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After doing some reasearch I have narrowed down the PTBNL as either being Alay Soler or Evan MacLane. Im about 60% sure its gonn be Evan Maclane cause like Alay Soler he is not on the 40 man roster but unlike Soler he has pitched in the states and just pitched in the Arizona League. On the same team that had Andino, Wilson, etc which means he wa propably well scouted. I see a pattern here. Travis Bowyer pitched in that same team as Andino and Wilson and Jesus Delgado pitched in another. All came in trades here. MacLane by the way has the best change-up in the Mets system rated by Baseball America. More Info: The New York Mets drafted Evan MacLane out of Feather River Community College in the 25th round of the 2004 draft. MacLane has shown pinpoint control in his two minor league seasons for the Mets. Ranking #40 among the Mets' Top 50 prospects, here's a scouting report on MacLane. Vital Statistics: Name: Evan MacLane Position: Starting Pitcher DOB: November 4, 1982 Height: 6?2? Weight: 170 Bats: Left Throws: Left Growing up MacLane was quite the athlete, playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was very good at soccer and had an opportunity to even play for an Olympic development team but decided to focus primarily on baseball in his junior year of high school. He felt he could have a very good career playing baseball, and he was correct. Left-handed pitcher Evan MacLane tallied a 25-6 career mark in two seasons for Feather River Community College, including a 12-3 record with a 2.49 ERA in 17 starts his last season of school, and was named Co-Pitcher of the Year for California in the Juco ranks before being drafted by the Mets. While in school, Evan was one of the hardest workers on the team. He was always in the weight room looking to improve his strength so he could add more velocity to his pitches. "I believe Evan has incredible make-up and knows how to pitch. It seems most kids throw hard, and learn to pitch in minor league baseball. Evan is the opposite. He is learning to throw hard, but is polished in terms of pitch location, selection and shutting down the running game. I think he will continue to mature physically and will need to continue to work hard in strength conditioning. He has shown great improvements in the last two years, and will need to continue to make gains to achieve his MLB goals,", Feather River CC Head Coach Jedd Soto told NYfansonly.com in June of 2003. Perhaps the most telling sign about MacLane's make up was how he deals with success. While some players look to continue having success, MacLane is always looking to improve. Coach Soto was also impressed with MacLane's desire to get better. "I have not seen a sophomore, who was 13-2 as a freshman, work as hard as Maclane did this season to improve his game. I was impressed with Evan taking the time as a sophomore to really focus on his mechanics, which helped him gain some velocity and allow him to get better bite on his curve ball." Upon signing with the Mets in June of 2003, MacLane was sent to Kingsport where he displayed his amazing control. He walked just 8 batters in 56+ innings for the K-Mets and right away the Mets realized he was too polished for the lower levels. New York challenged MacLane in 2004, sending him right to Capital City where he and Yusmeiro Petit formed a deadly, lefty-righty combination for the Bombers' rotation. Despite having great success in low-A ball, MacLane's career path had been pre-ordained for him in Spring Training. He was sent to Brooklyn once the short season leagues began so he could anchor the Cyclones' rotation. MacLane once again impressed coaches and scouts alike for his great command and was easily the leader on the staff. Former Cylcones' teammate Michael Devaney was most impressed with Devaney. "He's a pitcher that does not show his fastball very much but still manages to make the batters look pretty bad. He's the perfect example of showing you that you have to pitch, not throw", says Devaney. So who does MacLane thinks he resembles at the Major League level? "Tom Glavine, just ?cause I?ve always looked up to him growing up as a kid. And I?ve always wanted to be like him and everything. He?s had a tremendous career and I think that if I keep working hard, I bet you I can do the same thing", MacLane told NYfansonly.com earlier in the year when he was pitching for Capital City. MacLane also watches Barry Zito and Mark Mulder of the A's very closely, trying to learn some things from the pair of successful left-handers. Said Coach Soto: "Evan told me, as a freshman, he would improve all his pitches, be an All American, Pitcher of the Year, Most Valuable Player, get drafted and play in the Major Leagues. So far, he has been right on all his predictions. I have confidence he will fulfill the last goal." Repertoire. Fastball, Curveball, Slider, Changeup. Fastball. MacLane throws a variety of fastballs, all at different speeds. He's added 4 MPH on his fastball. In college, he was averaging between 82-85 MPH with his fastball, and now he can bring it 87-89 MPH consistently. With the added speed, he's able to get hitters out with his fastball rather than just show it to them. He throws a two-seam fastball, a