July 19, 200422 yr also Beckett may be ready for Sunday vs Montreal, & Marlins scout sighted in DBacks-Dodgers series. (Finley? Werth?) Sun-Sentinel Talk of a trade doesn't surprise Benitez, Pavano by Juan C. Rodriguez PITTSBURGH ? Starting tonight at Shea Stadium, the Marlins play their next 14 against National League East opponents. If they fall out of postseason contention, some team members are prepared for the possibility of finishing the season elsewhere. Neither Carl Pavano nor Armando Benitez, both free agents at season's end, would be shocked if the Marlins traded them before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. With a dearth of pitchers on the market, the Marlins could likely name their price for either. "If that's the case, I think that's a smart move by them," Pavano said. "They can get guys that can help them in the future. Otherwise, they're just going to end up getting no one." Considering Freddy Garcia just signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the White Sox, Pavano could probably command four years for $30 million. Benitez? Using Keith Foulke's four-year, $20.75 million contract as a barometer, Benitez could secure around $6 million a season for the next three. Though he's not eligible for free agency until after 2005, Brad Penny is a potential trade candidate as well. He could seek more than $8 million through arbitration this offseason. Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest would not address potential trade scenarios. "It wouldn't surprise me," Benitez said. "I feel comfortable here. I feel very good, but if my destiny is to go, what can I do?" Going now wouldn't preclude Benitez or Pavano from coming back. Last season, the Orioles traded Sidney Ponson to the Giants in a pre-deadline deal, then signed him to a three-year, $22.5 million free-agent contract. Pavano and Benitez did not rule out returning to the Marlins in 2005 if they are traded. "I don't think that far ahead," Pavano said. "It's not a big concern of mine. As far as I'm concerned, this team is going to win and we're going to be in the playoffs, but from a business standpoint, [a trade] could work to their advantage." BECKETT PROGRESSING Sidelined starter Josh Beckett (skin tear) will throw off a mound for the first time Tuesday. He's hopeful that after two bullpen sessions and a simulated game, he'll be ready to start Sunday in Montreal. "It's coming along," said Beckett, who tore a small patch of skin off the tip of his right middle finger during a July 5 outing. "It just takes time." Though not a blister, this latest problem is likely related. Beckett can feel a blister developing. The tear occurred unexpectedly on one pitch. Beckett has not ruled out experimenting with new grips, but he's loath to change anything that would affect his velocity. "I've definitely thought about it," Beckett said. "I throw hard. Maybe if you take that away I'm just another guy." Another strategy may be for Beckett to take himself out of games when he feels a blister forming. That would save him a trip to the disabled list, but it's easier said than done. "It's tough because you want to be out there pitching," Beckett said. "To have something like that holding you back is a frustrating deal. It's tough to say, `I got a blister coming on. I think I'll shut it down.'" ON THE RADAR Marlins pro scout Orrin Freeman was on hand for this weekend's Dodgers-Diamondbacks series in Arizona. Among those he was likely evaluating: Arizona catcher Brent Mayne and outfielder Steve Finley. A 14-year veteran, Mayne spent five weeks on the disabled list with a back strain and was activated Tuesday. In 30 games, he is batting .218 (17 for 78) with no homers and eight RBI. Finley's numbers (.279-21-45) are more alluring, but the Marlins would have to clear a couple of hurdles to acquire him. Though Finley recently said he wouldn't rule out a trade to the Marlins, he has the right to refuse any move, being a 10-5 guy (10 years in the majors, five with the same club). In addition, Finley is making $7 million this season. Unless the Diamondbacks agree to pick up part of the salary, the Marlins would be responsible for approximately $2.5 million.
July 19, 200422 yr Trading either Penny or Pavano might make sense in the right scenario but trading Benitez would be a clear sign that the team was raising a white flag and giving up on this season. I'm not advocating trading Penny or Pavs but let's face it you have to deal from your strength and ours is righty starting pitching.
July 19, 200422 yr I know this is Reality. But, it seems more like Fantasy Baseball, shuffling the cards before the next hand. Guess Fantasy is Reality and Bankers should take their place on the bench. Barry Larkin is a Cincy Red. Go to a Red's game. Larkin is there. There now for two decades (and hitting .295.) When the announcers give the Pitcher's life-time stats against the opposing team... I have to scratch my head. The opposing team has almost nothing to do with the team they fielded a couple of years ago. No wonder fans are so fickle.
July 19, 200422 yr Trading either Penny or Pavano might make sense in the right scenario but trading Benitez would be a clear sign that the team was raising a white flag and giving up on this season. I'm not advocating trading Penny or Pavs but let's face it you have to deal from your strength and ours is righty starting pitching. 464427[/snapback] i think the way you're thinking about it is trading Pavano or Penny for a big bat. i think what this article is talking about is trading for prospects, building for the future.
July 19, 200422 yr I really dont like that their talking about this already. To me thats a sign of the team giving up.
July 19, 200422 yr Why on earth would they trade Benitez? Our BP is a big problem so why would we trade our only reliable guy? Now our starting pitching..that is the only area where we do have room to expend others in order to help our weak spots. Good starting pitching is at a HUGE premium right now..we could get a lot for one of our well performing guys.
July 19, 200422 yr Why on earth would they trade Benitez? Our BP is a big problem so why would we trade our only reliable guy?464510[/snapback] If we don't do well this next stretch, Benitez will probably be shopped. Bullpen is the last thing a non-contending team needs.
July 19, 200422 yr Finley would really help us but Brent Mayne is a waste and is no better than Redmond or Treanor. I would rather keep Willingham as catcher.
July 19, 200422 yr We might as well go and trade Dontrelle Willis, Cabrera, Lowell. 464562[/snapback] Dude, what are you smoking?
July 19, 200422 yr Warning: The Sun-Sentinel posts trade rumors as news all the time. Last year they almost got their press passes revoked by Loria for writing articles that Lowell and Castillo were going to be gone by the deadline.
July 19, 200422 yr I think we should bring up trade scenarios for Pavano and Benitez and have a deal arranged in case we continue this slump. Might as well be prepared. :confused
July 19, 200422 yr Finley would really help us but Brent Mayne is a waste and is no better than Redmond or Treanor. I would rather keep Willingham as catcher. 464557[/snapback] Finley has been in a horrendous slump recently - hitting about as well as Castro was... 464630[/snapback] He was 0/15 until a homer yesterday
July 19, 200422 yr Warning: The Sun-Sentinel posts trade rumors as news all the time. Last year they almost got their press passes revoked by Loria for writing articles that Lowell and Castillo were going to be gone by the deadline. 464685[/snapback] Damn, really? Tell me more about this.
July 19, 200422 yr so they thought Lowell and Castillo would be gone.... so did everyone else in the country not on this message board
July 19, 200422 yr If we don't turn it around by the end of the month I'll be damned disappointed if we *don't* trade Mando and Pavano or Penny. Theres no way we can afford to keep Penny and Pavano next year. We'll do good to keep one. Honestly at this point I don't see any point in adding anything of consequence to the team. If it weren't for the 9-1 start we'd be absolute crap. There are too many holes to be filled. Best case scenerio IMO is that we play well enough to warrant keeping what we have, but my gut says that we better start getting used to the idea of being sellers.
July 19, 200422 yr i had a dream about this last week, that pavano and benitez were traded.... i hope im not pyscic :/
July 19, 200422 yr Obviously, if we trade either one we're giving up the season. Same scenario last yr when the Lowell trade rumors were flying. Guess these next few weeks are crucial
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