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MLB: Does Winning the Winter Meetings Guarantee Wins in October?

By s.a. rose

Sep 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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2011 Winter Meetings

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) runs on a double. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) runs on a double. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Winter Meetings Winner:  Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Moves: Signed 1B Albert Pujols to 10 year, $240 million dollar deal; SP C.J. Wilson to a 5 year, $75 million dollar deal

Record (2012): 89 – 73, 4 games back of the AL Wild Card

World Series Winner:  San Francisco Giants

Wow! We are already halfway through the stunning contract 36 year old Albert Pujols signed at the 2011 Winter Meetings. Before the 2011 Winter Meetings took place, Pujols was expected to return to St. Louis and C.J. Wilson was expected to stay with the Rangers but both made the move to the O.C. on December 8th 2011 in what turned out to be the second most important day in 2011 for Anaheim’s baseball club. The Angels were in the thick of the playoff hunt all season in 2011 and even had a better regular season record than the Detroit Tigers, who represented the American League in the World Series, but finished third in the AL West behind Oakland and Texas and out of the playoffs.

Next: Rule 5 Review

The then Florida Marlins also made some noise at the 2011 Winter Meetings signing future Blue Jays SS Jose Reyes (6 year, $106 million) and SP Mark Buehrle (4 year, $58 million) ahead of their name change to Miami but finished the 2012 season at 69 – 93 and nowhere near the playoffs.

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