One Marlin is already lobbying hard for Wilson to sign with Miami: Logan Morrison. The two are Twitter friends.

As for Prince Fielder, that plan appears to be aborted only hours after it seemed he would be the team's next target. Multiple outlets reported Wednesday night that the team is not looking to sign him.

The Marlins also worked Wednesday to quash reports that Hanley Ramirez is on the trading block. Team president David Samson told the Palm Beach Post, "We are not angry with [Ramirez and his representation], they're not angry with us, it's a very bizarre. That rumor is really not a good one."

Ramirez had reportedly asked for a restructuring of his own contract upon learning new shortstop Jose Reyes will outearn him.

Contact Us