C.J. Wilson was surprised that the Rangers never made a serious play for him before he ultimately landed a five-year, $77.5 million contract with the Angels. He said the Rangers discussed only parameters, and those terms were "not even close."
"There was really no comparison between the packages that were offered," said Wilson, who also had a six-year offer from Miami.
Wilson's news is a big story locally, but he is playing second fiddle Thursday to the news that the Angels also signed first baseman Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $250 million contract. Wilson said the balance of power in the American League West has shifted to the Angels.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are staying that they like the club as it's constructed and will continue to get better the rest of the off-season. But they won't stray from their business model to do so, which likely means that Prince Fielder is not on their radar. The biggest focus remains retaining core players like Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz and not trading away prospects who the Ranger sfeel can become impact big leaguers.
"We're not looking to bring in a guy that's going to lead us to break up what we've got," general manager Jon Daniels said.
-- Jeff Wilson
CJ lost in the all-star game, lost in the World Series and now has lost his mind because he lost his teammates and a team that believed in him. He will never be the number one pitcher in LA, and will probably be cut in 1-2 years. But he will be rich. Too bad for CJ and for the Rangers. Hope we can replace him with a real #1 pitcher.
Posted by: Billy Bob Thornton | December 08, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Good riddance. See ya later ya bum.
Posted by: BYE BYE BUM | December 08, 2011 at 01:40 PM
I am glad the LAA over paid CJ and not the Rangers. That is a ton of $$$$$$$ for a # 3 starter. LAA paid at least 20 mil more than CJ is worth, truth is he is not worth even 5 per year, but in MLB even a 250 hitter will make that much.
Posted by: merritt | December 08, 2011 at 02:13 PM
ANGELS WAY, WAY, WAY OVERPAID... BUT THEY CAN AFFORD TO DO SO. THIS CONTRACT AND PUJOLS WILL BOTH STRANGLE THIS FRANCHISE IN THE LONG RUN. CJ WILL FIT IN THE #3 SPOT WELL ENOUGH... HE IS NOT A NUMBER 1 NO DOUBT... WILL CJ BE THEIR RICH HARDIN?
Posted by: JCO | December 08, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Meh. Solid during the regular season, but he stunk on ice when it counted the most. A nice #2-3 pitcher. Not a staff ace and not worth breaking the bank over.
Posted by: Idiot_Patrol | December 08, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Nothing I can add to the above comments with which I agree.
Posted by: John T. | December 08, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Not gonna miss him at all. He nosedived after August and was invisible in the playoffs. Please Moreno, tie up more money in past their prime players? Pujols will be DH is three years.
Posted by: Bud Kennedy | December 08, 2011 at 03:10 PM
He will never be better than he was last year. He has been pitching for 2 years for that contract and he finally got it. Don't you find it interesting that the team that knows him the very best didn't even make an attempt to resign him?! I guess the Halos didn't learn their lesson with Gary Mathews Jr. So long loser
Posted by: ryan | December 08, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Buh bye.
Posted by: Lily | December 08, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Two years in a row CJ crumbled when the Rangers needed him the most. Bye-bye, your not worth what your going to be paid.
Posted by: sam | December 08, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Nolan, take your fat face arrogance and
stick it. you'll never win a world
series. have you ever?
Posted by: ken | December 08, 2011 at 05:58 PM
2-3 years from now the Angels will be feeling the full effect of grossly overpaying these two players. Good luck with that.
Wilson is a 3 or 4 starter at best.
Posted by: Jimbo | December 08, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Every Year some club goes nutso in free agency. Last Year it was Boston and Philly. Year before it was the Yankees. Then the ESPN mikes start awarding the trophy in Dec to those teams. How those teams do?
Don't get worried about the hype. Teams that overpay for players often implode. Think Weaver is happy in LA?
Just name the last player who lived up to those bloated contracts?
Posted by: rcubed | December 08, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Congratulations to C.J. And for those that don't think he will be missed, well you don't know baseball. C.J. gave his best everytime out. Arlington is a very tough place to pitch and C.J. has done it here as well any pitcher Texas has ever had.
i hate to see him go, but can undrstand why he would leave, the fans in Texas never appreciated him.
Posted by: prehist51 | December 08, 2011 at 09:03 PM
NaNaNaNaheyheygoodbye.
Posted by: Billy Bob Thornton | December 08, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Ken
Yes, Nolan won a World Series as a pitcher.
Posted by: TruthSayer | December 10, 2011 at 11:44 AM
About the topic, I like CJ but I admit he can be d-baggish and has an over-inflated sense of self but hey, if I were offered $77.5 million you better believe I would say "YES"!
Posted by: TruthSayer | December 10, 2011 at 11:46 AM