Keyswayne

I am worried that w/o DLee our gold glove infielders will suffer. DLee was obviously the most important infield in terms of fielding, and I think our legendary defense will suffer. Any thoughts? For one thing, there has never been, and probably never will be any such thing as a defensive first baseman. Lee did an excellent job defensively and put up some decent numbers. He was more than adequate as a 6 hole hitter. But he isn't a 4 hitter, and that's the kind of money he's getting now. The Cubs are going to be disappointed when they try to protect Sammy with DLee. The difference between DLee and another quality major leauge 1st baseman isn't going to be significant. Choi will make plays, Conine will make plays. Cabrera, if called upon to play 1st, will make plays. DLee became too expensive to keep around. I wish him well in Chicago, and I look forward to him matching up against our pitching, behind Sammy.

I read somewhere that because of this deal we might me able to kepe AJ and the reason for the trade was for money for the pitchers. It could possibly be AJ and Choi for D. Lee. I'd take those two over Lee any day. Yes, I think that's been the plan all along, to try to keep the pitching. AJ will be a big gamble tho, since it's likely he will be recovering for much of the season, and then is a free agent. But it's a nice gamble.

I think playing in Wrigley is kind of captivating for a player too. It's not like US Cellular field, where they draw 20,000 in the middle of a pennant race. It's packed all year. True fans. And if the CUbs are in it, which odds are, they will be, I'm sure Lee will get caught up in it, and his play will be affected. Just like Aramis Ramirez got so much better after coming to the Cubs. Derrek Lee isn't exactly a pressure performer. I put it nicely. You put it very nicely. Sugar coated in fact. The Cubs think Lee is going to back up Sammy. I have a feeling Sammy is going to get a few more walks than he's used to next season.

I really dont think Pudge will be back. I think he is making a big mistake too - this is a championship team, and will be so for some time. He could not only secure his legacy as a HOF, but as a winnner too. Oh well, guess money is more important. I have tried to deny Vlad coming here. I have tried to be rational about it, but I keep returning to a feeling that he is on his way here - if not already offered a deal. I think in order to do that we do need to deal Lee, Redman, and lose either Castillo or Pudge. All that, it seems, is going to happen. Vlad will allow Cabs to go to LF and Conine to 1B. If we could still sign (Korean) Lee, we could platoon him this year and work him in as the everyday 1B should Stokes not pan out when Conine retires a Marlin. By then, we should have another title... Cape, interesting post about the info-mercial technique to generate revenue. Seems a very shrewd tactic. I don't think Pudge needs to secure anything. He's already a HOF shoo in. He already has a ring. He is in position to get paid, and he would be crazy not to. It's incredibly naive for people to factor in things like "loyalty" and "home town discount" into the equation. He was only here for ONE season, and that was a stop gap for him. He served this team well, but it's time to let go. The other factor you mentioned was this being a championship team. The odds of a small market team doing it twice in a row are extremely long. I don't know when you tried "to deny Vlad coming here". All I ever remember reading in your posts is that he could be, or would be. I don't see it myself, and would much prefer the money be spent on pitching. There is a long way to go in that department. It's not as glamorous as talking about Vlad, but I t hink it's much more important.

Pudge apparently has said he would be willing to accept a deal to go to either the Yankees or the Bosox. He also claimed these are the only other teams besides the marlins he would be willing to sign with. I caught the tail end of this on the radio just a minute ago so don't put too much stock into it, I haven't seen anything on the web yet so we'll see. If anybody else heard/knows anything about this please add. That was A Rod, not I Rod.

I didn't realize that if a team didn't re-sign a free agent, they are prevented from signing him again until after the season starts.? I thought they were still able to bid with the other teams. I don't get the rules either. It has something to do with the fact that the contract that Pudge signed with the Marlins last year stipulates that the Marlins can't offer him arbitration before the December 7th deadline. Evidently, you have to offer your free agents arbitration by December 7th or you can't sign them until May 1st. I think that's what happened to Chuck Finley last year. I'd love to see us keep Pudge, at around 3-years for a total of $21 million. I'd just like us to make him an offer before December 7th. Even if it's just the 2-year $15 million offer we're hearing. If Boras turns it down thinking he can get more elsewhere, he may end up regretting it. But if we can get an offer on the table, then we'll have something to negotiate from. Right now, all we have is the 5-year, $50 million fantasy we hear in the press. I'm hoping this is just typical negotiation BS and they'll try to hammer something out at the last minute. I'd hate for the December 7th deadline to pass and Boras to say we never even made an offer to keep Pudge. Berardino at the Sun-Sentinel and the idiots at the Herald will crucify us for that. I suspect one of the reasons they haven't made an official offer is that it is so far away from the numbers Boras is throwing around. All of this is just a matter of PR work, in my opinion. I don't think the Marlins really think they have much of a chance of re-signing Pudge, but have to go through the motions for the fans. To show that they are at least trying. I'm guessing that they will make their move late, so that Boras won't be able to mangle them in the press. They will either make what ever offer they feel they can realistically afford , or they will just make a statement that they didn't want to insult Pudge with what they would be able to offer, based on Boras' statements. Either way, they will be looking for positive spin, and I'll be surprised if they get any more than that out of the whole deal. As far as Berardino, and LeBatard go, they will continue to jump on any and all opportunities to drive a stake into the heart of the Marlins. they have taken a positition and both are trying to build careers on them. Neither seems to be have any prolblem with not letting the facts get in the way of a good story.

