2012 MLB Free Agents: Angels Have “Serious” Interest in C.J. Wilson
Mike DiGiovanna of The LA Times is reporting that the Angels have “serious” interest in free agent starting pitcher C.J. Wilson. Jerry Dipoto, LA’s new general manager, sat down last night for dinner with Wilson’s agent.
Late last week, Dipoto told reporters that he was “intrigued” by Wilson. The Angels have been in touch with the left-hander’s agent, Bob Garber, for some time, and Dipoto and assistant GM Scott Servais had the opportunity to sit down with him Monday night.
Throughout the offseason, Dipoto has made it known that one of his top priorities is adding another arm to his already potent pitching staff. LA’s current 1-2-3 punch of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana were all exceptional in 2011. Another thing the trio has in common is they are all right-handed. For this reason, Dipoto has said that he would love to add a top of the rotation southpaw to the mix.
Enter left-handed starter C.J. Wilson, considered by many to be the top free agent pitcher available. While it would be enticing to join an already stacked rotation, Wilson also grew up in California. Dipoto is hoping that this may aid him in reeling in one of the market’s biggest fish.
After speaking with Garber, Dipoto told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com that the Angels obviously “have interest” in Wilson and hope that “C.J. feels the same way”.
Along with the Angels, the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals have all expressed interest in signing Wilson.
Yesterday, Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that his club would like to have Wilson return. Daniels knows that, as the prize starting pitcher on the free agent market, Wilson is “in a great position”.
But just how great of a position is Wilson in? As far as his next contract goes, many are speculating that it will take more than five years and $100 million to rope in the 31-year-old.
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You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.