Earlier this week, the newly christened Miami Marlins made a substantial offer to free agent All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols. The Marlins, who have made significant offers to 1B Pujols, SS Jose Reyes, and SP Mark Buehrle, look to increase their payroll this off-season and make a splash on the free agent market.
However, St. Louis Cardinals fans hoping to see Pujols in red and white again next year may have cause to hope. According to SI's Jon Heyman, none of the offers have quite yet secured Prince Albert's services:
@SI_JonHeyman: #marlins made offers to pujols, reyes and buehrle. (@Ken_Rosenthal 1st reported jose & albert). "nothing close'' to deal.
The free agent slugger had a "down" year by his standards, but still figures to enter the 2012 season as the richest or second-richest baseball player in history after hitting 37 home runs and a .299/.366/.541 slash last year -- his 11th straight season over 30 homers.
For more on this situation, check out Viva El Birdos, SB Nation's St. Louis Cardinals blog, and Fish Stripes, SB Nation's Florida Marlins blog.