I don't think it's stupid, I think it's reality. Boras is pricing Pudge out of the Marlins market, and he knows it. And it's not a surprise. It's just good business. His client had a good year, with tons of publicity. He's a shoe in hall of famer,and he's going to get paid....beyond his value to this team. So it's time to let go. I will also be surprised if Castillo is resigned. I saw somewhere where he was quoted as saying something like he didn't want to "be stupid about the money". That's the reality of the situation. He is at peak value around MLB, but not necessarily for the Marlins. I don't really see him fitting in with the Yankees, and that environment. But Boston will likely take a run at him. I would guess he's being advised not to take a low offer frm the fish, and to test the market. There are other players available that can match, or put up similar numbers, at a much better value. It's probably time to let go of Luis too.

Pudge won't be available if we let him test the market past Dec 7th. I didn't realize that if a team didn't re-sign a free agent, they are prevented from signing him again until after the season starts.? I thought they were still able to bid with the other teams. Even so, with Boras starting at 5 yrs and $50 mil, I think he knows he's eliminating the Marlins from the mix.? I don't think anybody thinks Pudge will get that, but he's setting the bar high, to artificially inflate the price.? There's a good chance somebody will overpay for Pudge.? I hope it's not the Marlins.I don't think people realize how much a risk Castro really is. Look at Castro's numbers against right-handed pitching. He's far from a sure thing.

good news and good to see because its true that the 1-2 combo is the most important part of the line up obviously the statistics of when they got on base and our winning % speak for itself I don't agree that it speaks for itself. I think there are other players that can come pretty close to having the year Castillo had last year for a lot less money. How many bases he stole over the last 8 years isn't relevant. He just had hip surgery, and limped through the whole season. No guarantee that he will ever be anywhere near the base stealer he once was. Much to my surprise, the important part of that 1-2 punch was actually Pierre. I don't think I want to see any long term commitment to Luis, as much as I like the guy. Freeing up that payroll will make the Marlins more flexible to be creative filling that 2 hole, and filling that 2nd base hole. They don't have to both be filled by the same guy, either. I wouldn't mind seeing someone in that 2 hole that had a little more pop.

I think it's a mistake to assume Luis will be back. He isn't going to sign for a discount. I don't think the Marlins are going to break the bank with an offer to him. I suspect the Dec 7th will arrive without Luis or Pudge being signed. If the Yankees and Red Sox go after Luis, he isn't coming back. He's a very likable guy, and I'd love to have him back myself, but his value is limited. The market may be beyond his value to this team. I will guarantee you that Pudge will not be signed before the deadline. He will test the market. The Marlins front office has been playing this exactly like they have to. Many baseball people think and have said that they think the market may be limited on Pudge. I agree. But it only takes one owner to make an impulse move , and he's signed. I don't think people in general realize how good a player Castro is. He will be fine. He will not be "platooning" with another right handed hitting catcher. It doesn't work that way. If he clears his legal problems he will be the starting catcher, unless there is no market for Pudge, and he is still available after he tests the market. I'm still not going to be surprised if Eric Young's name pops up after the Dec 7 deadline. Don't forget, that not signing free agents at top market dollars opens up some payroll for established players we haven't even thought about yet.

"...Palmeiro, 39, has slugged at least 38 home runs in each of the past nine seasons. The Orioles would prefer to add younger players -and there were indications Tuesday that they may have moved closer to a deal for Florida Marlins first baseman Derrek Lee - but Palmeiro has surfaced as another option at designated hitter. Flanagan would not give specifics, but he did say, "We have some other irons in the fire." --------------------------------- What's unsaid here is that Raffy is rounded disliked by fans in Baltimore if their messageboard postings are any indication and the sense is this posturing while trying to get Lee. He makes some sense there, but only as a DH, they don;t see him playing first. From rotoworld: Anthony Gargano of WIP 610 in Philadelphia is reporting that the Phillies could complete a trade for Curt Schilling before the end of the week. Two possibilities are being mentioned. One has Cole Hamels and Chase Utley going to Arizona in return for Schilling. The other possibility is a three-team trade which includes the Marlins. The Diamondbacks would get Derrek Lee from Florida and Josh Hancock from Philadelphia. The Phillies would also send Utley and Ryan Howard to Florida and get Schilling back. I don't know how good of an idea it is to help the Phillies get Schilling back.

