Jays among 6 teams showing interest in C.J. Wilson?

[Rhettmatic]

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbb ... _6/8082325

Interest in free-agent starter C.J. Wilson has been heavy despite his disappointing postseason, sources say.

An official with one of the involved clubs predicted that the left-hander would get “at least five years” with an option for a sixth year; an official of another club told FOXSports.com that Wilson could end up with a six-year deal.

In other words, Wilson, who turns 31 this week, appears likely to surpass the five-year, $82.5 million guarantees received by John Lackey and A.J. Burnett in recent years.

The Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Marlins, Nationals, and Rangers are among the teams that have already expressed interest in Wilson, sources say.

One executive who’s in the market for pitching seemed to capture the industry sentiment when he said, “It should be a four-year deal, but I bet he gets more. It just takes one club.”

[Michael Bradley]

By most accounts, AA inquires about every free agent and every player on every team. Wilson does not seem like the type of pitcher he would target; too expensive and too many years attached to him. I wouldn't take these reports at face value. I think it is just a case of AA being AA.

If the Jays don't get Darvish, then I'd imagine they will either trade for a starter or bite the bullet and go with Romero/Morrow/Cecil/Alvarez/McGowan and focus on bolstering the offense and pen. Darvish is really the only free agent starter that I could see AA paying a ton for, and that's largely because Rogers will get some money back on their investment regardless of how he pitches.

[rarefind]

It's one thing to suspect that AA is interested in everyone in the market but I feel that it is more the player agents who name drop Toronto to try and raise the value of their clients.

[xAIRNESSx]

AA's not going to overpay for Wilson. CJ's just looking to get his money. He's not coming to Toronto imo.

[Hendrix]

I'de love to get CJ Wilson this off season.

Inputing a high 2's/low 3's ERA pitcher that can go out and get you 200+innings is pretty much exactly what this team needs.

I don't really think the #'s there would be an overpayment either. Heck it's not even that much more then teams are paying for 60 inning/year closers.

[Raps in 4]

AA's not going to overpay for Wilson. CJ's just looking to get his money. He's not coming to Toronto imo.

+1

[Shimso]

I'm hoping AA is just trying to drive up the price for others.

[Mak]

I would be happy if this was the only big signing we made this year.

[number15]

31 years old, with 1 year of superb "starting" experience.... for 6 years and a high price?

this is a disaster waiting to happen.

Seriously just throw all the money at Darvish. He might bust, but he might also explode, and he is young.... Wilson will never live up to that deal.

[Rhettmatic]

Yikes:

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman
Cj wilson seeks 6 years for close to $120M. Good luck with that. #dreaming

[Nolan]

Yikes:

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman
Cj wilson seeks 6 years for close to $120M. Good luck with that. #dreaming

Sad thing is he'll probably get a deal close to that.

[Randle McMurphy]

That's how much Roy Halladay makes a season, except he was willing to take 3 years from the Phillies rather than 6. It's still a pity that this organization forced themselves into trading maybe the only elite player in the league willing to play at a discount.

CJ Wilson will go to NYY or BOS, I suspect, where they throw out these kind of contracts every offseason.

[vaff87]

CJ Wilson reeks of bust. I wouldn't want him at 5 years $80 mil, let alone 6 years $120 mil.