four-seamer, and a cut-fastball that he throws to right-handed batters in the 81-82 MPH range. He gets on top of his fastball really well and is able to throw it downhill. Other Pitches. MacLane's favorite pitch is his changeup and it serves as his out pitch. His changeup, which averages 76-80 MPH, is devastating to right-handed pitchers, a big reason he's had such good success in the professional ranks. He has worked very hard on improving his 12-6 curveball and it has gotten so good it also serves as an out pitch for him. He's been able to throw his curveball harder as a professional, now hitting between 74-76 with his curve. He's also able to throw a knuckle curveball at times. MacLane worked on a slider this past season and it appears to be working well for him as it helps keep left-handed batters off balance and keeps them from seeing his curveball really well. His slider averages 78-82 MPH. Pitching. MacLane has always had impeccable control of his pitches. His walk ratios are off the charts and he's able to have success by not allowing the free pass. His improved velocity with his fastball has made his already fantastic breaking pitches that much better. His mechanics are the best they've ever been and he's gotten stronger in his short stint in the Mets minor league system. He has a plan on the mound and is a tireless worker on the mound and in the gym. All of his pitches are very effective in almost any situation. Like his college coach said, MacLane's success is going to be dictated by getting stronger as he is already as polished a pitcher as there is the professional ranks. Projection. MacLane does not possess the overpowering fastball needed to be a frontline starting pitcher. However, with his control and knowledge on how to pitch, he has a very good chance of reaching the Majors as a back-end starter in the Mets' rotation someday. He's going to have to show the same success at the higher levels but his command is far advanced when compared to the other pitchers at the higher levels. ETA. 2007. MacLane was sent to Brooklyn this past season to help bolster to rotation and make the Cyclones a winner. He was having great success for the Bombers in the South Atlantic League prior to his "demotion" to the NY-Penn League. He's as polished as they come and needs to be challenged. MacLane should be in St. Lucie in 2005 and then be back on track to reach the Majors by 2007 when he'll still only be 25 years old. Career Stats http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/evan-maclane.shtml And if it happens to be Soler. 6. ALAY SOLER, rhp Age: 25 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-3 Wt: 230 Signed: Cuba, 2004 Signed by: Rafael Bournigal Background: Soler helped Cuba win the 2002 World University Games, where he didn?t allow a run in two starts, and led the island?s major league with a 2.01 ERA in 2003. He defected by boat in November 2003, received asylum in the Dominican Republic and signed a three-year big league contract worth $2.8 million last August. Strengths: Soler throws a 91-93 mph fastball that can touch 95. It features good armside run when he keeps it down in the zone. His 80-82 mph slider has tight spin with good depth, and his changeup is an average pitch that he can throw for strikes. He has a strong frame and a clean delivery, Weaknesses: One scout who saw Soler in the Dominican League said he struggled with his fastball command and his mechanics when he hit 94-95 mph. He sometimes fails to get on top of the ball from his three-quarters delivery. He has a lot of history to overcome, as most Cuban defectors have failed to live up to their hype. The Future: Several Cubans were sent straight to the majors, but the Mets will take a more pragmatic approach. Soler will start at high Class A or Double-A. 2004 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Did Not Play?Signed 2005 Contract 10. ALAY SOLER , rhp Age: 26 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt.: 240 Signed: Cuba, 2004 Signed by: Rafael Bournigal Background: The biggest mystery in the system, Soler has yet to pitch in pro ball after signing a three-year, $2.8 million contract in September 2004. A Cuban defector who received asylum from the Dominican Republic, he did not get his visa until late October, and spent 2005 at the Mets? Dominican academy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strengths: Soler has two plus pitches, a 91-94 mph fastball and a low-80s slider with exceptional depth. The Mets think his big-game experience in Cuba?he helped them win the 2002 World University Games?will serve him well under the bright lights of New York. Weaknesses: Using a three-quarters delivery, Soler sometimes gets under his pitches and leaves them high in the strike zone. The harder he throws, the more he struggles with his fastball command. Many Cuban defectors have needed time to adjust to a new culture and lifestyle in the United States. The Future: Soler is already 26 and likely will start his pro career in Double-A once he reaches the United States. He has enough stuff to start but also projects as a possible closer, a role for which the Mets have no obvious long-term candidate. 2005 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Did Not Pitch?Visa Problems

