MasterChief

O's courting Marlins' Lee Deal for first baseman being discussed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Roch Kubatko Sun Staff Originally published November 24, 2003, 9:42 PM EST A proposed trade with the Florida Marlins that would have put Derrek Lee in the Orioles' lineup next year apparently fell through Monday when the club couldn't reach agreement on a contract extension with the Gold Glove first baseman. Lee, 28, and his agent, Casey Close, met at the B&O warehouse with Orioles executives Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan, but a deal wasn't finalized. A team source said the Marlins would have obtained lower-level prospects in return for Lee, who can become a free agent after next season. Without discussing Lee, who earned $4.25 million this season and could receive up to $7 million in salary arbitration, Beattie said the Orioles don't have any trades "that are imminent." Beattie indicated that the Orioles might wait until the winter meetings that begin Dec. 12 in New Orleans to complete any deals, but they would continue talking to free agents and their representatives. "It's one of those situations that we really aren't commenting on. We can't," said Beattie, who leaves for Vermont tomorrow and won't return until early next week. "There's no deal or announcement. That's about all we can say." The Orioles have been reluctant to acquire players for the short term, which led to free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez signing a one-year, $10 million contract with the Marlins last winter. The Orioles tried to lock him up for three years at $21 million. "As I've said all along, we're trying to get players who are going to be here for a couple years," Beattie said. "We don't want our main players, our key guys, to be one-year rentals. That was our holdup with Rodriguez and that's why we tried to do a multi-year deal. That's our approach." With Lee Mazzilli in place as their new manager, the Orioles were attempting to take their first step toward giving him a stronger lineup and a better chance to win. They apparently were prepared to hold a late-afternoon news conference at the warehouse to introduce Lee to the local media, but it never unfolded. In an effort to reduce payroll after winning the World Series this year, the Marlins are trying to move Lee, who batted .271 with 31 doubles, 31 homers, 92 RBIs and a .508 slugging percentage. They most likely would non-tender him, as the Orioles did with outfielder Chris Singleton last year, rather than go to arbitration. The Marlins seemed on the verge of making their second trade with the Orioles in three months. They acquired Jeff Conine on Aug. 31 for pitching prospects Denny Bautista and Don Levinski, and he'll eventually replace Lee at first base next season. Needing to boost their run production, the Orioles also have inquired about Milwaukee slugger Richie Sexson, but Lee comes at a cheaper price. They wouldn't have to part with an upper-level prospect or a major league player, and Lee provides better defense and baserunning. He had 21 steals and won a Gold Glove this year after committing five errors in 1,381 chances for a .996 fielding percentage. The Orioles also believe that Lee, who's averaged 27 homers the last four seasons, would exhibit more power at Camden Yards than spacious Pro Player Stadium. Lee posted an .887 OPS (combined on-base and slugging percentages) on the road, compared to Sexson's .883. Even if the Lee deal falls through [en dash]San Francisco, Arizona and Los Angeles are counted among his suitors - the Orioles remain a leading contender for free agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. They also have interest in shortstop Miguel Tejada while seeking a presence in the middle of their lineup that's been missing since Albert Belle was diagnosed with a degenerative hip condition. credit- sunspot.net

If all of a sudden you start seeing a bunch of new members signing up in the forums and voting for Britney. Its Masterchief. :whistle ? You didnt get this from me. lol No offense, but that's truly pathetic if he actually does that. that would be sad that's what he wanted to do when he saw that Jordi Vilasuso was losing.... :lol

I got admit that Alba has a nicer face than Britney. aaarrrggg its too close for me. But Masterchief threatned me if I didnt vote for Britney so I did. :confused i did not :mischief

its getting interesting, 28-14 now

Easy choice for me, Jessica Alba, but I know all you media-blinded teenagers who aren't as smart as I am will vote for the overrated Britney, but oh well I'm surprised my girl Jessica made it this far. i'm media-blinded then :mischief Britney Oh I wasn't dissing all of those voting for Britney, she is definitely hot, but she is overrated IMO, and Jessica Alba is one of several girls out there I would vote for over Britney without having to give it much thought. All cool, not everyone likes the same people, everyone has there own opinion on who is hotter than who

Easy choice for me, Jessica Alba, but I know all you media-blinded teenagers who aren't as smart as I am will vote for the overrated Britney, but oh well I'm surprised my girl Jessica made it this far. i'm media-blinded then :mischief Britney

Congrats to DaGreatOne on getting here, and Congrats to Big Hugg for advancing, best of luck

Britney

Britney :happydance

Although I prefer britney, this is christina at the EMAs on Nov 6th Credit - volumized.net - (Christina Aguilera Nov 6th EMAs) Big Picture.... :unsure :

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Admin!

They normally do them on different days, consecutive days I think? you're right. the NL Awards are tommorow

I'm also going with Lowell

I hate him for one reason, after last weeks 4 yd performance, I decided to bench him in my fantasy league,and that backfired, so screw you Keshawn! But other than that Keshawn is awesome

This team hasn't impressed me once this year. Even if we won, what reason would any of us have to think this is a team going somewhere. Wannstedt is the losingest loser that ever lost, and his a** needs to be sent packing after the season, if not sooner. well said the point is this team won't do anything with Wannstedt, so much talent being wasted by wanny, just gets me angry. and now tennessee..... :banghead

well even though he shouldn't win he is #11 of 12 now :thumbup

I'd like to be a judge

they should bring him out of the bullpen for the first half of the year at least, thats exactly what they did with matt morris from the cards and hes been great ever since .(Even though they had morris in the bullpen for the whole year). You dont want to rush him and have him get injured. :thumbup exactly. when AJ comes back, he needs to regain his arm strength, and what better way then to come out of the bullpen for a while?

snake443us@yahoo.com would love to see it

I was thinking we would announce something today.... i'm just to optimistic :lol but it seems all we are getting today our Florida Marlin champ days and Felo Ramirez day

Happy B-day!

Yeah Admin, thanks for making this season all the better with marlinsbaseball.com. it would not have been the same without this site! world champs 2003!

Happy Birthday!

I believe