If you’re going to upgrade to a beautiful new home you might as well get some fresh furniture to put in it. That’s the exact philosophy that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has lived by this off season. Last month he moved his newly named Miami Marlins into a brand new stadium and this week he added considerable depth with the big free agent acquisitions of shortstop Jose Reyes, starter Mark Buehrle, and closer Heath Bell.

“Outstanding week,” said Marlins new manager Ozzie Guillen. “I’d never thought we were going to do it so fast, so quick. They [the front office] were very aggressive.”

The Marlins initially received most of their buzz for their strong interest in Albert Pujols, but their most recent signing of Buehrle late on December 7^th, was quickly followed by an end to those rumors. Pujols then agreed to a mega deal with the Angels the next day – ten years, $254 million.

Miami also lost out to the Angels for the top pitcher available, C.J. Wilson. Wilson also signed with them on December 8^th, agreeing to a five year, $77.5 million deal.

Yet although the Angels came out of the fair with the nicest prizes the Marlins still feel that they emerged as the Winter Meetings’ biggest winners. They came to Dallas known as a losing team that was never active when it came to highly sought after free agents – but they left with $191 million worth of prizes.

Loria’s desires to build a contending team that will bring this starving fan base hope began on December 5^th with the official signing of Bell to a three year, $27 million contract.

“It’s going to be totally different,” said Bell. “We’re now the Miami Marlins. People are going to be in the seats. It’s going to be loud and exciting. There’s going to be a buzz.”

When fans think of today’s best closers the list usually includes obvious names like Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon, and Jose Valverde. But Bell has become one of the top closers himself over the last few years. Playing in the small market of San Diego since 2006 has made him somewhat of a hidden gem, as he is the only closer in all of baseball with at least 40 saves each of the last three seasons.

“We know firsthand how tough he is coming out to close in the ninth inning,” said Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest. With the all-important closer role taken care of, the front office then began focusing on acquiring a big-time position player.

And they did not waste any time in doing so. An appointment to meet with Reyes and his agent was scheduled the minute the free agent signing period began on November 3^rd – just one past midnight. The two sides agreed to a six year $106 million deal by November 7^th.

If anyone understood how much of a superstar Reyes was, it was the Marlins. Playing in the N.L. East had only made them firsthand victims of Reyes’ antics for the past decade. They knew the Mets could not afford to keep one of the game’s most dynamic players so they swooped in.

“We now have at the top of our lineup a four-time All-Star, a batting champion and one of the fastest men in the game,” said Beinfest. The signing has sparked a lot of controversy, however. The Marlins already have an elite shortstop in Hanley Ramirez. The plan was to move Ramirez to third base if Reyes was signed, but many are unsure whether or not he would be willing to do so.

Rumor now has it that front office may be shopping him if he does not cooperate with the team’s desires. Just hours after Reyes became a Marlin the team bolstered its weak starting pitching by adding Buehrle to the staff. The veteran lefty signed a four year, $58 million contract. No one was happier about this than Ozzie Guillen, who managed him for years during their time with the White Sox. Buehrle is 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA over his career.

“The Marlins know how much I love him,” said Guillen. “I know how much he can help us. If we have Buehrle, it can make my life a little easier.” This organization couldn’t be any happier with the new toys they just bought. “When we drew up our off season plan, and how we wanted our team look, we are in the A box right now,” said team president David Samson.

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No Angels fans, that was not a dream. And as far as the other 29 teams and their fans are concerned – sorry, but that was not a horrible nightmare. Thursday morning really did begin with news that the Angels not only signed pitcher C.J. Wilson, but Albert Pujols as well.

Veteran outfielder Vernon Wells was ecstatic when talking about the addition of his new teammates. “You’re adding two of the biggest pieces in the market, two guys still young and in their prime who can dominate. This gives us a legitimate chance to get to the playoffs and farther,” he said.

All the excitement definitely begins with the shocking acquisition of King Albert. The Angels were not mentioned as a contender for his services until just 48 hours before the deal took place. It was clear that Pujols was potentially the most talented player to ever hit the free-agent market. Contrary to rumors that had his overall contract estimated around $300 million over ten years the Angels were able to get him onboard for ten years and $254 million.