Gaby Hernandez was ranked as the 18 best prospect in the Sally League by Baseball America and this is what they wrote about him. 18. GABY HERNANDEZ, rhp, Hagerstown Suns (Mets) Age: 19 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 215 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Mets '04 (3) In one of the league's most anticipated matchups of the season, Hernandez beat Patton in a one-game playoff for the Northern Division's first-half title. Hernandez was Hagerstown's ace before moving up to high Class A, where he went just 2-5, 5.74 in 10 starts. His best attribute his knack for pitching, as he pounds the strike zone with an average fastball, setting up a curveball that's his out pitch. While he has a feel for the breaking ball, Hernandez will need to be more consistent and throw it with more power at higher levels. G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 18 18 6 1 0 2.43 92.2 59 29 25 4 30 99 .179

Paul Lo Duca - C - Marlins Paul Lo Duca has been traded to the Mets for right-hander Gaby Hernandez and a second minor league pitcher, the New York Daily News reports. Lastings Milledge wasn't an option, so the Marlins are doing pretty well to get Hernandez here. They must not have been too interested in either Anderson Hernandez or Jeff Keppinger as a potential second baseman. Since Lo Duca will earn $12.5 million over the next two years, he didn't have a lot of trade value. We wouldn't be completely stunned if this leads to Lo Duca going to the Diamondbacks in a Javier Vazquez deal, but it's more likely that Lo Duca will be the Mets' regular catcher. Im saying this again I really like this trade. Im curious to see who the PTBNL is? Is it someone who might get selected in the rule 5 Draft? Or is it someone like Aley Solar/Brain Bainister ? But that is probably doubtful since they are already on the 40 man roster. Great Trade

That is the first trade I that is actually accepted. Admin actually got something decent in return for LoDuca if its true that the trade is Gaby Hernandez and another minor League pitcher for Paul Loduca. You guys have to understand that Hernandez was the next best prospect in the Mets System after Milledge. Im actually happy here after this one Great Trade Beinfest

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/sports/b...all/04mets.html "The official said he did not know whom the Marlins would receive, but at this point they may not be picky. In cutting payroll, they are searching for young, cheap talent, along the lines of the two midlevel prospects they acquired from Minnesota on Friday in exchange for second baseman Luis Castillo" Something to worry about. :confused

From Rotoworld: Paul Lo Duca - C - Marlins The Mets are involved in "very serious" discussions with the Marlins about acquiring Paul Lo Duca, a source told the New York Times. This after the Diamondbacks and Marlins were said to be close to a deal yesterday. We're guessing the Marlins would want a pitcher from the group of Aaron Heilman, Jae Seo and Brian Bannister along with either Anderson Hernandez or Jeff Keppinger in exchange for Lo Duca. Heilman is probably unavailable, but Seo could be in play. Dec. 3 - 11:15 pm et Source: New York Times If we got two of any of those players mentioned, I'd be happy. Well, not happy because I think we need Lo Duca, but if we got any of those two prospects at least it's better than what Arizona offered... especially Anderson Hernandez. What exactly did Arizona offer? I want link or source. And by the way those prospects think. The best one from the group is Anderson Hernandez and thats because he has a good glove. Since Milledge is unrealistic cause he is there top prospect and frankly one of the best in all of baseball, the only guy they have left that will make a LoDuca trade at least worth it is Gaby Hernandez who projects as a #3. They have no hitting prospects close to ready who are good with starting potential and the one's with potential's are bats lke Jai Miller who are extremely raw.

Seriously I rather not deal Loduca to the Mets cause there farm system i really pathetic. Anderson > Keppinger, but still to be projects to be a Utility Infielder. So basically he is the Mets Josh Wilson. Why do we want another Utility Infielder? Aaron Heilman was lights out after his move to the bullpen where I think he belongs but with the way this off-season is going no way he comes here. As for Seo and Bannister. Seo is a soft tossers who doesn't pitch well out of Shea, is overrated, and project to be a #4-5 same for Bannister but he tops out at 90 mph with a cut fastball and decent curve. If this wasn't a fire sale we should get Gaby Hernandez and Aaron Heilman from the Mets. But since it is a fire sale look for Anderson Hernandez(who is still better than Keppinger) and Brain Bannister

Does this sound about right? Scott Olsen Projects as a 1 Yusmeiro Petit Projects as a 2-3 Jason Vargas Projects as a 2-3 Josh Johnson Projects as a 1-2 Volstad Projects as a 2 Tankersley Projects as a 3/setup Thompson Projects as a 1-2 Marceaux Projects as a 2-3 Bowyer Projects as a closer Chris Resop Projects as a closer Jeff Allison Projects as a 1-2 Tucker Projects as a 2-3 West Projects as a 2-3 Anibal Sanchez Projects as 1-2 Logan Kensing Projects as a 3/setup Chris Mobley Projects as a closer Jose Garcia Projects as a 3-4 Harvey Garcia Projects as a MR Jesus Delgado Projects as a MR/setup Carlos Martinez Projects as a 3-4 Adam Bostick Projects as a 2-3 Nic Ungs Projects as a 3 (had a no hitter last year and in US team) Lincoln Holdzkom Projects as a 3/MR Scott Tyler Projects as a 3-4 Randy Messenger Projects as MR/Setup I think you are overrating alot of guys. Here is my list with some names you forgot to add. Starters #1-2 Anibal Sanchez Jeff Allison Scott Olsen Middle of Rotation but with Potential of being #1-2 Josh Johnson Jason Vargas Aaron Thompson Chris Voldstad Sean West Kyle Winters Renyel Pinto Middle of Rotation #3 Yusmeiro Petit Gaby Hernandez Ricky Nolasco Back of Rotation #4-5 Paul Mildren Rick Vanden Hurk Closer Chris Resop Travis Bowyer Lincoln Holdzkom Ryan Tucker Jacob Marceaux Set-Up Man Ronald Belizario Scott Tyler Jesus Delgado Jose Garcia Scott Nestor 7th Inning Randy Messenger Carlos Martinez Harvey Garcia Chris Mobley Swing Man - Long Relief - Left Specialist Taylor Tankersley Logan Kensing Kurt Koehler Rafael Galbizo Adam Bostick Daniel Barone

