Ben Badler of Baseball America pegged the Rangers as the most likely landing spot for Cuban slugger Jose Abreu last week, but it sounds like they are going to have plenty of competition.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that the Marlins are “all in” to sign Abreu and were “well represented” as his two-day workout in the Dominican Republic earlier this week. The Marlins project to have a payroll in the $38 million range next season and aren’t expected to be active for established major league free agents this winter, but that isn’t stopping their pursuit of the power-hitting first baseman.
Frisaro notes that blind bids for Abreu are expected to be due today. Many have speculated that it could take $45-60 million to sign him, which would top Yasiel Puig’s $42 million deal with the Dodgers for the richest ever for a Cuban player. For what it’s worth, Frisaro hears from a source that the Giants are the favorites.