No surprise to me. He had consistent quality ABs with the Marlins last season, even though he didn't get many chances. I think he's for real, and he has that rare pop that can't be coached. He has to be starting somewhere next year. I hope it's for the Marlins.

Geez, he was a slap hitting bench player. A likable guy, but come on!! A lot of the local fans seem to be a little too resistant to changes. It probably has to do with the way this team has been mishandled in the past. But let's get a grip, people are going to come and go.

I would be shocked in Lopez doesnt at least get 8-10MM per. He is 33, but he just came off a ridiculous offensive season. That said, I wouldnt sign him. The only team out there that can pen a deal like that is the Yankees - the O's would seem unwilling to go after Lopez at that price. Other than that, who else would sign Lopez? Oh, and the Yanks have Posada still... That indicates Pudge will be back - probably at less than he made last season! But the Marlins should prove generous... I too do not see the need to keep Lee, Castillo, Encarnacion, or Redman for that matter. Castillo you let walk, save the money - it can be better spent, I hate to say. Lee, Enc, Redman - all have good value in trades. They can land us what we want and need AND free up lots of money to sign players. We need to re-sign Burnett and Lowell. I would love to keep Uggy, maybe even let Looper go. We need bullpen help, period. With this plan in effect, we could even sign Vlad. I know, but I really think as much as I try to explain Vlad away, the more likely he seems to be coming here. We'll see... Of the players you listed, I wouldn't shed a tear if Encarnacion, Lee or Redman were traded. I think we could get good value back for all of them. As for Lopez.....it should be interesting to see what offers he gets. Maybe four years ago he would've got offered a ridiculous amount of money for just one outstanding season....with the payroll structure as it is now, I don't see many teams "over-paying" a guy like Lopez. Like you said, Gee, it will be interesting. I think a lot of people are holding their breath on both sides of the free agent market to see what's going to happen. All it really takes is one greedy owner losing it, and that opens the flood gates. All of the Marlins moves are greatly contingent on whatever their first move is. There are thousands of variables.

You can't even compare one of the best hitters in baseball to someone who just had their career year, and has been proven unable to perform in the clutch. There seems to be a tendency in this market, for the fans to want to cling to their players a little more than in more experienced areas. DLee is probably at the highest trade value possible, and will contribute to this team the most by bringing other talent in return for his departure. Much like his buddy, Cliffy, and P Dub. He is an excellent defensive first baseman, but the money can be better spent elsewhere.

hmm...I'm warming slightly the idea of Valdez at 2B...especially because of his defense, age, and contact hitting. If Castillo turns down our offer then we could keep Lee and bring up Valdez....I actually wouldn't mind that scenario at all. Actually, if you let Castillo go, and trade Lee you free up a lot of payroll to use on luxuries, like ....pitching. I love Castilllo, and I love to watch him play, but in terms of total value, he is expendable. I don't think whoever replaces him will match ALL of things Luis used to do, but they don't have to. There will be less drop off in overall value at that position, even if bringing up a new guy, than losing someone with some power who can knock in runs. There's a better chance Pudge resigns if the market is indeed cool for the catchers this season. Especially if the salaries of Castillo and Lee are being paid by somebody else. I'll miss Castillo a lot more than Lee, but I don't think it's a great overall loss to the nulceus.

You have to look beyond those basic stats when comparing a player like Conine to one like Lee. The most important aspect of this situation to me, is that you're going to get consistent quality ABs from Conine, instead of the inconsistency of Lee. Conine does things like move up runners, and you can hit and run with him, etc. He has a better command of the strike zone. And he hits in the clutch. Something that was missing from Lee and was frustrating to watch. Many of his HRs were late in games that were already decided. Conine's stats will be steady and adequate, but he's bringing a lot more to the table.

I'm going on the report that the Marlins already floated a 3-year 15 million deal. If 3 years is fine, then why not 4? Especially if its for less money. Because that's an increase of 33% above the original offer, that's why. That's a substantial difference.