This should be Beinfest's offer... Pierre Villone Minor League pitching prospect (olsen, johnson, whatever) 4 Cano Proctor I'd be fine with Pierre, Villone, and a top 10 pitching prospect (not Olsen, though) for Cano by himself. Thats crazy. No way in hell this is gonna happen. You guys are really overrating Cano seriously.

Well, personally, I don't think they're going to do it. Same here

I want Carlos Quentin but since that is kinda unrealistic especially with what we got in return for Castillo and the fact that it is known we will not pay in portion of any contract we deal. With that being said im hoping for Brain Bruney and Dustin Nippert but probably still unlikely. The Dbacks really don't have any real good hitting prospects others than Carlos Gonzales, Carlos Questin, Conor Jackson, Miguel Montero. Yes they have Drew and Upton but why even mention them. I bet we would trade LoDuca for a couple of pitchers That probably the best ting we can get from the Dbacks. Names to look out for are: Greg Aquino, Brain Bruney, Jason Bulger, Dustin Nippert, Casey Daigle, Sergio Santos, Chris Synder, Alex Cintron.

Post Predictions here. Who's Next? Villone to/for whom? Loduca to/for whom? Pierre to/for whom? Here are mines..... Who's Next? Pierre Villone to/for whom? To Yanks for PTBNL Loduca to/for whom? To D'Backs for Chris Snyder and Brain Bruney Pierre to/for whom? To Yanks for Sean Henn and Scott Proctor

This is what I Think. Luis Castillo - 2B - Twins The Marlins have reportedly traded Luis Castillo to the Twins for pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler. The Twins will pick up the $5 million owed to him in 2006 and either $5.75 million in 2007 or a $500,000 buyout. If the Marlins really had four teams interested, it's disappointing they couldn't do better than this. Bowyer is quite a relief prospect, but he's still a relief prospect. Tyler wasn't one of the Twins' top young arms. Dec Im very dissapointed in that second prospect we got. I have no doubt in my mind that this was more of a salary dump than anything.

There is absolutely no reason for the FO to move quickly to trade Castillo. There are plenty more teams needing a quality 2nd baseman than what's available on the FA market. Personally, I would like to see us keep him...at least until the trading deadline next year. But if the FO can get real value for him then I will understand. I see no reason at all to give him away. The same argument applies to Pierre and LoDuca. If the Twins are offering Durbin, Bowyer, and Bonser or 2 of the 3 then we aren't getting ripped off or anything. Now if its Romero or Lohse and a mid level prospect then we are getting screwed.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/5758905.html Twins: Deal for Marlins' Castillo in the works The Twins are trying to trade for Luis Castillo and also have an interest in Chicago's Frank Thomas. La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune Last update: December 1, 2005 at 9:19 PM Printer friendly E-mail this story Twins Twins: Deal for Marlins' Castillo in the works Cuddyer will play new position in 2006 The Twins are pursuing a deal for Florida Marlins second baseman Luis Castillo, according to a source familiar with negotiations. Castillo, 30, would upgrade the Twins' offense and defense. He batted .301 last season with four homers and 30 RBI, but his .391 on base percentage would help a lineup that is not strong in that area. Castillo walked 65 times in 439 at-bats last season and struck out only 32 times. He has a career on-base percentage of .370. He stole 193 bases from 1999-2000 but had only 21, 21 and 10 the past three seasons as he's battled leg problems. Castillo also is a two-time Gold Glove winner, which helps a team that saw its defense slip last season. According to the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Sun Sentinel, the Twins are one of four teams in the hunt for Castillo. The others are believed to be the Cardinals, Mets and Red Sox. Indications are the Marlins want to dump Castillo's $5 million salary for next season and are looking at minor leaguers or inexpensive major leaguers. Pitchers such as Boof Bonser, Travis Bowyer or J.D. Durbin could be part of the deal. The Twins are unwilling to trade top pitching prospects Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano. Castillo enters the final year of a three-year, $16 million deal but a $5.75 million option for 2007 kicks in if he gets 501 plate appearances next season. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan was unavailable for comment on Thursday. The Twins also are seriously considering a push for two-time A.L. MVP Frank Thomas, whose days with the White Sox appear to be over. A Twins official said the club has done a lot of research on Thomas in recent weeks, which comes after the club had no interest in him. Thomas, who is 52 homers shy of 500 for his career, is the most recognizable name and could have the biggest impact in the Twins' lineup. Thomas' career with the White Sox appears all but over after the club re-signed first baseman Paul Konerko and traded for Jim Thome to be the designated hitter. In fact, White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams told Chicago media on Wednesday he wanted to speak directly to Thomas before revealing anything about his future with the club. Thomas, 37, has battled a surgically repaired left ankle over the past couple of years. He batted .219 in 34 games last season, with 12 homers and 26 RBI in 105 at-bats. He played in only 74 games in 2004, batting .271 with 18 homers and 49 RBI. He has 30 homers and 80 walks over his past 345 at-bats. The Twins also have had discussions with Texas about third baseman Hank Blalock, but talks have bogged down because the Rangers are asking for Liriano as part of the package. The Twins remain interested in free agents Mike Piazza as a designated hitter and Nomar Garciaparra as a third baseman. I was right all along. The names I mentioned Durbin, Bowyer, and Bonser

