DALLAS -- The Marlins used to be largely invisible at baseball’s annual winter meetings, a relative pauper that left the big free agent signings to the fat cats — the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Cubs and the like.

“Usually we sit in a room, watching the ticker on the bottom of the TV, watching the big names going here and signing there,” said Jeff Conine, a Marlins front office assistant. “Now we look at the ticker and it’s our name we’re seeing.”

One day after the Marlins agreed to terms on a franchise-record $106 million contract with shortstop Jose Reyes, and shortly before introducing Heath Bell ($27 million) as the team’s new closer, owner Jeffrey Loria and other team officials flew into Dallas, quickly changed into suits and hurried through the lobby of the Hilton Anatole with purpose in their steps.

As writers gave pursuit, they brushed aside questions, hopped on an elevator and rode up to the 19th floor where, for 45 minutes they made their pitch for the biggest prize in this year’s free agent class: Albert Pujols.

Don’t discount their chances.

While most feel the St. Louis Cardinals continue to hold the inside track in retaining Pujols and the Cubs are also in the mix, others now believe the Marlins have a 50-50 chance at signing him.

If they pull it off, they with elicit a collective gasp within a sport that is already in disbelief at the team’s sudden transformation from coupon-cutters to Fifth Avenue shoppers.

Even the Marlins admit it’s a new world.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Larry Beinfest, the Marlins’ president of baseball operations. “It’s part of the whole energy behind the organization right now. It is a lot different than it has been in past years.”

Not all wet

The Marlins rarely caused a ripple at these meetings in the past. Now they’re making the biggest splash of any team in the majors.

On Sunday they agreed to terms with Reyes on a six-year deal. The multifaceted Reyes will force Hanley Ramirez to third base, a change that might not necessarily agree with the Marlins’ incumbent shortstop. Reyes is expected to be formally introduced Wednesday.

The Marlins are also looking to shore up their starting rotation and have extended offers to free agents Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson, both of whom are left-handers. Sources said the Marlins have made substantial offers to both pitchers. Buehrle will likely command at least a three-year deal at $15 million per year while Wilson is said to be looking for a six-year contract for more than $100 million.

Pujols will cost even more, perhaps as much as $200 million.

“If they get Pujols,” said ESPN baseball analyst John Kruk, “they’re going to be the best offensive team in the majors.”

Pujols has won the National League’s Most Valuable Player award three times and was the runner-up four times. No player in the majors hit as many home runs, drove in as many or hit for a higher batting average as the 31-year-old superstar did from 2000 to 2009.

The timing is good for the Marlins. The usual heavy hitters, Boston and the New York Yankees, don’t need a first baseman. The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, two other teams that usually tend to spend big, are lying low.

As such, it’s a short list of suitors for Pujols, who could be preparing to make a final decision within days.

Meanwhile, the Marlins are already salivating at the thought of inserting Reyes into a lineup that already includes Ramirez, Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez.

Thrill in the air

The prospect of acquiring Pujols has excited even some players on the Marlins. Immediately after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday, Morrison tweeted the following: “Out of surgery. Everything went well. Have we signed Pujols yet?”

The Marlins now have an elite closer in Bell. The future of their previous closer, Juan Carlos Oviedo, remains uncertain. Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, is trying to iron out his immigration problems and return to the United States.

Beinfest said the Marlins would tender a contract to Oviedo, who is on the team’s restricted list. But the Marlins would likely trade him if he manages to return to the country.