futuremarlinsgm

In my opinion, the Florida Marlins have done an excellent job in addressing the bullpen so early in the offseason and maximizing the value of two players (Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin) who have disappointed thus far and didn't have a future with the team. With having acquired left-hander Dustin Richardson from the Red Sox for Miller yesterday and now right-handers Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb for Maybin today, the Marlins' bullpen has become much improved and could become a strong bullpen in the years to come given the youth. I really like both Mujica and Webb in the deal as Mujica boasted a 12.00 K to BB ratio last season and Webb surrendered only 1 HR in over 50 innings of work for the Padres. Also, adding a much needed left handed reliever like Richardson yesterday, who has pretty good stuff, will help.

This is from Fox Sports.com. Marlins going after Padres closer Bell — 11:21 p.m. At trading time, the Marlins often are full of surprises. They sent infielder Miguel Cabrera and left-hander Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers at the 2007 winter meetings. They tried to acquire Manny Ramirez at the non-waiver deadline a year ago. The Marlins are one of 10 to 15 teams pursuing Bell, according to major-league sources, and they're deep enough in prospects to pull off such a deal. However, the Padres want one of the Marlins' young starting pitchers, either left-hander Andrew Miller or Sean West, as the centerpiece of a multi-player package. To the Marlins, who traded first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Rangers for closer Ugueth Urbina in July 2003, that is too high a price. A closer was a glaring need for the '03 Marlins, who went on to win the World Series after adding Urbina. But this year's Marlins, who are only two games out in the National League wild-card race, also could improve by adding a starting pitcher or hitter. Try finding one, though, who is as affordable as Bell. The Marlins, who opened the season with a $36.8 million payroll, could easily absorb the remainder of Bell's $1.255 million salary, which amounts to about $400,000. Bell, who turns 32 on Sept. 29, will be under club control for two more seasons. The Marlins have been using Leo Nunez as their closer with Matt Lindstrom recovering from a right elbow strain. Lindstrom could return as soon as this weekend. He could return to a setup role if the Padres added Bell.

For those here that seriously believe that I made this up, here are some links for you to consider. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AnLP...o&type=lgns http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090117-18 (Read Sidebar on right side under Eastern Conference.) http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/858654.html http://www.examiner.com/x-1188-Miami-Heat-...cusp-of-a-trade http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11260 Guess I should place links to the sources next time I issue such a report.

BREAKING NEWS: Miami Heat May Acquire Jermaine O'Neal from Raptors According to sources with Yahoo Sports, Hoopsworld, and Real GM, the Miami Heat have been engaged in "substantive" talks with the Toronto Raptors that would involve C Jermaine O'Neal coming to the Miami Heat and F Shawn Marion going to the Toronto Raptors. According to all the reports, the Miami Heat would also send PG Marcus Banks to the Toronto Raptors to match the salaries. Based upon the sources, it seems that Pat Riley has been deadset on acquiring a true center and is not concerned with cap room going into this upcoming offseason, but wants cap room for the 2010 season. Also, Toronto Raptors GM and former Pheonix Sun GM Bryan Colangelo has been clamoring to re-acquire Shawn Marion and has been persistently shopping Jermaine O'Neal so that Andrea Bargnani can take over at center. Given the logic from the two general managers, this trade would make great sense for both teams and would help both teams. Sure many may make the argument that Jermaine O'Neal has been injury-prone, but if healthy, he can be the dominant force that could surge Miami well into the playoffs while giving the Heat massive cap room for the oft-mentioned 2010 offseason.

Now, we all know that the Miami Heat haven't come directly out and stated that Shawn Marion is either on or off the trading block, but it appears that the Heat have had multiple conversations with a few teams around the league regarding Marion. Throughout the week, Hoopsworld continued to maintain that they expect to see Shawn Marion shipped to Sacramento in a deal that would send a package to Miami that would include veteran C Brad Miller. According to several sources, the Kings have offered Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas to Miami for Shawn Marion. Miami has not yet given them a response back on that trade offer. Now comes a report from Yahoo Sports that details possible trade discussions ongoing between the Heat and the Cavaliers. Based upon his sources (none of mine have been able to confirm it), it appears that the Cavaliers are offering C/PF Anderson Varajeo and SF/SG Wally Szczerbiak to the Miami Heat for F Shawn Marion. Just speculating here, but the Heat may be looking for the Cavs to take PG Marcus Banks off their hands in order for the Heat to agree to such a trade. The reasoning for this trade offer is really hard to find for both sides, if you ask me. As more reports come out and more details on these trade talks become available, I will bring them to you. Gotta love tracking sports rumors and analyzing the validity of sources. Seems now that both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers have emphatically denied these reports and have not been in discussions regarding Shawn Marion. So, consider the Heat-Cavs rumor debunked now. Through Shawn Marion's agent, Marion believes that he's staying with the Heat through the season now. Only time will tell.