This is the top 10 prospects of the Twins? 1. Joe Mauer, c 2. Jason Kubel, of 3. Jesse Crain, rhp 4. J.D. Durbin, rhp 5. Francisco Liriano, lhp 6. Kyle Waldrop, rhp 7. Anthony Swarzak, rhp 8. Matt Moses, 3b 9. Jason Bartlett, ss 10. Scott Baker, rhp This was their 2005 top 10 prospect list. To Florida: SP Anthony Swarzak SP Boof Bonser C Chris Heintz To Minnesota: 2B Luis Castillo RP Ron Villone That is the trade proposal from that thread. It is interesting at least. I dont want anybody named Boof on our team :whistle Come on Holly imagine him on the Boog Show. This is Boog Shamby here with Boof of the Florida Marlins. lol That better be a nickname.. If its his real name I feel bad for him BEST TOOLS Best Hitter for Average Joe Mauer Best Power Hitter Michael Restovich Best Strike-Zone Discipline Jason Kubel Fastest Baserunner Denard Span Best Athlete Denard Span Best Fastball J.D. Durbin Best Curveball J.D. Durbin Best Slider Jesse Crain Best Changeup Julio DePaula Best Control Kyle Waldrop Best Defensive Catcher Joe Mauer Best Defensive Infielder Trevor Plouffe Best Infield Arm Omar Burgos Best Defensive Outfielder Denard Span Best Outfield Arm Jason Kubel

1. Joe Mauer, c 2. Jason Kubel, of 3. Jesse Crain, rhp 4. J.D. Durbin, rhp 5. Francisco Liriano, lhp 6. Kyle Waldrop, rhp 7. Anthony Swarzak, rhp 8. Matt Moses, 3b 9. Jason Bartlett, ss their before last year top 10 prospects. I love Liriano but Know that is a long shot BEST TOOLS Best Hitter for Average Joe Mauer Best Power Hitter Michael Restovich Best Strike-Zone Discipline Jason Kubel Fastest Baserunner Denard Span Best Athlete Denard Span Best Fastball J.D. Durbin Best Curveball J.D. Durbin Best Slider Jesse Crain Best Changeup Julio DePaula Best Control Kyle Waldrop Best Defensive Catcher Joe Mauer Best Defensive Infielder Trevor Plouffe Best Infield Arm Omar Burgos Best Defensive Outfielder Denard Span Best Outfield Arm Jason Kubel

There is no way the Twins part with Crain. No way. But thats okay cause there farm system is very deep. Something realsitic for Castillo is Boof Bonser or J.D Durbin and Travis Bowyer who are all ready to pitch in the big League's and have upside. good info, thanks... how do you know so much about the Twins? I have been a member of Baseball America for the past 3 years and I know alot about each team minor league system + im always up to date on up and coming players. Durbin has top of rotation stuff and a ++arm. He has reach triple digits before and when Dontrelle Willis tore up the Midwest League in 2002 Durbin was ranked ahead of him by the managers which tells you how good his stuff is and can possibily be. Bonser was part of the famous and most lob sided trade in the history of baseball. Joe Nathan, Boof Bonser, and as a throw in Fransico Liriano. Anyways Bonser has a bad body by that I mean overweight he's around 260-270 so scouts question his work ethic but he's stuff is good. He has a hammer curve and a low to mid 90 fastball. Bowyer was ready to pitch last year for the Twins but never got the call. He pitches in the upper 90's and has reach 3 digits before. Scouts say he has a very heavy sinker which reportly hits 99 which is crazy. Twins sent him to the Arizona fall laegue where he had bad numbers but the reason for that was he used the league as a way to improve his change-up. All 3 prospect have control problem at times, (can be wild and walk mant batters) but really having nothing else to prove in the minor's and are just about ready to pitch in the Show. If I had my choice I pick Durbin over Bonser and Bowyer has closer potential and ability to dominate.