But, when hearing these circumstances, the situation should not be misconstrued. Pujols was not shortchanged by any means whatsoever, and the Angels were not given an easily affordable check to write. The two sides agreed to the second largest contract in Major League history.

Only Alex Rodriguez’s ten year, $275 million deal that he signed in 2007 with the Yankees has ever been worth more. Angels owner Arte Moreno had no doubt that Pujols was worth the nice chunk of change. “This is a monumental day for Angel fans, and I could not be more excited. Albert’s career performance clearly speaks for itself. He has proven to be the best player of his generation.”

And while Pujols’ star power was the big story of the day, the signing of Wilson should not be overlooked. Unlike Pujols, most people were aware that the Angels were strongly pursuing the lefty starter in Wilson. The 31-year-old grew up just 12 miles from Angel Stadium and did not reassure the Rangers and their fans that he desired to return for another season in Arlington.

His hometown team showed interest and made him a suitable offer. “At the end of the day, my family was a big player in this, and my friends and stuff back home,” said Wilson. “Going back to where you’re from is a difficult thing to turn down when you have an opportunity, and it works out really in every way.”

Although Wilson was regarded as the best starter available this offseason, he did not receive a $100+ million contract like many expected before this October. His lack of a power fastball and struggles this postseason were the contributors in the end. He went 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA in 6 starts during the 2011 playoffs.

Not only does adding Wilson give the Angels one of the top starting rotations in the league with Jared Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana, but it also weakens the Rangers rotation. Texas has won the A.L. West the last two years and gone to the World Series both times.

Now the Angels aim to get back to dominating the division the way they did in past years. In just one day’s worth of signings C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols have also changed the entire landscape of the American League as a whole. Get your tickets now, Angels fans. They won’t be available for too long.

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Albert Pujols, nine-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove award winner, and three-time National League Most Valuable Player has finally hit the open market as a free agent, and the new-look Marlins are not wasting any time in being the first to enter what should be the largest bidding war in MLB history for his services. 

To baseball fans, Pujols’ availability could seem almost as attractive and massive as Miami Heat forward LeBron James’ free agency last summer. Just like James, it appears possible that Pujols could also end up “bringing his talents to South Beach” for years to come.  

The Marlins made the first move in their attempt to permanently bring Pujols there on Friday when he met with the organization at their brand new ball park where, according to si.com, they were the first team to make him a contract offer this offseason.

“Miami is a magnet – the city, the manager, the new ballpark, the players we have. We have a terrific core here. All of it put together is the magnet,” Jeffrey Loria, Miami Marlins owner.

This is the message that Loria was attempting to send Pujols on Friday when team officials had lunch with the man recognized as the greatest player in all of baseball. This occurred during a busy week when the team also met with free agents Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes. 

They also gave Pujols his own personal tour of their new stadium, a modern-day ballpark with a retractable roof that they can call their own. They shared their previous stadium with the Miami Dolphins. Once they made their impression, they allegedly offered him a contract, although mlb.com reports that the Marlins will not confirm doing so.

If they did offer him a deal, one would believe that it has to be somewhere in the neighborhood of ten years and $300 million. The Marlins are looking to become serious contenders in the N.L. East – a division that the Philadelphia Phillies have won every year since 2007.  They also have not made the postseason since 2003, the year they won the World Series over the Yankees in six games.

“Now we look forward to a new era. It’s a new page. I’m excited. There are absolutely are no limits to try and see what can be done,” Loria said. Miami began making transitions towards building a new culture back in September when they acquired new manager Ozzie Guillen back in September in a deal with his former team, the Chicago White Sox.

Now the Marlins seek to continue by signing another big name like Pujols. Most people believed that Pujols would test free agency after not agreeing to a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals before spring training.

Well after winning his second World Series since 2006 with the club this past year and after seeing his future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa retire shortly after, the popular belief seems to be that Pujols has every reason to not only test the waters, but to actually sign with another team. The Miami Marlins would certainly hope so.

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Have you ever heard non-baseballs fan talk about baseball? Well the general consensus among the cow-hide hating public is that the sport is just well, boring. I love baseball, but unfortunately after watching the 82^nd MLB All-Star game, the baseball hate club might be right after all.

