Source: C.J. Wilson meets with Marlins

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Free agent left-handed pitcher C.J. Wilson is in Florida meeting with officials of the Miami Marlins, a source confirmed Monday.

Wilson, 31, and his representatives already have met with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason as he explores the market for a long-term contract. The Rangers have said they remain interested in the starter with the winter meetings slated to begin in Dallas in a week.

"It may be a deal where he comes back and says, 'I want to be in Texas,' and it makes sense and we're able to work something out, and it may not," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said last week. "C.J. is looking for what the market will bring. He deserves to be well-compensated."

The Rangers signed closer Joe Nathan to a two-year deal with an option for a third year last week and moved Neftali Feliz to the rotation. Daniels said the club will continue to look at improving, but is comfortable with its current rotation of Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando and Feliz.

Wilson was offered arbitration by the Rangers, but is expected to decline it in pursuit of a bigger deal as a free agent. Should Wilson sign with another club, the Rangers would get two draft picks as compensation. Wilson has until next Wednesday at 11 p.m. CT to decide.

Wilson moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation in spring training 2010 and became a reliable and durable starter for Texas. He won 15 games and had a 3.35 ERA in 2010 and backed that up with 16 wins and a 2.94 ERA in 2011. That makes him one of the biggest free-agent starters on the market.

The meeting between Wilson and the Marlins was first reported by the Miami Herald.

Richard Durrett covers the Texas Rangers for ESPNDallas.com.

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Richard Durrett

ESPNDallas.com

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Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.