July 22, 200422 yr Marlins inquire about Rockies' Walker By Juan C. Rodriguez Staff Writer Posted July 22 2004 PHILADELPHIA -- Diamondbacks outfielder Steve Finely remains atop the Marlins' wish list, but they are exploring at least one other outfield possibility. Admin Walker has piqued the Marlins' interest to the point that they have engaged in preliminary discussions with the Rockies, according to industry sources. A .314 career hitter entering this season, Walker, 37, is in the second-to-last season of a six-year, $75 million deal. That contract contains a no-trade clause, and Walker is not especially eager to leave. He already nixed one trade before the 2003 season that would have sent him to the Diamondbacks. "I don't see [a trade] as anything to really waste time thinking about or talking about," Walker told the Rocky Mountain News for today's editions. "I think if [Rockies General Manager] Dan [O'Dowd] was looking at something he would let me know, at least that talks are getting serious. I think he knows I am not afraid to say no." Even if Walker were to approve a trade to the Marlins, any potential deal would require scaling some financial obstacles. Walker will earn $12.5 million in 2005 and has a $1 million buyout in 2006. According to industry sources, the Marlins would want the Rockies to take Jeff Conine, who is guaranteed $3 million in 2005, in any potential deal as well as to assume $9 million of Walker's salary for next season. The Rockies may not see trading Walker as a worthwhile venture without greater payroll relief. The Rangers, Red Sox and Dodgers also are believed to have interest in him. STOLEN SUMMER How much the Marlins miss Pudge Rodriguez's bat this season has been well established. How much they miss his `arm is becoming equally apparent. The Mets stole five bases Tuesday, giving them 12 in 14 attempts in the past five meetings between the teams. Speedy teams are exploiting the Marlins' combination of rookie catching and the pitching staff's generally slow deliveries. Even Mike Redmond, who has had success throwing out base stealers in his career, has struggled this season. "In my mind, I always think I can throw everybody out," Redmond said. "We probably need to keep a better eye on those guys and keep them closer." Since June 25, opponents have been successful on 30 of 35 stolen-base attempts. Rodriguez threw out 19 of 59 runners last season. More importantly, his presence and reputation limited attempts. Opponents tried to steal 93 times in 2003 and have already made 82 attempts this season. ALLISON DISCHARGED Marlins 2003 first-round draft pick Jeff Allison was discharged from a Lynn, Mass., hospital Monday after being admitted over the weekend. The Salem News quoted Rob Nash, one of Allison's former coaches, as saying, "The kid's got a sickness. He's hit rock bottom. The kid needs some support right now. You can draw your own conclusions." Union Hospital spokesperson Lauren Fish confirmed Allison was released, but privacy laws precluded her from revealing why he was admitted. Allison left the Marlins after testing positive for marijuana. He also has received treatment for an OxyContin addiction. BACK-TRACKING Second baseman Luis Castillo felt his back tighten up Tuesday when he scored the go-ahead run from second in the sixth inning. Seeing how hard Miguel Cabrera hit the ball through the left side, Castillo turned on the jets anticipating a play at the plate, and suffered back spasms. Castillo is day-to-day. ... Redmond fouled a ball off his foot during Tuesday's game and came out in the ninth inning. He did not start Wednesday but was available to play.
July 22, 200422 yr Author i doubt it also, i have a feelign Beinfest is inquiring since the Braves are also interested. he would be a great bat so you cant say never.
July 22, 200422 yr We aren't getting Admin. 469761[/snapback] Why not? Please elaborate... Thanks. 469799[/snapback] i think the biggest reason why is: if the Rockies are trying to shop Walker, it's b/c they're looking to save money. the only way we could take on Walker is if they eat a huge portion of his contract. a team like Boston or Atlanta, on the other hand, could pay more of his deal, and i'm sure that will make their trade offers much more appealing than ours. but, then again....can THEY offer Jeff Conine?????? i really hope we get Admin. all this talk about Steve Finley doesn't do much for me. this offense has serious problems if we can't get AJ a win after the way he pitched last night. Getting Finley would be like trying to bail out a flood with a teaspoon. Walker could change the face of this whole offense. he flat-out mashes. put him in at #3, we're a different team.
July 22, 200422 yr I dont think the Marlins would take on enough salary in a deal....therefore it wont be worth it for the Rockies
July 22, 200422 yr yes, i think he missed 60 games this year 470060[/snapback] that's why we would be able to get him so cheap. just like the only reason we're able to get Finley cheap is b/c he's so old (39). it's no coincidence.
July 22, 200422 yr Mr. Marlin can not be traded. 470145[/snapback] For Admin Walker he sure as hell can be.
July 22, 200422 yr Walker is 37, finley is 39, so theyre both old. Walker is a lot more injury prone and finley has been jacking them out of the park, granted most were early on but still. You cna platoon him with conine and put niner in against lefties only.
July 22, 200422 yr This will not happen in a million years, at least not in this offseason. But I Was thinking of Conine last year and considering the marlins pulling off another big return in Preston from The Rocks. I've heard he was available for the absolute right deal but still doubt it would happen.
July 22, 200422 yr This will not happen in a million years, at least not in this offseason. But I Was thinking of Conine last year and considering the marlins pulling off another big return in Preston from The Rocks. I've heard he was available for the absolute right deal but still doubt it would happen. 470366[/snapback] I would think they'd rather keep The youthful wilson that the aging Walker.
July 22, 200422 yr This will not happen in a million years, at least not in this offseason. But I Was thinking of Conine last year and considering the marlins pulling off another big return in Preston from The Rocks. I've heard he was available for the absolute right deal but still doubt it would happen. 470366[/snapback] I would think they'd rather keep The youthful wilson that the aging Walker. 470391[/snapback] Of course they would but it's been said that he would be available for that right deal. THat right deal usually is nothing more than wishful thinking on their part.
July 22, 200422 yr Mr. Marlin can not be traded. 470145[/snapback] oh, please. 470323[/snapback] He won't. He will retire a Marlin
July 22, 200422 yr Mr. Marlin can not be traded. 470145[/snapback] oh, please. 470323[/snapback] He won't. He will retire a Marlin 470450[/snapback] I love Jeff Conine... but I don't give a s***.
July 22, 200422 yr Mr. Marlin can not be traded. 470145[/snapback] oh, please. 470323[/snapback] He won't. He will retire a Marlin 470450[/snapback] if this is all about puppies, ice cream, and "the pride of the Marlins", Conine should agree to play for free. until that happens, this is a business, and we gotta do what's right for the team. we can't just keep a guy on the team b/c he makes a good mascot (other than Lenny Harris, of course)
July 22, 200422 yr Mr. Marlin can not be traded. 470145[/snapback] oh, please. 470323[/snapback] He won't. He will retire a Marlin 470450[/snapback] if this is all about puppies, ice cream, and "the pride of the Marlins", Conine should agree to play for free. until that happens, this is a business, and we gotta do what's right for the team. we can't just keep a guy on the team b/c he makes a good mascot (other than Lenny Harris, of course) 470712[/snapback] Exactly. I don't mind Jeff Conine, but I DO mind him at $3 Million per. If he was a true gamer he'd take a pay cut in the off-season. If not, f***'em.
July 22, 200422 yr If you subtract Conine from the team and replace him with Admin Walker I do not think we are that much improved, not enough to merit the $$$ it would cost us anyhow.
July 23, 200422 yr If you subtract Conine from the team and replace him with Admin Walker I do not think we are that much improved, not enough to merit the $$$ it would cost us anyhow. 470931[/snapback] :thumbup you have that one right.
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