The All-Star game has been a staple of every summer I’ve had growing up. I couldn’t wait for mid July to watch the Homerun Derby and All Star game in consecutive nights and discuss how “sweet” it was with all the kids at camp. Now, I pity those little campers.  What will they be talking about at camp tomorrow? I personally couldn’t help but watch a little Family Guy on my computer while the game was going through its mid inning dullness. It was just boring to watch; my eyes were in pain. I wanted to see homeruns, web gems, some late inning drama; not Washington Nationals Pitcher Tyler Clippard. Wait, who? …Exactly.

The game was played at beautiful Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. I mention this because the highlight for my viewing party was the awesome pool behind the right field fence with its scantily clad party goers. The starters for the game were Philadelphia Phillie, Roy Halladay for the National League vs. Jered Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the American League.

I’ll chalk that one up for one of the few right things the MLB did right with this game as both are top pitchers in their respected leagues. Sad though that the AL did not have much of a choice since a large amount of its aces were unable to play in the game, but that’s a different story.

Now, to the lack luster game itself. The first inning breezed by with both pitchers making minced meat of their competition. Hey, it’s a pitchers league now right? Of course, both Halladay and Weaver were out of the game by the second inning proving once again the poor coaching tactics in the All Star game.

In the second inning, Sox nation all held its breath at once when Josh Beckett was scratched from the game with a sore knee. At this point I was still very much into the game as the pre-game hype really got to me. It was when old time announcer Tim McCarver compared Yankees reliever David Robertson to Mariano Rivera when I lost all hope for the mid-summer classic. Yes, it got worse from there.

Nothing great happens until the fourth inning when the Boston Red Sox, Adrian Gonzalez continues his amazing season and bombs a solo shot to right center field giving the American league a 1-0 lead. This was only the first hit for the American League, and the first time I looked up at the TV since McCarver’s off based comments.

Then in the fifth inning, AL manager, Ron Washington brings in his prized Ranger pitcher in C.J. Wilson to show why he was originally picked over Sabathia for a spot on the All-Star squad. Wilson goes on to give up a three-run homerun to Prince Fielder and Washington bows his head in disgust. Wilson would go on to lose the game and folks that pretty much wrapped up the 82^nd MLB All-Star game.

The American League would later go on to give up two more runs in the most non-dramatic sporting event of all time. At least the game doesn’t mean anything like in every other sport right? Oh wait, this is awkward. Well the American League really blew this one and the National League pitching staff looked like a bunch of Cy Young’s.

It was great to see young aces like Jair Jurrjens and Clayton Kershaw show their electrifying stuff because I know I’ll probably never see them pitch again unless it’s on a “SportsCenter” Highlight.

The All-Star game finished 5-1 in favor of the National League.  It will probably be remembered for being the most unmemorable All-Star game of all time; if that makes any sense. Usually, I like my All-Star games filled with stars. I wanted to see Jeter, Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, Albert Pujols, not Tyler Clippard (Two Tyler Clippard mentions in one article? Must’ve been a poor game). Personally, I would have rather this game meant nothing and witnessed another tie again like in 2002 to add a little controversy.

Any press is good press right? Baseball is just too slow for our high speed world and I don’t know if it can catch up. I’m still not sure I will be able to recuperate in time for the 83^rd game next summer.  Chalk the All-Star game up with the irrelevancy of the Pro Bowl and NBA All-Stars; sure looks like its heading that way.

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NL East Preview

Phillies: Even though the team is getting older, and they lost a big right-handed bat in Jayson Werth, with this pitching staff the sky is the limit. Pitching wins championships, and as the core of the team is still together they should win this division and go on to bigger and better things. The only concern here is staying healthy, and with Chase Utley already hurt, the Phillies might have to rely on young players early to fill the void.

Braves: This is a good young team with some dangerous offensive weapons. Jason Heyward is a star in the making and will continue to make strides to becoming one of the most feared hitters in the game. The Braves have a nice team and will stay in the division race, but they just don’t have the arms to stay with the Phillies.

Marlins: One thing you can say about this team every year is they’re young. As soon as the team develops top talent they don’t retain it. They can be competitive and will stay in the division for half of the season, but after the all-star break they will start to drop off as the top teams pull away.