Really think that Chad Pennington deserves to go over Brett Favre. But, Brett Favre is probably going because they never know when it will be his last season and want to honor him with being selected to the Pro Bowl team.

This will allow the Braves to re-engage the Padres in trade talks for Jake Peavy. I really think that the Braves need Jake Peavy in their rotation. Will be very interested in seeing who starts the talks back up again.

Now, we all know that the Miami Heat haven't come directly out and stated that Shawn Marion is either on or off the trading block, but it appears that the Heat have had multiple conversations with a few teams around the league regarding Marion. Throughout the week, Hoopsworld continued to maintain that they expect to see Shawn Marion shipped to Sacramento in a deal that would send a package to Miami that would include veteran C Brad Miller. According to several sources, the Kings have offered Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas to Miami for Shawn Marion. Miami has not yet given them a response back on that trade offer. Now comes a report from Yahoo Sports that details possible trade discussions ongoing between the Heat and the Cavaliers. Based upon his sources (none of mine have been able to confirm it), it appears that the Cavaliers are offering C/PF Anderson Varajeo and SF/SG Wally Szczerbiak to the Miami Heat for F Shawn Marion. Just speculating here, but the Heat may be looking for the Cavs to take PG Marcus Banks off their hands in order for the Heat to agree to such a trade. The reasoning for this trade offer is really hard to find for both sides, if you ask me. As more reports come out and more details on these trade talks become available, I will bring them to you.

BREAKING NEWS: Suns Acquire Jason Richardson According to published reports, the Pheonix Suns have acquired Jason Richardson from the Charlotte Bobcats. In the deal, the Charlotte Bobcats acquire PF Boirs Diaw and defensive specialist Raja Bell along with G Sean Singletary. The Suns will also get F Jared Dudley and a future 2nd Round Draft Pick.

BREAKING NEWS: Three Team Trade Between Wizards, Grizzlies, and Hornets According to several reports, the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, and Washington Wizards completed a three team trade this morning. The Washington Wizards will acquire promising young PG Javaris Crittenton from the Grizzlies and G Mike James from the Hornets, the Memphis Grizzlies get their 2009 draft pick back that they traded to Washington for PG Juan Carlos Navarro, and the New Orleans Hornets acquire PG Antonio Daniels. In my mind, this is a great trade for all sides.

Can't believe that there have been 99 people to view my post but not even one response. Hope I didn't leave you all speechless. LOL

