sportsbamer

I live in Baltimore and am an Orioles fan, so I rarely get to see any Marlins games. What do all of you Marlin fans think about Mike Lowell, do you think he will continue to slump? return to his old form? improve and be decent but not the same caliber player he used to be?

BY JUAN C. RODRIGUEZ South Florida Sun-Sentinel SAN FRANCISCO - (KRT) - Determined to rid themselves of Mike Lowell as part of any A.J. Burnett deal, the Marlins spent Friday working with the Orioles on a scenario that would do just that. The teams shifted to finding a landing spot for Orioles right-hander Sidney Ponson. Moving Ponson, who is due about $13.5 million through next season, is paramount to the Orioles absorbing Lowell and the $21 million he's guaranteed through 2007. One obstacle to moving Ponson is he has a 10-team, no-trade provision that includes the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After acquiring him, the Marlins reportedly were ready to send Ponson to Tampa Bay for reliever Trever Miller. Barry Praver, Ponson's agent, said: "Neither Sidney nor I have been approached by the Orioles seeking Sidney's consent to accept a trade to Tampa or any other team." The foundation of a deal appears in place as long as the Marlins or Orioles find a taker for Ponson. The teams apparently were willing to pick up all but $2 million of Ponson's remaining salary. One possibility is the Texas Rangers, who Ponson had a handshake agreement in place to sign a free-agent deal with the Rangers before 2003 contingent on the Rangers moving Alex Rodriguez to Boston. A proposed deal would bring Ponson, Jorge Julio, Hayden Penn, Steve Kline and Admin Bigbie to the Marlins for Lowell, Burnett, and Triple-A outfielder Eric Reed. The Marlins would in turn move Ponson to the Rangers for someone like outfielder Richard Hidalgo. That would give the Marlins one more outfielder than they need since they planned to platoon Jeff Conine and Bigbie in left and move Miguel Cabrera to third. They could solve that logjam by trading the left-handed hitting Bigbie to a team like the Pirates, who are willing to deal left-hander Mark Redman for him. The Marlins might also find a taker for Hidalgo if they are set on a righty-lefty platoon. According to one baseball executive, the Marlins might even consider keeping Ponson. They would still save $7.5 million through 2007. "I think it has to be a consideration," the source said. "(Pitching coach Mark) Wiley had him, so there is some history there ... At times he can be really good." Ponson owns a Fort Lauderdale residence. A source close to the pitcher said if he's traded, the Marlins would be his preferred landing spot. A couple of brushes with the law, one in his native Aruba and one in Fort Lauderdale last spring training, may be giving the Marlins pause. One National League scout's take on him: "I would consider taking Ponson but I'd be a little worried about the health of his arm. ... The thing that scares me is this year he sat at 90-91 mph for six innings. For me that's not Sidney Ponson."

What exactly is Boston offering? I know Arroyo but what else? 871061[/snapback] One had a 3 way with the Twinkies sending Joe Mays,Arroya and a prospect the Marlins way.While sox would get Burnett,Lowell and Romero.Twins would get Mueller and prospects. But there were many others trying to find them. 871095[/snapback] That deal has already been announced dead.

That may be true, but Gammons is a huge Red Sox fan lol. A newspaper article I read earlier today was saying that the Red Sox were having second thoughts about dealing Arroyo and were wanting to try to get Burnett for Wade Miller and prospects instead.

You are assuming that Burnett will be gone after the season, this is one of the places he would like to sign.

The trade helps now and in the future so it helps in a World Series/playoff run and in the future. Lowell will take Bigbie's spot and play LF, or he will DH and Gibbons will move to LF.

I'm not saying the Orioles are going to the World series or anything. But this trade is a no brainer once the money is worked out, they have to do it, it improves the team for sure.

LMAO the O's trading away the only decent relief help they have for a rent a player.If the O's are this desperate for Burnett and are willing to give up Kline and Julio or even one of them then make that trade and quick.Also to take on Lowell and his salary were he is just going to sit on the bench.LMAO!!!!The O's if they do this trade are pure idiots and should be the laughing stock of baseball.If the O's think that 1 pitcher is going to bring them over the top against the Sox and Yankees there FO is seriously smokin some crack. 870747[/snapback] Spoken like a true sawcks fan...If you think Julio is the only decent reliever the Orioles have you havent been watching. Chris Ray will take his job , a rookie with trememndous upside and an ERA below 1. The problems in the bullpen have been Steve Reed who was designated for assignment a week ago, Steve Kline who is probably in the trade, and BJ Ryan had a couple bad games recently. 870782[/snapback] Okay so you are ready and willing to throw a unproven relief pitcher in the middle of a pennant race in the same division as the Sox and Yankees and don't forget the Jays?The O's would be a heck of a team if they have the pitching to go along with there awesome offense.All three of the teams listed below have better pitching staffs then the O's do.Burnett isn't going to make a difference if your starters can't go 6-7 innings and only give up 3-4 runs.Even by some miracle if the O's do win the east or take the wild card there starters have absolutly no playoff expierience at all.As a Sox fan i saw last year how important starting pitching is in 5 OR 7 game series.1 guy is not going to do it it takes the whole staff from starter to closer and the O's do not have it period even with Burnett. 870821[/snapback] Again, have you been watching. The pitching has been good lately. The offense isnt producing and thats been losing us games. Tonight Chen got hit hard by a liner, maybe that was why he got rocked or maybe not. Ray might not take Julio's place , I'm not sure, Jason Grimsley may get that job actually. I'm not seeing how the Red Sox rotation or the Yankees are so good, really all 3 of the top teams in the division have very close roations in my opinion.