Mets: This team has been underachieving for years now, and as the years since acquiring Johan Santana have passed they have continued to drop off. They have some core talent like David Wright who will push the team, but they are no longer a playoff-caliber team, and need several upgrades at some of the key positions.

Nationals: With the injury to Stephen Strasburg the Nationals won’t be the exciting team they were last year. They do have some nice pieces to compete, but realistically they will be the cellar dweller in this top-heavy division. The future is definitely looking bright for this young team though who has ownership that wants to win.

NL Central Preview

Reds: This team is loaded with young talent, and after winning the division last year they have developed a little swagger. They will compete for the division once again, and there will be no drop-off for this squad. Their hate for the Cardinals will continue to drive them, and create great drama for those divisional games.

Cardinals: Last year’s team just couldn’t seem to put a run together like everyone expected. With an early injury to Adam Wainwright, and all the distractions with Albert Pujols, it will be a long and stressful year for the Cardinals. Pressure to re-sign Pujols will drive management to be on the offensive and try to win this year. This mentality will keep the Cardinals in the race with the Reds, but they will fall short of the overly talented Reds. They will however have a legitimate shot at the wild card, competing against the Braves and Rockies for the last playoff spot.

Brewers: This middle-market team has struggled to climb out of mediocrity and develop into a playoff contender. They mad a couple moves in the off-season but unless their team has a career year, they will fall well short of the Reds and Cardinals who are really the playoff teams in this division.

Astros: The Astros are a team trying to build back up and become the team that made playoff runs several years ago. They really lack the bigger named players other than Carlos Lee. They have put together a decent rotation though with the addition of J.A. Happ, but the team as a whole just isn’t talented enough.

Cubs: The Cubs are an interesting team because they do have a couple of All-Star caliber players like Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Marmol. Carlos Zambrano is a wild-card, and if he pitches to his potential, the rotation could be pretty good with Ryan Dempster and the addition of Matt Garza. I just don’t trust this team who hasn’t been able to capitalize on their talent, and frustrated a great manager in Lou Piniella who quit before the season was over. If the Cubs have a rough start, they may try to move the big contracts they have locked up in Ramirez and Zambrano.

Pirates: The Pirates are just a frustrating team for anyone that is a fan of this franchise. Every time they get a legitimate All-Star caliber player they ship him off to another squad claiming they don’t have the money to keep a team together. The only thing that is really going to change this team’s outlook is a new owner that is willing to spend some money. They will be cellar dwellers again this year.

NL West Preview

Giants: After winning the World Series last year, the Giants will compete again this year for the division title and more. They have great pitching and a well-rounded offensive team. It is extremely tough to win the World Series in back-to-back years but this team is built to be there once again. Besides the Phillies, the Giants are clearly the class of the National League.

Padres: Adrian Gonzalez is gone, and that really hurts the Padres chances of making a playoff run. They lack a solid pitching rotation, and their overall roster lacks the necessary star power to compete for the playoffs. This team will have to build for the future, and hope they can keep the next big star that grows up within the franchise.

Rockies: The Rockies have a very nice team this year, with good position players and a good starting rotation with Ubaldo Jimenez topping it off. This team is notorious for putting together late runs, but with all of their talent, they should be fighting for the division title all year long. This is a playoff caliber roster, but with the defending champs in their division, they might have to battle it out for a wild card berth.

Dodgers: After competing in the NLCS two years in a row, the Dodgers failed to make the playoffs last year. They have a new manager this year, Don Mattingly, and maybe he will be able to light a spark under this team and get them back to the playoffs, with virtually the same roster. They should be able to compete for the division or wild card with their talent, but the ups and downs of this team, along with the inability for the team to gel together could have them on the outside looking in. This team has the talent, the question is simply how badly they want it.

Diamondbacks: This team has some nice young pieces in their quest to rebuild and get back to their playoff form. They could jump up and surprise some people this year, much like the Reds did last year. If their rotation has a good solid year, they can score some runs, and perhaps sneak up on the top teams. I think this team is still a year or two away from sniffing the playoffs, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they made a run this year.

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