G.C.0806

Thanks Admin. Thank you .

G.C.0806

Go D-Train!! That's really cool. I am happy for him. He deserves a lot of respect. He's so humble and such a funny dude. yup :thumbup .

How do i change it.

Mine is jpierre0806 but i want to change it.

Thanks.

How do you? I go to edit name colors but it dosen't let me.

Darn it. Oh well. But good article.

A heavy week of free-agent signings by prominent relievers has pushed the Marlins into overdrive in their search for late-inning help. According to an industry source, the Marlins were gearing up to "make a strong run" for a closer as they head to New Orleans today for the start of baseball's winter meetings. Their primary target is hard-throwing Armando Benitez, who split a difficult 2003season among three different teams. The Marlins nearly acquired the All-Star right-hander in July before dealing for Ugueth Urbina instead when the Texas Rangers agreed to cover the bulk of his salary. Mike Powers, the pitcher's Baltimore-based agent, confirmed the Marlins are one of four teams in "active discussions" regarding Benitez. Powers would not name the teams Thursday evening but said they are split equally between the National and American leagues. Powers will not be in New Orleans this weekend but said he would not be surprised to field his first offers in the coming days. "We certainly expect that to happen and to happen soon," Powers said. Free-agent closer Keith Foulke could dictate some of that timing as he weighs rival offers from Oakland and Boston. Reports have the Red Sox willing to pay Foulke as much as $24 million over four years, which figures to impact the market for Urbina and Benitez, the next two free-agent closers in the pecking order. Other big-name free agents on the block this weekend include outfielder Vladimir Guerrero; shortstop Miguel Tejada; catchers Pudge Rodriguez and Javy Lopez; and pitchers Greg Maddux, Kevin Millwood and Sidney Ponson. Stars mentioned in trade rumors include Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Percival, Magglio Ordonez, Kevin Brown and Alfonso Soriano. Benitez, 31, made $6.9 million last year while posting a 2.96 ERA in 69 games. He blew eight saves in 29 chances but has a career save percentage of .849. A return to the closer's role is important for Benitez, Powers said, adding that all four teams in contention would use him that way. "The only criteria we put out there was he has to be the closer," Powers said. The Marlins did not offer Urbina arbitration by Sunday's deadline, meaning he will sign elsewhere. Seattle did not offer Benitez arbitration, so he can be signed without draft-pick compensation as well. Benitez is familiar with South Florida and considered buying property in the area last winter. He also is friendly with Marlins second baseman Luis Castillo, a fellow Dominican. "Armando loves it down there, absolutely loves it," Powers said. "He knows Luis. Those guys are pretty good friends. He knows a bunch of the guys. He's down there often. He loves South Beach. He likes that team." Braden Looper, the Marlins' closer until the final week of the regular season, isn't expected to be tendered a contract by the Dec. 20 deadline. Looper, who made $2.4 million last year, could see that figure climb past $4 million in salary arbitration. It's possible the Marlins will non-tender Looper, then try to re-sign him for a lower fee. If the Marlins don't get Benitez, they could turn their sights to former closers Jose Jimenez or Mike Williams. Both free agents finished last season as setup men in Colorado and Philadelphia, respectively, and could share closer duties with Marlins right-hander Chad Fox, who re-signed this week for $1.2 million. The Marlins also would have trade interest in right-hander Scott Williamson if the Red Sox decide to move him. Had the Marlins retained Rodriguez, they would have sifted through the bargain bin for a few cheap arms. However, the catcher's departure potentially leaves them with as much as $10 million to spend on three roster spots while still remaining below their $60 million payroll target. That calculation assumes the departures of Looper and outfielder Juan Encarnacion, another non-tender candidate due more than $5 million in arbitration. While the Marlins continue to monitor Lopez, the Orioles remain the favorites to sign the former Atlanta stalwart. Pittsburgh would gladly move catcher Jason Kendall, but the Pirates are unwilling to eat more than half of the $42 million that remains on his contract. Kendall also has a blanket no-trade clause, and it's unknown if the California resident would welcome a move to South Florida. The bullpen became even more of a front-burner issue after former Twin Eddie Guardado (three years, $13 million) signed with Seattle this week and Tim Worrell jumped to Philadelphia for $5.5 million over the next two years. Other relievers to sign in recent days included Kerry Ligtenberg (Toronto), Scott Sullivan (Kansas City), LaTroy Hawkins (Cubs), Shigetoshi Hasegawa (Seattle) and Tom Gordon (Yankees). "Those guys are just flying off the board," said an official from a National League club. Mike Berardino can be reached at mberardino@sun-sentinel.com. Email story Print story MORE HEADLINES Copyright ? 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

That trade would be good. We have all of our Outfield set. We need a catcher that has been in the MLB at least 2+ Years and has proven himself already. Good Trade. i would do it. I totally agree with you :thumbup .

