Writing from MLB's Winter Meetings: Day 4

It took till early Thursday morning to iron out the details but the biggest deal in recent memory finally occurred at the Baseball Winter Meetings: Albert Pujols signs. 

Early Thursday morning news broke that Pujols agreed to a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for $250 million.This news was so stunning considering that the Angels didn’t jump into the mix until late Tuesday. Ken Rosenthal reports that Pujols will also receive a full no-trade clause. 

In hindsight, this will probably suit the Angels better in the long run. The Angels will more than likely get five to six outstanding seasons out of him, and four OK seasons when he nears the age of 40. If Pujols were to sign with Miami, they would be saddled with a huge contract and an aging first baseman that can’t DH at the end. 

On a side-note, (tongue in cheek), C.J. Wilson has also signed with the Angels for five years and $77.5 million. The Angels, not the Miami Marlins, look to be the big winner at this year’s Winter Meetings. 

After yesterday and the Marlins showcasing Jose Reyes, and signing Mark Buehrle to a four-year $58 million deal, the legitimate front-runner for this year’s World Series falls to the Angels. When Brian Cashman, New York Yankees GM says “wow” to a signing you know something special has occurred. 

Pujols, Reyes, Buehrle and Wilson have all been the names you heard floating around the meetings, but there have been other transactions occurring, though not as mind-boggling, that will help their respective clubs nonetheless; 

• Octavio Dotel joins the Detroit Tigers; one-year contract with an option for 2013, pending a physical
• Nate McLouth returns to the Pirates with a guaranteed $1.75 million, and another $450,000 possible in performance bonuses
• Canadian product Erik Bedard, signs a one-year contract with the Pirates for $4.5 million. $500,000 in possible performance-based incentives are on the table 

The meetings are winding down and I want to thank everyone who has followed me on Twitter @devonteeple. I also want to give a big thanks to Sports Management Worldwide; (SMWW) Lynn and Liz Lashbrook for a great conference, a conference that all SMWW students and graduates should attend. 

Congratulations to Bob Elliott, who is the first Canadian to win the Hall of Fame's J.G. Taylor Spink Award for "meritorious contributions to baseball writing." 

And finally, to Maury Brown, the founder and president of the Business of Sports Network, who gave me my start in 2006. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with you, and I am definitely looking forward to connecting with you at other baseball functions.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals & Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.

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