DALLAS, TX (92.3 The Fan) – An exhausting day two of the 2011 MLB Winter Meetings is done, and it seems like things are staring to shape up for an exciting 48 hours.
92.3 The Fan Indians beat reporter Matt Loede shares his thoughts with his notebook of news, rumors, and observations from the first day of festivities at the Hotel Anatole.
* The Battle For Pujols Heating Up – It appeared on Tuesday as if the Albert Pujols sweepstakes was all but over, as the Miami Marlins made an offer over 10 years at over 200 million. As the day went along, things between the Marlins and Pujols seemed to quiet down, and by days end, the Cardinals were having a meeting with the slugger, and there was a third team in the mix – the Angels. The Marlins were hoping for resolution on Pujols soon, but it’s looking less likely it will happen till at least mid-day on Wednesday. The bet right now is still for Pujols to stay put with the Cardinals.
* The Worst Team In The AL Central? – Based on two days of the Winter Meetings, it appears the Chicago White Sox are in total rebuild mode. The team has a young manager with no MLB manger experience, and Tuesday they moved their closer, Sergio Santos, to the Blue Jays for 22-year-old prospect Nester Molina. There was some chatter about the team moving pitcher Matt Thornton, and then a rumor that the team even had John Danks on the block. Danks, Gavin Floyd, Carlos Quentin, and Gordon Beckham could all be gone by Opening Day if Chicago’s rebuild goes according to plan, tweeted Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Talk about a fire sale.
* Where Will The Prince Land – There’s a number of rumors on Prince Fielder, and it seems that the slugger won’t ink till the Albert Pujols saga is over. Fielder’s old team the Brewers and the Dodgers say they likely can’t afford him. That leaves a couple other teams, such as the Mariners, who are meeting with him Tuesday night, and the Orioles, who could be a darkhorse in the bidding. The Cubs would love to get Fielder, and the Blue Jays won’t go over a five-year deal for him, which could take them out of the running. A deal for Prince probably won’t happen for a few days or even a week.
* Manny Getting Desperate – Bob Klapisch of The Record and Fox Sports tweeted out a rather humorous note about former Indian Manny Ramirez on Tuesday, and that is “Ramirez so intent on finding work he’s calling teams directly.” Wow, how the mighty have fallen. Ramirez was a star for a lot of years, but it appears his off field issues, along with his silly antics on the field, have made him a man without a team, and no one is breaking down the door to get a hold of him.
Follow Matt Loede All This Week on 92.3 The Fan LIVE from the Winter Meetings in Dallas! To Follow Matt on Twitter – Click http://twitter.com/Loede923TheFAN