LMAO the O's trading away the only decent relief help they have for a rent a player.If the O's are this desperate for Burnett and are willing to give up Kline and Julio or even one of them then make that trade and quick.Also to take on Lowell and his salary were he is just going to sit on the bench.LMAO!!!!The O's if they do this trade are pure idiots and should be the laughing stock of baseball.If the O's think that 1 pitcher is going to bring them over the top against the Sox and Yankees there FO is seriously smokin some crack. 870747[/snapback] Spoken like a true sawcks fan...If you think Julio is the only decent reliever the Orioles have you havent been watching. Chris Ray will take his job , a rookie with trememndous upside and an ERA below 1. The problems in the bullpen have been Steve Reed who was designated for assignment a week ago, Steve Kline who is probably in the trade, and BJ Ryan had a couple bad games recently.

I wish your team well. I'd love to see you beat the Yankees and win your division. In the meantime, could you tell us again how wonderful Bigbie is. That post was a classic. 870693[/snapback] I never said Bigbie was wonderful, maybe it was someone else. I said all along, before these trade talks and during that he is an average outfielder with the potential to be a good outfielder. I dont think that is really going out on a limb or anything.

The only thing heating up is Gammons A** from eating too many Boston baked beans. We're not making this trade. 870633[/snapback] Denial, haha, thats great. The Marlins are the one who said they expect the deal done tonight so if it doesnt happen it isnt because the Marlins are "too smart" to do this trade. 870640[/snapback] You've been saying that this is a done deal for the whole WEEK that you have become a member of this board. But hey I can't blame you. If I was an Oriole fan I'd be excited at the thought of getting AJ too. Sorry. Go feed Ponson a crabcake. He's hungry. 870670[/snapback] I was saying it was done the 1st 2 days , but after that I just kept letting you all know the Orioles are still in it, you all were saying it was dead. I was pretty doubtful from late Tuesday until tonight lol. I would go feed Ponson but he is in Tampa and he might take my arm off anyway.

Jorge Julio pitched 2 innings tonight and retired all 6 batters.

Kline is still good against lefties, it gives jack his lefty "specialist". He wasnt happy there with the O's and a return to the NL should help him out. Last year he was a very low and great Era. Perhaps he returns to form. 870639[/snapback] Still good against lefties? They are batting over .300 against Kline this year, righties are batting under .200, some lefty specialist.

The only thing heating up is Gammons A** from eating too many Boston baked beans. We're not making this trade. 870633[/snapback] Denial, haha, thats great. The Marlins are the one who said they expect the deal done tonight so if it doesnt happen it isnt because the Marlins are "too smart" to do this trade.

the question now is what the O's get from Texas and will that be heading down here...hmmm a bat like David Dellucci or Kevin Mench? 870517[/snapback] Hell no, not for Ponson. Rosenthal said a mid level prospect. 870518[/snapback] Why not? you send Bigbie and a prospect to get Dellucci 870543[/snapback] I would like that but I am fairly certain all the Orioles would get is a mid level prospect from Texas, and Bigbie would go to the Marlins, who I would think would then send him to the Pirates for Mark Redman.

the question now is what the O's get from Texas and will that be heading down here...hmmm a bat like David Dellucci or Kevin Mench? 870517[/snapback] Hell no, not for Ponson. Rosenthal said a mid level prospect.

But thats still alot of cash to hold onto if they take half, don't see how they'll gain the ability to take on a huge chunk of Lowell's contract. Maybe its me in denial that we actually do make this horrible one-sided trade. 870513[/snapback] I think they would only be taking on $5 million tops, considering what the Orioles and Rangers pickup and whatever salary Tampa dumps.

ESPN.com...... The Baltimore Orioles could have a new ace as soon as Friday night. ESPN's Peter Gammons reports that talks between the Marlins and Orioles for pitcher A.J. Burnett heated up Friday afternoon. According to a source, if the Orioles can move pitcher Sidney Ponson -- rumored to go through Texas, possibly to Tampa Bay -- Baltimore can use the money saved to make third baseman Mike Lowell's contract work. Lowell, who is batting a disappointing .230 with just four homers and 39 RBI, is owed about $21 million through 2007. The Marlins think a trade could happen Friday night, although it's not clear whether or not the Orioles will ask for a window to try to sign Burnett. The 28-year-old Burnett, who can become a free agent after the season, is 6-6 with a 3.68 ERA. 870494[/snapback] TAMPA BAY!!! Since when could they afford to take on Mr. Crappy and his 10 million dollar price tag. This is way to hard to believe, Texas can do a hell of alot better then Ponson. They have the resources to go after a guy like Odalis Perez, Mark Redman or come straight at us for Burnett if they wanted. I find it way to hard that Texas is THAT desperate. And forget Tampa Bay thats quite literally impossible. 870507[/snapback] Baltimore and/or Texas would be eating at least half of his salary probably more than that.

Weak. I can't believe our FO is actually going for this stuff. Ponson? Please. 870492[/snapback] Ponson is going to Texas and maybe then to Tampa.

Homerun Admin Bigbie

The Rangers want him and are desperate with Kenny Rogers suspension coming.

A similar deal is already dead so why talk about it? 870076[/snapback] maybe this would get one of the teams to budge 870089[/snapback] This is a worse deal for the Red Sox and they didnt want to do the real trade.

A similar deal is already dead so why talk about it?

This would hurt the Red Sox and White Sox chances.

The newspaper I read said that deal was dead yesterday evening. The Marlins dont like Mays and the Red Sox arent sure about Lowell.