Thank you like i said before here is my lineup Pierre Castillo Guerrero Lowell Cabs Conine/Choi Castro/Redmond or AGon Same as above Pitcher spot That's good.

[WTF? Why. Maybe we can get vlad and loduca.

Why not he has clutch power doesn't strike out a 100 times. Beside's pierre castillo loduca. That's a hell of a lineup.

I like that lineup. But what about this. Pierre Castillo LoDuca Vlad Cabs Lowell Conine Gonzalez

Also on floridamarlins.com

Marlins explore possible deals By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Javy Lopez (left) may be a player targeted by the Marlins' front office. (Ryan Remiorz/AP) NEW ORLEANS -- Smart spending enabled the Marlins to put together a World Series championship team. Marlins management heads to the Winter Meetings this weekend hopeful of duplicating their 2003 success. "We're going to follow up on ideas and we're going to be open to new ideas," general manager Admin Beinfest said. But Beinfest cautions that just because the Marlins are noted for wheeling-and-dealing in the past doesn't necessarily mean they will complete any blockbuster moves in New Orleans. "There really is only two times that everybody in the league is together, the GM meetings [in November], and the Winter Meetings," Beinfest said. "We're going to see what's going on." Right now there is a lot of speculation of what the Marlins may be prepared to do. The team is exploring whether it is possible to sign either catcher Javy Lopez or outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. Lopez may be receptive to an offer similar to what catcher Ivan Rodriguez recently turned down, two-years for $16 million with an option for a third year that would up the package to $24 million. Guerrero, meanwhile, will be more costly. Both sides share a past history. Beinfest and a number of other front office personnel used to work for the Expos. Beinfest declined comment on specific players. In order to sign a high-priced free agent, however, the Marlins would have to be creative. Also, signing a big-name player could come at the expense of other players. Owner Jeffrey Loria has given Beinfest a $60 million payroll range. Beinfest did say the Marlins are in the market for relief help, particularly a closer. Reportedly, there is strong interest in Armando Benitez. Already, a number of quality relievers have changed teams. In recent days, Tim Worrell signed with the Phillies, strengthening their improved bullpen that added closer Billy Wagner in November. Asked if there still are quality relievers on the market, Beinfest emphatically says, "yes." "I'm confident enough that we'll be able to add a quality player," he said. Over the past few days, the Marlins have been focused on their arbitration-eligible players. Their list includes, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, pitchers Brad Penny, A.J. Burnett, Carl Pavano, Mark Redman, Braden Looper, catcher Ramon Castro and right fielder Juan Encarnacion. Encarnacion is now expected back. And there is a chance the team will make a multiyear offer to Gonzalez, which would mean the entire infield would be signed for more than one season. The Marlins promise to be active at the Winter Meetings. They could surprise by making a big splash with a high-profile signing. But that is not a given. "We are always looking to improve," Beinfest said. But they will do so by spending smartly to remain within their budget. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Let's get Vlad. :deal Let's get this deal done :deal

:notworthy Yeah let's get vlad :mischief . :deal let's get it done.

:fyou pudge

Another move to shore up the bench. I like it. me too

Excellent :thumbup

YAY ! at least we have them being resonable..Go Castillo and Go lowell.....Pudge Good luck with you getting any where with that demand !..Go marlins Yeah pudge go elsewhere. Nah nah nah nah nah hey hey hey goodbye

nice move by the FO resigning Harris though. Yup i think that was a good move :cheers . It gives our bench some potential!

Paulie? hell yea, id love to have him him or Javy or bust There both good :thumbup

yea, the news is that Pudge is a chump :lol ha