Stag5

Of everyone wanting to trade Lowell. He has one bad half season and you are all in the "trade him" bandwagon. Everyone that favors a deal that sends Lowell away should be ashamed. He is this orginization, the new Mr. Marlin. You really think we would have that 2nd WS trophy without him? Doubtful. And to everyone that says "well we got Cabrera who can take his place", well that significantly worsens the defense at 3B and the outfield, Cabrera is better suited to be an outfielder with his + arm. How many of you that favor getting rid of Lowell were ecstatic when you learned the team had re-structured his contract before the season? Oh yea thats right, all of you. How many of you advocated trading him before we even made it to this past May(not seeing if he would break out of his slump), oh yes ALL OF YOU. You too one look at that batting average and decided the #2 defensive 3B in MLB behind Rolen wasnt important and we would be lucky to get a bag of batting practice balls and some pine tar for him. You all make me sick, that you would turn your back on one of the great players this franchise has seen. If you hadn't noticed he has been slowly bringing that average back up, and the power #'s will come as well. He still is hitting those hard line drives like its no ones business. I bet if he pulled a string of 10 games where he hit 6 or 7 HR and 15-20 RBI you all would flip-flop again. All of you who want to get rid of Lowell are not true fans and you have moronically given up on a player for a half bad season. Once again, shame on you. 858190[/snapback] HotRod, I understand where you are coming from but let's not confuse a multimillion dollar player playing in a billion dollar game with our own family members. Carl Pavano felt he owed something to the Marlins but he also had to do what was best for him. Nothing is owed to Mike Lowell except his money. If fans wish to root for him and wish him well that is great...I sure will. But this notion that because he played for us in 2003 and because he signed a long term deal he is owed a gauranteed spot on this team is just wrong in my opinion.

The Yankees have agreed on a deal to buy Al Leiter from the Marlins, Newsday reports. MLB.com is still saying another player is involved in the deal, but according to Newsday, it's a cash transaction, with the Yankees sending about $250,000 to Florida and paying about $150,000 of what the left-handed is still owed this season. The deal is expected to become official today, allowing the Yankees to start Leiter tomorrow against the Red Sox. Jul. 16 - 12:11 pm et Source: Newsday This is odd. What is the difference between paying Al $150k and the Marlins $250k or paying Al $400k?

Miami Herald Marlins, Orioles talking trade involving Burnett By CLARK SPENCER Miami Herald PHILADELPHIA - Talks between the Marlins and Orioles are intensifying about a proposed trade that would send pitcher A.J. Burnett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Baltimore. ``They're getting closer,'' said a major-league source with knowledge of the discussions. While more than a six teams have shown interest in Burnett, the Orioles might present the Marlins with the best opportunity to unload Lowell, who has been mired in a prolonged slump and is owed $18 million in the next two seasons. Under the latest proposal involving Baltimore, the Marlins likely would receive reliever Jorge Julio, right-handed pitching prospect Hayden Penn, outfielder Admin Bigbie and lefty reliever Steve Kline. The Marlins could also throw in minor-league outfielder Eric Reed in the deal. There's an outside chance the Orioles would give up veteran right-hander Sidney Ponson instead of Penn, a 20-year-old who went 2-2 with a 6.75 starts in seven starts for Baltimore earlier in the season but is now playing at Double A Bowie. Ponson, however, is earning $8.5 million this season and is due to make $11 million next year. He also carries some personal baggage. Police detained Ponson for 11 days in his native Aruba during the winter on assault charges that were later dismissed. Ponson also has a DUI case pending in Florida, which will be heard after the season. If the Marlins trade Lowell, they would move Miguel Cabrera to third base, the position where he feels most comfortable. They also would lose Lowell's contract, which could free up money to spend on an outfielder, as both Juan Encarnacion and Jeff Conine are free agents after the season. The Orioles, if they obtained him, have discussed moving Lowell to first base to shore up that position defensively. INJURY CONCERN Cubs rookie outfielder Adam Greenberg, who was hit on the helmet by a Valerio De Los Santos pitch last Saturday at Dolphins Stadium, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a concussion. And nobody feels worse about it than De Los Santos. De Los Santos twice phoned over to the Cubs' clubhouse to check on Greenberg and waited outside to meet the player and his mother. It was not only Greenberg's first major-league at-bat, but also the first pitch. ``I want to know how he's doing every day, because it's terrible,'' De Los Santos said. TIGHT-LIPPED First baseman Carlos Delgado had his left hand wrapped in ice several hours before Friday's game but refused to provide details. Asked what was wrong with his hand, Delgado replied: ``Nothing.'' Delgado started Friday and delivered a RBI double in the third inning. BECKETT UPDATE Josh Beckett said he's optimistic he'll be able to come off the disabled list and make his next start July 23 in San Francisco. Beckett played long toss Friday and said the strained abdominal muscle that forced him onto the DL feels better at this stage than a similar injury he sustained last season. Beckett was out for 17 days between starts last season because of a left intercostal strain.

Thank goodness....I was worried he'd tell us he had a feeling the team was hopelessly out of it.