To Florida: SP Anthony Swarzak SP Boof Bonser C Chris Heintz To Minnesota: 2B Luis Castillo RP Ron Villone That is the trade proposal from that thread. It is interesting at least. What I found interesting is I thought it was a unfair trade for the Twins but a Twin's fan made it up and most of the people on the board agree with him. Now can this trade possibily happen just like this?

Just to throw out a name, Michael Cuddyer plays second base and had an OBP of .330 with 12 HRs in 122 games. He's going into his fifth year, so he's arbitration-eligible. He made $347,500 last year. Also Jesse Crain had an ERA of 2.71 with a WHIP of 1.13 and a BAA of .219. He supposedly can reach 100mph... He's entering his second year. There is no way the Twins part with Crain. No way. But thats okay cause there farm system is very deep. Something realsitic for Castillo is Boof Bonser or J.D Durbin and Travis Bowyer who are all ready to pitch in the big League's and have upside.

Luis Castillo - 2B - Marlins The Marlins and Twins are involved in serious discussions regarding Luis Castillo, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. Castillo, who is owed $5 million in 2006 and either $5.75 million in 2007 or a $500,000 buyout, would be a nice fit between Shannon Stewart and Joe Mauer in the Minnesota lineup, assuming the team doesn't have to give up a lot to get him. J.C. Romero should be available in talks. Juan Rincon shouldn't be. Ron Villone - R - Marlins The Mariners are interested in reacquiring left-hander Ron Villone from the Marlins. Seattle gave up Villone for right-handers Yorman Bazardo and Mike Flannery at the trade deadline. They probably wouldn't part with Bazardo to bring him back, but they have other young arms to trade. Paul Lo Duca - C - Marlins The Rockies and Florida had brief talks about Paul Lo Duca, but the Marlins wanted both Marcos Carvajal and catching prospect Chris Iannetta. Florida also appeared unwilling to pay any of the $12.5 million Lo Duca is owed over the next two seasons. It was too high of a price for the Rockies. Dec. 1 - 1:42 pm et Source: Rocky Mountain News Also this is something I read a while ago on a ESPN message board which you all should find interesting. http://forums.espn.go.com/espn/thread?foru...PostID=16359386 Personally if what the Twins are offering is this good I have no problem trading Castillo. As for the Loduca and Villone news. Its clear that we got ripped off in the Villone trade but oh well nothing we can do now. Rotoworld mention that the Marlins asked for both Carvajal and Iannetta and don't want to pay any portion of Loduca contract. I really doubt we can get a better prospects for Loduca than Iannetta and Carvajal there 4 I would be willing to cover the 3-4 million of LoDuca contratct that teh Rockies want in exchange for in exchange for good players like these.

What do the rangers have that we would want? More pitching? What is wrong with pitching? The only hitting prospect they have that can make it worth trading Pierre is Jacquin Arias and him alone in a deal is not worth it. What the Marlins should do is ask for John Danks and keep on insisting. If not possible ask for Arias and Frank Francisco. If the Rangers don't like either package we look somewhere else. Simple as that. Gonzalez not needed here with Williangham, Jacobs here plus we already traded him before already. Laird overrated, not ready and at 26 years of age how big of a prospect is he? Kinsler is behind of Arias in the depth chart and had a so..so.. year. Nix and Mench have inflated due to to home ball park.