No, for one thing I remember hearing some rumblings last year that he wasn't all that popular in the clubhouse. He caused some problems. For another, the Marlins dont' have a catcher problem,...yet, and can't make their first move one of desperation. They have tremendous leverage in the trade market right now. They are extremely flexible, and that puts them in the driver's seat as far as negotiatiating goes. But after they make their first move, it decreases their strength substantially. Therefore, they are going to have to have an entire strategy worked out before they pull the trigger on the first move. After they make one move, it will tip their hand, but until then, they are calling the shots. They have to go through the motions of offering deals to Pudge and Castillo, even if it's only for the benefit of us fans. At some point it's going to become apparent that it will just cost too much. Hopefully, by then, it may become a little more clear how Castro is going to do with his legal problems. I expect them to go away, based on the early stories I've read. That's when the first deal goes down. It could be Lee for somebody, or Encarnacion for somebody, or whatever. But that will start the ball rolling. The results of the early moves will dictate the rest. The variables are endless, the budget is not.

Pirates Decline to Exercise Reese Option By Associated Press Posted November 10 2003, 3:44 PM EST PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates declined to exercise their option on second baseman Pokey Reese, deciding not to pay him $5,125,000 next year after he missed all but five weeks of last season. Reese gets a $750,000 buyout. Pittsburgh had until midnight Sunday to exercise the option. Reese signed a $5 million, two-year deal with the Pirates in 2002 after rejecting a $21 million, four-year offer from Cincinnati the year before. His average jumped from .224 with Cincinnati in 2001 to .264 with the Pirates in 2002 and had four homers and 50 RBIs. He hit .215 in 37 games last season before tearing a thumb ligament. Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said in September that the 30-year-old Reese would not return to Pittsburgh. "We'll look around baseball and look internally to see what our options are," Littlefield said. The two most likely candidates are rookies Freddy Sanchez and Bobby Hill, both acquired during the Pirates' flurry of deals around the trading deadline. Hill, the only player left from the trade that sent third baseman Aramis Ramirez and center fielder Kenny Lofton to the Cubs, has a .254 average in 64 major league games. Sanchez was considered the Red Sox's top middle infield prospect before going to Pittsburgh in the Jeff Suppan trade. Sanchez hit .341 in 211 at-bats with Triple-A Pawtucket last season, but played only one game in the Pirates' system before missing the rest of the season with tendinitis in his right ankle. He has a .220 average in 32 major league games.? ? ? Copyright ? 2003, The Associated Press Maybe $2 million or $3 million for Pokey Reese? WHy would you spend that kind of money on an injury risk 2nd baseman with no pop and a low batting avg? NO WAY. Now maybe an Eric Young. Or somebody new.

Before anybody gets too carried away, look at the name on that article. Berardino has NO credibility in my book. He was wrong all season, and what's worse, he rarely admits when he's wrong. He is one of the most negative reporters I have ever heard of. Anything he writes should be taken with a grain of salt, especially if that's the only source for the info.

Arbitration is always a buyer's market. Arbitrators pick the teams at almost a 3 to 1 pace. Lee and most of the other arbitration players may stay if we can sign Lowell, Castillo and/or Pudge reasonably. Remember, Admin has $80 million in payroll for 2004 and that is alot of money! Where did you get that figure from? That's the first I"ve heard of that. I haven't heard anything higher than $55 mil or so.

I just wanna know why baseball is all about money! It's not about "the team", the friendship, the loyalty, the fun! Why? Why are all of these players so damn greedy and want more money??? How much more money does Pudge want? He has plenty!!! I would be happy if I only got half a million a year! That's not what baseball is all about! I don't know, it just makes me sad! They are supposed to be a team! If you really want to know why, then ask yourself if the opportunity arose for you to move into a little bit better house, would you do it? Would you like to have a little bit better car? Do you want to improve your situation? Or would you be just as happy if someone made you move into a smaller house in a worse neighborhood? Or made you ride a bike instead of drive a car? In other words, it's all relative. It's natural for people to try to improve their situation. If that wasn't the case, all of us fat Americans would cut back on a few calories a day, and there would be enough food to make sure no one in the world was hungry. Or are you only looking up the ladder? Baseball is big business, and players are businessmen. It's not what "baseball is all about", it's what Major League Baseball is all about.

Heat Basketball It's hard to watch the Heat these days, i liked it when they had Hardaway and Alonzo though. I think Pat Riley said the same thing.

Am I the only one who isn't a big fan of a Lowell/Johnson trade? No. As a straight up trade, it would be weak. Johnson is potentially an excellent player, and a professional hitter. But I don' t see him as the guy who anchors the line up like Lowell. Especially if you remove Pudge frm that lineup. While Cabrera looks like the real deal, and should be tough in the middle of the lineup, it's too much to ask of him to carry the load. Lowell is probably the most important part of the offense right now, in my opinion. If you trade him you better get lots of value.