Sun-Sentinel Marlins and Leiter are on the outs By Mike Berardino Staff Writer July 13, 2005 Al Leiter's return engagement with the Marlins could be nearing an end. According to two baseball sources, the Marlins are giving strong consideration to cutting ties with the veteran left-hander. In the most likely scenario, he would be designated for assignment, which would give the team 10 days to trade or release the 158-game winner. "That could happen soon," said a National League source. Leiter is tentatively scheduled to start Monday in Arizona, but Marlins manager Jack McKeon has refused to commit to a starter for that game. Double-A lefty Jason Vargas could take Leiter's turn instead after going 7-4 with 118 strikeouts in 108 innings at three levels this season. Leaving Leiter in the bullpen isn't a palatable option because of his unfamiliarity with the role and the fact he requires extra time to warm up. He has generated no trade interest this summer. "Al is a wonderful human being," the NL source said. "It's sad. I love Al Leiter. Everything he is, what he represents. But he has been victimized by his own [intellect]. He tries to do a little too much." Leiter, 39, signed a one-year contract in December for $8 million, the most for a pitcher in franchise history. While the Marlins have explored a possible buyout, they are contractually obligated to pay the full amount unless he retires first. The deal includes heavy deferrals that drop the net present value to $7.24 million. Of that, $1 million is earmarked for his charity, Leiter's Landing. Leiter is 3-7 with a 6.64 ERA in 17 outings (16 starts). In 80 innings he has allowed 88 hits and 60 walks while striking out just 52. He has allowed nine home runs and is averaging less than five innings per start, which has put undue strain on the bullpen. In his final start of the first half, Leiter lasted just three innings Sunday in a loss to the Cubs. He recently made his first relief appearance since 1994, ending a streak of 338 consecutive starts. That was also the last year in which he had a losing record. Leiter spent two seasons with the Marlins in the mid-1990s, throwing the first no-hitter in franchise history in May 1996 and delivering a quality start in Game 7 of the '97 World Series. Lately, however, he has heard boos at Dolphins Stadium, where he has a 9.98 ERA. Veteran right-hander Ismael Valdez, out all year with a fractured right fibula, could be close to returning as well. Valdez tossed six scoreless innings of one-hit ball Wednesday in a rehab outing for Class A Jupiter. Bret Boone, Danny Graves, Mike Stanton and Paul Quantrill are among the veterans who have been designated for assignment already this season. Stanton, a lefty reliever who drew interest from the Marlins, will sign instead with the Nationals. Mike Berardino can be reached at mberardino@sun-sentinel.com Copyright ? 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Its a one-season deal..I'd love to have him but can he save many 3-1 losses?

It has not....but when he is added, someone must be removed. That means someone gets released or traded.

Jason Vargas is not currently on the 40 man roster. If he is headed to Florida he must be placed on the 40 man roster and someone must be removed. They can send down Aguila or someone else, but still someone must be taken off the 40 man roster. Am I incorrect?

Probably one of the most accessible sports stadiums in the country. 852361[/snapback] Public transportation sucks there and there is a large hispanic population that I think would go more regurarly if the stadium was on the downtown area. nothing to prove it, just gut feeling after seeing how pationate some of the hispanic (mostly Cubans) are about the Marlins. Maybe this would mean 3K-5K more a night if they were on the OB. 852365[/snapback] There is also a large non-hispanic community in north Broward and Palm Beach that likes a stadium close by too. I am not sure why the word hispanic comes into this. Can't they just be fans that live south? The biggest problem this area has is the real fan base will develop when TODAYS children grow up and have their own kids. My father was a Yankees fan and never switched teams. I am a Mets fan that did switch. Most Mets fans, Yanks fans, Cubs fans, etc stay at home, watch their own team on DirecTV and talk about how bad Marlins fans are. The joke is THEY are the fans. THEY live here. Unfortunately it will take time, but it will happen. The Marlins, Heat, Panthers and Dolphins are my sons life. They will grow up and feel compelled to support THEIR team. The sad thing is some moms and dads feel it is best to raise their S. Fla kids not as fans of the local teams but their Mets, yanks, Rangers, Knicks, etc. That's sad because these kids will never understand that pleasure of rooting for a true hometown team. 852383[/snapback] the word hispanic came from my personal observation, on how vocal they were during stadium talks, on the radio, etc. that's all 852390[/snapback] I mean no disrespect by this at all and I am quite naive when it comes to what many non-Natives have gone through but come on....just from what I know of the Cuban history...their struggle to survive in their homeland, their struggle to escape and their struggle to make their mark in this country...they can do all that but a stadium is too far to go see a baseball game? Naaah. That excuse may work on a fat, lazy American like myself though