From baseball america Beckett blockbuster nets Marlins four prospects By Jim Callis November 24, 2005 Since Roger Clemens established himself in the mid-1980s, the Red Sox almost always have had one of the very best starters in the American League. First Clemens, then Pedro Martinez, then Martinez and Curt Schilling in 2004. But when Martinez left for the Mets and Schilling was hurt, the 2005 Red Sox lacked an ace and it showed. Boston took steps to remedy that shortcoming, completing a seven-player deal with Florida on Thanksgiving. The Red Sox got Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota in exchange for four prospects: shortstop Hanley Ramirez and righthanders Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia. The Marlins' motivation was financial. The Red Sox will assume the last two years and $18 million on Lowell's contract, and they also face arbitration with Beckett and Mota. They also shed salary in another big trade on Thursday, sending Carlos Delgado to the Mets. Beckett, a 25-year-old righthander, has yet to achieve the superstardom predicted for him but still has No. 1 starter stuff, not to mention the 2003 World Series MVP award. Beckett can reach the upper 90s with his four-seam fastball, get good sink on his two-seamer at 92-94 mph and make hitters look silly with his curveball. He also has a good changeup. He's coming off his best season yet in 2005, when he went 15-8, 3.38 in 29 starts, though he did make two trips to the disabled list, one with recurring blister problems on his right middle finger and another with a strained left oblique. In 180 innings, Beckett had a 166-58 K-BB ratio while limiting opponents to a .234 average and 14 homers. He has a career 41-34, 3.46 record in 106 games, and his ERA is significantly lower in Florida (3.14) than elsewhere (3.83). Lowell, 31, is coming off his worst season, having batted .236/.298/.360 with eight homers and 58 RBIs in 150 games. He hit .293/.365/.505 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs in 158 games in 2004, and there has been no explanation for his decline. He did win a Gold Glove at third base in 2005, where he has solid range, good hands and a strong arm. He's a career .272/.339/.461 hitter with 143 homers and 578 RBIs in 989 games. Mota, a 32-year-old righthander, could be a boost to a Boston bullpen that finished next-to-last in the majors with a 5.15 ERA. Mota was one of the game's top setup men in 2003-04, though he slipped this year when he was bothered by elbow inflammation that landed him on the disabled list in May. He went 2-2, 4.70 with two saves and 14 holds in 56 games. He had a 60-32 K-BB ratio in 67 innings, while opponents hit .254 with five homers against him. When he's right, Mota works primarily with a mid-90s fastball and a plus changeup. He also mixes in a slider. He has gone 22-24, 3.61 with seven saves and 81 holds in 386 career games. Ramirez, 21, is one of the game's top shortstop prospects but also something of an enigma. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2000, he never has has a breakout year to match his considerable tools. He batted .271/.335/.385 with six homers, 52 RBIs and 26 steals in 122 games this year at Double-A Portland. Ramirez has the bat speed, raw power and pitch recognition to hit .300 with 20-plus homers per season, but he has yet to show the focus and preparation to get him there. He has above-average speed and shortstop range, as well as a plus-plus arm. The Marlins don't have an obvious starter at shortstop, so Ramirez could get a long look in spring training. He struck out in his two big league at-bats in September. Sanchez, 21, established himself as one of Boston's best pitching prospects after recovering from surgery to move a nerve in his elbow in 2003. He went 9-6, 2.85 in 25 starts between high Class A Wilmington and Porltand in 2005. He had a 158-40 K-BB ratio in 136 innings, and held opponents to a .212 average and 12 homers. Sanchez has a 93-95 mph fastball, yet his changeup might be his best pitch. He's still refining his curveball, though he flashes a solid-average breaker at times. Delgado, 21, has bounced back strong since missing the 2002 and 2003 seasons following Tommy John surgery. Signed as an outfielder out of Venezuela in 2001, he has a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 98 mph, and his changeup currently is a better pitch than this curveball. He went 7-3, 3.50 with two saves in 33 relief appearances at low Class A Greenville this year. He had a 69-39 K-BB ratio in 72 innings, and opponents batted .215 with three homers against him. Florida originally signed the 21-year-old Garcia out of Venezuela in 2001. They released him in 2002, and he quickly hooked up with the Red Sox, whose international scouting director at the time was Louie Elajuathe Marlins' director of Latin American scouting when they signed him. Garcia's stuff is very similar to Delgado's. Garcia throws a little harder on a consistent basis, but his secondary pitches haven't made as much progress. He went 3-5, 2.01 with six saves in 32 relief outings at Greenville. In 45 innings, he had a 54-18 K-BB ratio, .275 opponent average and three homers allowed. Mets get Delgado a year after losing free-agent chase By Jim Callis November 24, 2005 The Mets lost out to the Marlins in the free-agent hunt for Carlos Delgado after the 2004 season, but they finally got their man on Thanksgiving. New York acquired Delgado from Florida in exchange for three prospects: righthander Yusmeiro Petit, first baseman/catcher Mike Jacobs and third baseman Grant Psomas. The Marlins also sent $7 million to the Mets toward the three years and $48 million remaining on Delgado's contract. Florida finalized a second major trade on Thursday, sending Josh Beckett to Boston in a seven-player deal. Delgado, 33, reached 30 homers for the ninth consecutive season in 2005, hitting .301/.399/.582 with 33 homers and 115 RBIs in 144 games in his first year in the National League. He remains as dangerous as ever, an all-around hitter who produces for power and average and also draws lots of walks. He's not much of a baserunner or defender at first base. He's a career .284/.393/.559 hitter with 369 homers and 1,173 RBIs in 1,567 games. Petit, a 21-year-old righthander, was the best pitching prospect in the Mets system and will compete for a job in a decimated Marlins rotation. Signed out of Venezuela in 2001, he has gone 28-20, 2.71 with 491 strikeouts in 402 innings. He's not as overpowering as those numbers would suggest, however. Petit's command and deception, more than sheer stuff, give batters fits. He has good life on an 88-90 mph fastball and also throws a changeup, slider and curveball. He went 9-6, 3.60 in 24 starts this year, including an 0-3, 9.20 performance following a late-season promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. In 133 combined innings, he had a 144-24 K-BB ratio and allowed a .230 average and 20 homers. Jacobs, 25, attracted attention by batting .310/.375/.710 with 11 homers and 23 RBIs in 30 games after getting his first big league callup in August. He'll factor in the competition to replace Delgado in the Florida lineup, with fellow prospect Josh Willingham looming as his biggest competition. A 38th-round pick out of Grossmont (Calif.) JC in 1999, Jacobs batted .321/.376/.589 with 25 homers and 93 RBIs in 117 games to win the Double-A Eastern League MVP award before his promotion. He's a lefthanded pull hitter with power, though it remains to be seen if big league pitchers will exploit his lack of plate discipline. Jacobs signed as a catcher, but he's a below-average defender who won't see much time there in the majors. Tearing the labrum in his throwing shoulder in 2004 didn't help his arm strength. Psomas, 23, exploded in his first full season after signing as a 15th-round pick from West Virginia in 2004. He batted .301/.399/.517 wtih 20 homers and 69 RBIs in 133 games between low Class A Hagerstown and high Class A St. Lucie. A gap hitter with some pull power, he understands the strike zone but is still working on pitch recognition. He's an average defender with some arm strength.

