Report: Marlins Going Hard After Pujols
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The Miami Marlins don't have a need at first base, but the possibility of bringing in the best player in the game may be too much to pass up on.
According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, the Marlins are going to go all out to try and sign free agent first baseman Albert Pujols.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported early Monday afternoon that the Marlins will meet with Pujols' agent later Monday.
The Marlins have previously met with Pujols, but the reported contract offered to the first baseman wasn't in the neighborhood of the offer from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals have reportedly offered Pujols a contract worth upwards of $200 million to finish his career in St. Louis.
So, the Marlins will have to offer Pujols at least that much to get him to South Florida.
But, if the Marlins can sign Pujols to a contract; the Fish automatically have the best lineup in baseball.
The Marlins would have at the top of the lineup: Jose Reyes; Hanley Ramirez; Albert Pujols; Mike Stanton; Logan Morrison.
There's really no one to pitch around in the lineup and it could be a one-way ticket to the World Series for any player who signs on.
Still, signing Pujols to a nine-year contract will force the team to pay him until he's 40-years-old and his career is very much in decline.
But, Pujols would cause season-tickets to sell out almost overnight, which is exactly what the Marlins want.
The Marlins will make their push for Pujols at the annual winter meetings in Dallas this week.
The Marlins will have company in their pursuit of Pujols as other teams believe the Cubs could push to land the jewel of the free agent class.
