dak11

Prior is as untouchable as anyone in the ML's. You'd have a better chance dealing for Kerry Wood then Prior - though I doubt the Cubs are in any rush to move either of them.

Klesko's also quoted as saying he'll rescind his no trade clause if the Padres try to move him off of 1B - so I doubt he'll be willing to go somewhere else and play LF. He also has a no trade clause so he can decide which teams he'll go to. Doubtful that a veteran like Klesko would go to a team who are constantly trading off good players because of salary budgets.

"Castillo for LHP Scott Kazmir and C Justin Huber or 2B Danny Garcia" - That trade would never happen in a million years. Castillo's a pending FA while Kazmir is the top lefty in the minors and Huber is one of the top catching prospects. You guys are dreaming if you think you'll get those type of prospects for Castillo. Garcia would have been a possibility IF Castillo wasn't a FA. The Mets aren't going anywhere this year so they have no need to deal any prospects for pending FA's.

Fish Fillet - I'm with you. At best the Marlins can keep Lowell for 1 more season through arbitration. If/When he becomes a FA he's as good as gone.

"Dak, there is no "open market" for Mike Lowell and there won't be for this season and next. " - Marlins2003 - Open market was a poor choice of words. I should have said that he'll get 'market value' for his production. If 30 HR 90 RBI type 3B's are getting 8-10 mil a season theh his salary will be in line with that. If Lowell is open to resigning at 6-6.5 then he would have given the team a big discount IMO - especially after the season he's currently having.

Wildcard - arbitration has nothing to do with the Marlins financial situation. It's based soley on how an independent person (ie arbitrator) views Lowells stats vs. other players. It's not based only on 1 season but his last few seasons. Lowell has been a 20 HR 90 RBI type of 3B over the last 3 season (on average). There are not many 3B's that do that. Small list of 3B's and their salaries. Glaus - 9 mil in 2004 Rolen - 11 mil average over contract Chavez - 5.2 (last year of a below market contract) Ventura - 5 mil Tony Batista - 6 mil David Bell - 4.5 Alfonzo - 5.5 in 2004 I think your underestimating Lowell's value on the open market.

What are you resting your case on? The fact that Lowell will command more then 5.5-6.5 mil in arbitration or that Floyd was a reasonable sign @ 6.5?

What I mean about it being too early is that there's still plenty of time for either of these pitchers to fall out of the running or a minor leaguer to emerge on another team. 50 innings is only about 1/3rd of the season for these guys.

"He makes $3.4 million this year. He'll probably make $5.5-6.5 million next year. Less than Cliff. I rest my case. " - There's no way that Lowell will make only 5.5-6.5 mil next year. With the season he's having it will be at least 7+ mil in arbitration and even more if he's signed long term. That's the reason for all the trade talk with the Cubs. I actually think Floyd is reasonable @ 6.5 mil a season given his production the last few seasons. .280 BA, .370 OB%, 30 HR's, 90 RBI's is a relative bargain at 6.5 mil in this day of baseball contracts.

It's a little early to be talking ROY. Both pitchers have been good so far. Right now I'd give the nod to Willis because he has more electric suff. We'll have to wait and see if they can continue to pitch well and if they can make adjustments going forward.