Probably one of the most accessible sports stadiums in the country. 852361[/snapback] Public transportation sucks there and there is a large hispanic population that I think would go more regurarly if the stadium was on the downtown area. nothing to prove it, just gut feeling after seeing how pationate some of the hispanic (mostly Cubans) are about the Marlins. Maybe this would mean 3K-5K more a night if they were on the OB. 852365[/snapback] There is also a large non-hispanic community in north Broward and Palm Beach that likes a stadium close by too. I am not sure why the word hispanic comes into this. Can't they just be fans that live south? The biggest problem this area has is the real fan base will develop when TODAYS children grow up and have their own kids. My father was a Yankees fan and never switched teams. I am a Mets fan that did switch. Most Mets fans, Yanks fans, Cubs fans, etc stay at home, watch their own team on DirecTV and talk about how bad Marlins fans are. The joke is THEY are the fans. THEY live here. Unfortunately it will take time, but it will happen. The Marlins, Heat, Panthers and Dolphins are my sons life. They will grow up and feel compelled to support THEIR team. The sad thing is some moms and dads feel it is best to raise their S. Fla kids not as fans of the local teams but their Mets, yanks, Rangers, Knicks, etc. That's sad because these kids will never understand that pleasure of rooting for a true hometown team.

I was never a big fan of D. Lee but nothing he said was off-base or incorrect. That being said he should have said the Cubs fans support their teams each and everyday and left it at that.

It would help if Pierre was a consistent .300 hitter this season and Lowell had about 15HRs and 65 rbis. It would also help if Al Lieter was Mark Redman of 1997. The names may be the same but thats meaningless...Willie Mays played for the Mets too.

Hey, "we" have no idea if Pierre is a "lil queer"....obviously this Cubs fans knows from his own experience? Good going Cubs fan, Juan is a nice catch for ya and I am sure you'll make him a wonderful wife.

Josh Willingham, who was placed on the DL on Wednesday, is likely to miss six to eight weeks with a stress fracture in his left forearm. There was some concern that Willingham might have a cancerous tumor in the arm, but only the break was found. Willingham probably won't rejoin the Marlins until early September. Jul. 8 - 6:21 pm et

I am going to guess that Nate Bump gets Game 3's start if we play 3 this weekend. Resop takes over Bump's role and Messenger takes over Resop's role. Al Leiter remains mop-up man.

I assume the Marlins are preparing for a DH this weekend. Marlins placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 6, with a left oblique strain. Beckett said yesterday that the soreness was slightly improved, but he will miss at least one turn through the rotation after the break. Al Leiter is expected to fill in for him. Jul. 8 - 6:14 pm et Marlins recalled RHP Randy Messenger from Triple-A Albuquerque. Messenger allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings while with the Marlins last month. He'll pitch in middle relief. Jul. 8 - 6:10 pm et

I know it's not MARLINS per say. And I know it's not even baseball. But some players will forever be Marlins and I thought I should pass on this quick note. Splitting For the first time in print, Pudge Rodriguez has acknowledged that he's getting a divorce from his wife of 15 years, Maribel. "Tell them all now that I'm a single man," he was quoted as saying in Monday's Flint Journal. The Tigers have known for months that Rodriguez and his wife were divorcing, but felt they shouldn't comment until Pudge did -- and even when he did, they were courteously hesitant. "It's not my place (to talk about it)," Trammell said. "but as you can imagine, it's been tough. It's been an issue for him for four months now. I know it's been a burden for him, but he still comes to the ballpark and prepares himself as he always has."

I won't go into specifics because everyone else did. This game and the decisions Jack made were beyond odd. Did it cost us the game, I don't know. But I do know these types of moves will cost us games in the future. As I have been saying here since April 12th....Jack must go. He simply is not a good gameday manager, has never used a pen well and these days does not have support in the clubhouse.

We were there a couple of years back and it was very nice....not lame at all.

Cut Reidling some slack. He was not expecting this and probably was upset it came from Harry and not Jack(out of town) or Beinfest. It just happened and cameras are in front of him. He was upset and said he didn't wanna come back. Thats not so bad guys. He could have sdaid much worse. After he said that he had no further comment. It really had to be Reidling. Olsen is now a starter. Leiter to the pen. So the question was do we want Reidling as long reliever and Leiter and the LH specialist or Leiter as long relief and De Los Santos as the LH specialist? I feel bad for Reidling who was looking forward to playing here but an ERA of 7.00+ is a problem. He'll realize that quick enough. Bootleg team...Well, that's an odd word to use. While AJ is always very talkative that sounds like an Al Leiter word, doesn't it?

I was at the game and at about 9:30ish someone came out to the pen and got AJ. AJ then walked to the dugout and chatted with Loria for about 10 minutes. As they first started to talk I'm thinking "Holy Cow" he's been traded. But that's obviously not the case. But ya never know what was discussed...

We had to go before the first pitch. Kids have camp in the AM and a 9:50 start doesn't cut it.

A few of us have been begging for this for a while now. But the bottom line is Mcelon has just a few moves when changing the lineup. Castillo/Pierra swapped, Castillo to # 6 and Delgado/Cabs swapped in the order. Castillo Gonzalez Cabrera Delgado LoDuca Lowell Willingham Pierre

Gang, I'm looking for a copy of the Marlins first ever game. Does anyone know if it's available on VHS or DVD? Thanks!

As one of the major anti-Leiter posters...I think he did okay. Yea his control was again off, but 3 runs in a tad less than 7 innings...I'd take that every outing.