dolfinfan305

I think the trade thats on the table w/ the O's is pretty good if they include denny bautista....we need a second baseman thats as much lke Luis as possible and Brian Roberts looks good. He hit for a decent average, was 80% successful in stealing bases (23 of 29), and is good defensively (7 errors on '03). So a Riley/Roberts/Baustista trade for D. Lee looks good.

I think this is the Marlins plans....Sign Pudge for 2 more years (b/c past that we wont know since he is a catcher and those knees are a concern after playing such a long time)....After 2 years either Ramon Castro or Josh Willingham will take over catcher (they can learn from Pudge)....in the Arizona Fall League Josh is one of the best offensive players batting over .300 and has no errors at the catcher position...on a side note, i think Luis Castillo is going to get too expensive for the Marlins and i believe that they will get a second base prospect in a trade to play this year and Conine will pay first base.

Update 11/15/03 Possible trade details: The Orioles' offer includes young left-hander Matt Riley, the source said, with either second baseman Jerry Hairston or middle infielder Brian Roberts possibly in the package as well. The Marlins could also ask for lefty reliever B.J. Ryan or ask for one of their pitching prospects from the Conine deal - Denny Bautista or Don Levinski From the Baltimore Sun: Source: O's make offer for Marlins' Lee Payroll problems make Florida prime player in offseason trade market -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Joe Christensen Sun Staff Originally published November 14, 2003 PHOENIX - The Orioles have money to spend. The Florida Marlins have payroll to trim. That could turn the two teams into trade partners again this offseason, and yesterday major league sources said the Orioles were targeting Marlins first baseman Derrek Lee. Late last night, in fact, one major league source gave indications that the Orioles had made an offer for Lee and were waiting to hear back from the Marlins before leaving the general manager meetings today. Orioles vice presidents Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan would not discuss their specific dealings with clubs this week, but industry sources said the Orioles made multiple offers to teams looking to slash payroll. The Milwaukee Brewers are trying to trim next year's payroll from $40 million to $30 million, and they have been shopping power hitting first baseman Richie Sexson. The Orioles had discussions with the Brewers early in the week, but those talks stalled, and by last night, Lee seemed to be the more likely trade target. Sexson hit 45 home runs last season, but he is under contract for $8.6 million next season in his final year before free agency. A report in yesterday's South Florida Sun Sentinel indicated that the world champion Marlins have serious payroll concerns and could be forced to bring back a team with a $60 million payroll next season, with $11 million of that tied up in deferred payments. Lee, who won the National League Gold Glove Award at first base this year, is eligible for salary arbitration and could earn about $7 million next season. He hit .291 this season with 31 home runs and 113 RBIs, and most scouts feel his power production would greatly increase at a hitter-friendly park such as Camden Yards. The Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles also were searching for first base help this week, putting them in the running for Sexson and Lee. At midseason, the Orioles and Marlins talked about swapping first basemen - Lee for Jeff Conine - and Conine eventually went to Florida for pitching prospects Denny Bautista and Don Levinski. Beattie and Flanagan have said adding offense is their top priority this offseason, and first base is one position they're hoping to upgrade. David Segui is still under contract for one more season at $7 million, but with his history of injury problems, he isn't being counted on to be a regular next season - at first base or designated hitter, according to Beattie. "I don't think we can count on that necessarily," Beattie said. "We hope he's healthy, and anything he does is a plus. But injuries are a fact of life, and we all have to be prepared for the alternative." no specific players were discussed in the article for Lee but i would imagine that it would include Denny bautista....i had that he was going to be are next young dominating power pitcher