Over the past month, the Marlins have made three major moves that have remodeled this team. Many Marlins fans may be questioning this move with a few fans going as far as saying that this is the beginning of another "fire sale". Well, I couldn't disagree more. Before the offseason began, Admin Beinfest made it poinantly clear that the Marlins were changing their roster into a model of the team that won the World Series back in 2003 that was based upon three key elements: strong pitching, sound defense, and great speed. Well, Admin Beinfest thus far has been working towards those goals. As more moves occur with the Marlins, I will provide further analysis on them, but for now, here's my analysis on the three moves that have gone down thus far. Trade #1 The Florida Marlins trade 1B Mike Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for RP Leo Nunez. Before this offseason began, Admin Beinfest had made it quite clear that he wanted to return to the model that won them the World Series back in 2003: pitching, defense, speed. Over the past couple seasons, it became quite evident that Mike Jacobs was not going to fit that mold. So, with Gaby Sanchez waiting in the wings at first base, the Marlins placed him on the trading block. The Royals, desparate for power, jumped on Mike Jacobs, giving up a quality young bullpen arm in Leo Nunez. Many people throughout baseball may see his low strikeout ratio and think that he really isn't suited for the late innings. Well, even though he does have a low strikeout ratio, his WHIP is even lower than his strikeout ratio. Leo Nunez, only 25 years old, possesses a great slider and nice low-to-mid 90s fastball that he can control very well and move around the zone. Given more experience, I believe that he could become a terrific setup man. Trade #2 The Florida Marlins trade SP Scott Olsen and LF Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals for IF Emilio Bonaficio, minor league pitching prospect P.J. Dean, and minor league prospect Jake Smolinski. To be honest, been finding it quite difficult to try and understand this move by the Marlins as I believed the Marlins could have netted far more for both players. When the trade first went down, many Marlins fans were irrate, admittedly including myself. But, after sitting on this trade for a while and trying to logically reason out this trade, I think that only time will tell. The Nationals certainly have improved their ballclub through this trade as they acquire a young, durable left-handed starter to bolster their weak rotation and a terrific run producer and team leader in Willingham. Have to give Jim Bowden credit for pulling off a steal. But, the Marlins, trying to remodel their team back to the 2003 World Championship days, acquired a guy who provides both great speed and above average defense in Emilio Bonaficio. This young prospect intrigues me with his tantalizing speed and sound defense. About the only element he is missing is consistency at the plate. If he can develop that, he could turn into a young Luis Castillo and really provide the Marlins with a nice lead-off option that would allow the Marlins to keep Hanley Ramirez in the middle of the order. In regards to the two prospects the Marlins obtained, don't know too much about them other than that Smolinski is an 18-year old hitting machine that really doesn't have a position. In my mind, Smolinski would be better suited as a DH in the American League once he develops. Trade #3 The Florida Marlins trade RP Kevin Gregg to the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitching prospect Jose Ceda. Remember when the trade went down. Could not believe that the Cubs would give up such an amazing arm in Jose Ceda for a reliever who appears to have been overworked and starting to slowly decline. Towards season's end, Kevin Gregg wore down and blew saves in very pivotal games for the Marlins. By mid-September, Kevin Gregg lost his closer role to Matt Lindstrom and could never regain the title. Unlike the 2007 season, Kevin Gregg walked more batters and gave up more which eventually caught up to him at the end of the season as he had to work unnecessarily hard in order to close games out. Now he goes onto the Cubs to replace Kerry Wood in the bullpen. Wish him the best. But, the Marlins got an amazing talent in Jose Ceda in return. Featuring a high-90s fastball that can reach the century mark, he displays the talents of a future All-Star closer. Through reading scouting reports, Jose Ceda has been compared to an Armando Benitez in terms of stature and intimidation. Standing 6'4" tall and weighing around 265lbs, he intimidates batters at the plate with his wicked fastball. Needs to work on his change-up and needs a bit more control, but he's not far from joining the Marlins bullpen and could be a few short years away from closing for the Florida Marlins.

According to Bill Ingram at Hoopsworld.com and a few sources, the Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings are discussing a possible trade that would be centered around Shawn Marion going to the Kings and Brad Miller coming to the Heat. Beyond that, details are quite obscure and would be pure speculation. Of course other players would have to be added to such a deal to balance salaries. Will keep everyone updated on the situation as more info becomes available.

Would love to see the Marlins add Ronny Paulino. Thnking back to last season when the Marlins nearly acquired Manny Ramirez, the Marlins would have sent Jeremy Hermida to the Pirates. Wondering if the Pirates still would be interested in Hermida. If so, I would do a trade that would send Jeremy Hermida to the Pirates for C Ronny Paulino and RP John Grabow.

With several trades having already been completed in the NBA, this has really got me thinking about the Miami Heat and trades that could help improve this team. So, using the ESPN Trade Machine, I have created some reasonable trade proposals involving the Miami Heat that I would like to get your opinions on. 1. The Miami Heat trade F Shawn Marion and PG Marcus Banks to the Sacramento Kings for C Brad Miller, PG Bobby Jackson, and SG Quincy Douby. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/trad...p;te=&cash= Reasoning: Throughout the season, it has become quite obvious that the Miami Heat need a true bigman in the middle and that Shawn Marion really doesn't fit the system. Brad Miller would come in and be the perfect fit at center for the Heat while Marion would bring his massive expiring contract to the Kings to replace Artest. The Heat also rid themselves of Marcus Banks's contract while getting back a nice, veteran PG with an expiring contract in Bobby Jackson. 2. The Miami Heat trade C Mark Blount to the New York Knicks for F Malik Rose and a future 2nd round draft pick. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/trad...p;te=&cash= Reasoning: The Miami Heat, after acquiring Miller, would no longer need Mark Blount as he has been sparingingly used as it is. In order to rid themselves of his contract and acquire an expiring contract, the Heat would make this move. The Heat could then look to buy out Malik Rose and clear cap room for next season and beyond. With these moves, the Miami Heat would improve their team and place themselves in a better cap situation for the 2010 season when several major free agents will be on the market. New Depth Chart: C Brad Miller Jamaal Magloire Joel Anthony PF Udonis Haslem Joel Anthony Malik Rose (if not bought out) SF Michael Beasley Yakhouba Diawara Dorell Wright (injured) James Jones (injured) PG Mario Chalmers Bobby Jackson Chris Quinn Shaun Livingston SG Dwayne Wade Daquean Cook Quincy Douby