Josh Beckett - S - Red Sox Red Sox acquired RHP Josh Beckett, 3B Mike Lowell and RHP Guillermo Mota from the Marlins for SS Hanley Ramirez, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Jesus Delgado and RHP Harvey Garcia. Beckett has never throws 180 innings in a year, his blister troubles remain unsolved and there has to be some wear and tear that caused his shoulder soreness at the end of the season. Still, looking at what the Mets paid for Carlos Delgado and the White Sox are paying for Jim Thome, the price doesn't seem so high after all. Don't pay too much attention to his mediocre road numbers as a Marlin; Beckett should finish in the top 10 in the AL in ERA if he stays relatively healthy and he'll probably win half his starts. He just can't be projected to throw more than 180 innings. As a result, it wouldn't be smart to go beyond $25-$26 to get him in AL-only leagues. Nov. 24 - 11:48 pm et Mike Lowell - 3B - Red Sox Third baseman Mike Lowell was traded from the Marlins to the Red Sox in a seven-player deal. Now it just remains to be seen whether they'll keep him. It's possible that both Lowell and Guillermo Mota could be moved in separate deals. On one hand, Lowell's stroke makes him well suited for Fenway Park, something that should lead to decent numbers even if he's still not the player he was in 2003 and the first half of 2004. However, the Red Sox have Kevin Youkilis ready and deserving of the starting job. They could play Youkilis at first base, but his bat probably wouldn't make him much of an asset there. Nov. 24 - 11:40 pm et Hanley Ramirez - SS - Marlins Marlins acquired SS Hanley Ramirez, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Jesus Delgado and RHP Harvey Garcia from the Red Sox for RHP Josh Beckett, 3B Mike Lowell and RHP Guillermo Mota. Ramirez would benefit from a year in Triple-A after hitting .271/.335/.385 with 26 steals in 39 attempts for Double-A Portland last season, but he becomes the heavy favorite to start at shortstop for the Marlins. He'll be decent defensively and get better as time goes on. Offense figures to be a problem, though he'll probably still enough bases to have some value in NL-only leagues. While he has All-Star potential, he may not be an above average regular until 2008 or even 2009. Nov. 24 - 11:36 pm et Anibal Sanchez - S - Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez was traded from the Red Sox to the Marlins in a seven-player deal. Sanchez may have been Boston's No. 3 pitching prospect, but he still ranks among the top 20 in baseball. He throws in the mid-90s and has a plus curve and a developing change. He's something of an injury risk and he could probably use another full season in the minors, but there's a lot to like here. Nov. 24 - 11:32 pm et Jesus Delgado - R - Marlins Right-handed relievers Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia were sent from Boston to Florida in the Josh Beckett deal. The Red Sox liked both young relievers enough to put them on the 40-man roster last week, even though neither has made it to Double-A yet. Delgado, 21, reaches the mid-90s with his hard sinker, making him a potential setup man. He might debut in the second half of next season. Garcia, also 21, had a 2.01 ERA and a 54/18 K/BB ratio for low Single-A Greenville last season. He's not the prospect that Delgado is, but he has a chance. Nov. 24 - 11:28 pm et Guillermo Mota - R - Red Sox Right-hander Guillermo Mota was added to a finalized Josh Beckett trade tonight, going from Florida to Boston. The Red Sox also included a fourth prospect, right-handed reliever Harvey Garcia. The deal looks better for Boston now. Mota is likely to command $3 million or more in arbitration, so he's not cheap. However, there's no commitment beyond 2006 and he'll probably be a nice setup man if healthy. The Red Sox could try using him in the sixth and seventh innings in front of Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke.

Why are the Marlins looking outside the organization for a catcher?? Toby Hall is already 30 and shouldn't even be considered as the backstop of the future... Does the organization not think that Willingham can provide at cacther now and down the line? I agree 100%. Toby Hall is almost 30 and still hasn't figured it out yet. I will never trade Josh Williangham for him.