MLB Winter Meetings Day 4 Live Blog: Ben Cherington Reportedly Meets With Pitching Coach Candidate Brad Arnsberg

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Dec 8, 2011

MLB Winter Meetings Day 4 Live Blog: Ben Cherington Reportedly Meets With Pitching Coach Candidate Brad Arnsberg

4 p.m.: The Sox were doing a little pitching coach shopping in Dallas, tweets Sean McAdam.

“Before leaving winter meetings, Ben Cherington met w/pitching coach candidate Brad Arnsberg. Told ‘went well’ but others will b interviewed.”

Arnsberg has served as pitching coach for the Blue Jays and Astros.

3:51 p.m.:
Joel Sherman’s source says that Bobby V. is a big fan of Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima.

“1 exec who knows Bobby Valentine said he’ very high on Nakajima,” he tweeted.

He adds that Valentine “really likes his bat.”

2:40 p.m.:
Michael Cuddyer reportedly has a three-year, $25 million offer from the Twins but the Rockies are willing to offer three years and likely more money, reports Troy Renck.

12:30 p.m.: The Marlins won’t be going after Prince Fielder, says Rosenthal.

“High-ranking #Marlins official says team is not and will not be on Prince. Prince can’t drive Latin market like Pujols could have. #MLB.”

12:28 p.m.:
You want Yu? It will cost you.

According to Heyman, an AL executive believes that Yu Darvish will run teams at least $100 million.

That’s counting the posting fee.

11:09 a.m.:
Now that Wilson is off the big board, what do the Sox do? Edes wonders if they go after Yu Darvish.

Darvish just announced that he wants to play in the MLB.

11:06 a.m.: “Wilson signs with angels $75M 5 yrs,” tweets Heyman.

So Arte just dropped what sounds like $325 million on a pair of players. good for him.

10:59 a.m.:
The Halos aren’t done, as they’ve apparently agreed to a deal with C.J. Wilson, says Joel Sherman.

#Angels have completed deal with CJ Wilson as well, an [exec] who talked to Angels this morning told me.”

10:38 a.m.:
This will be filed somewhere behind the Pujols news in terms of importance, but the Red Sox selected Cubs infielder Marwin Gonzalez in the Rule 5 draft.

So take that, Theo!

9:59 a.m.: Pujols is heading west, says Tim Brown.

“Pujols will sign with Angels for 10 years for between $250 and $260 million. Full no-trade. Pujols decided Thursday morning.”

9:52 a.m.:
Could the Blue Jays swoop in and nab Gio Gonzalez?

Sounds like they have the goods and the relationship, says Susan Slusser.

“The Blue Jays and A’s are frequent trade partners, and Toronto’s minor-league system is among the best and deepest in the game after several recent trades, including the Roy Halladay deal two years ago.

“Oakland is looking for at least two high-value prospects and a few mid-range prospects in any trade involving Gonzalez, and the Blue Jays have potential impact players at all levels of the minors.”

9:50 a.m.: Those Angels are getting greedy, according to Rosenthal.

“Sources: #Angels want BOTH Pujols and C.J. Wilson. #MLB.”

…And I want a trillion dollars.

9:32 a.m.: Sounds like teams are afraid to go more than five years on Prince, tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

“Word is that most of teams talking to Scott Boras about Prince Fielder didn’t want to go the 7 or 8 years they want. They will go 5 years.”

8:39 a.m.:
Ahhh, the famous “mystery team.” Every year a so-called mystery team enters the rumor mill when speaking about the hottest free agents.

This year’s hottest free agent, Albert Pujols, has his own mystery team and whether or not Pujols and his agent made it up just to boost offers is anyone’s guess.

But here’s Buster Olney’s guess on the mystery team matter: It’s not the Yankees.

No surprise there, seeing how they have Big Tex (no-trade clause) at the bag.

8:22 a.m.: Where’s C.J. Wilson heading?

Could be South Beach, says — you guessed it, Jon Heyman.

Marlins currently have best offer on the table but Angels also strong players. Expect his decision today.

8:14 a.m.: And here come the Halos, according to Heyman.

“#angels at “at least $210M” for albert. cardinals r over $200M. belief: LAA needs to be closer to 250M to win the day.”

7 a.m. ET: The winter meetings come to an end on Thursday afternoon, concluding a four-day stretch that was dominated by the Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and Miami Marlins.

Coincidentally, we may find out on Thursday that neither Pujols nor Wilson will end up on South Beach. Even so, it may not be smart to rule anything out at this point.

Pujols and Wilson will be the big names to watch on Thursday, as it’s sounding like both camps — and the teams pursuing them — want to get things wrapped up sooner than later. Thursday could be the day we start to get some answers.

Once that happens, the dominoes may start to really fall behind them. Prince Fielder anyone?

Be sure to check NESN.com throughout the day for all of the latest news and rumors.

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