July 23, 200421 yr I so hope this is true...... Colorado's Walker Marlins' top target Tom D'Angelo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Friday, July 23, 2004 PHILADELPHIA -- The Marlins' main interest in the trade market appears to be shifting to Admin Walker, and one scout said the Rockies right fielder would be a better fit than Arizona's Steve Finley. "Walker has a much higher ceiling and he's still a Gold Glove right fielder,'' one National League scout said. "He'd really help (the Marlins).'' In what could be the start of a busy 10 days, Florida traded left-hander Darren Oliver on Thursday to Houston for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Right-hander Justin Wayne will be recalled today from Class AAA Albuquerque and will start Sunday against the Expos. The Marlins have a scout at Dodger Stadium to watch Walker, who has the right to veto any trade. Walker, though, who has a home in South Florida, is just asking that he be kept aware of the talks. "I just don't want to go through what happened before when it was dropped like an atom bomb in my lap,'' he told the Denver Post. "I know there are scouts watching me and what team they are from.'' The Marlins would insist the Rockies pick up most of the $18.5 million Walker is owed for the remainder of this season and next season ($13.5 million), which could be a snag. Walker, 37, would be a good fit in right field, with Miguel Cabrera shifting to left field and Jeff Conine moving to the bench, a significant upgrade defensively as well as offensively. Walker has played just 24 games this season but typically posts power numbers similar to Finley's when healthy, and Walker hits for a better average. He appears to have recovered from the strained left groin that forced him to miss the first 58 games. Finley, 39, is owed about $2.8 million for the rest of this season before becoming a free agent. But with the Phillies also after him, the Marlins would appear to be his second choice, at best. Philadelphia has two advantages: Finley (.286, 23 HRs, 48 RBI) would play center field (he'd be moved to right in Florida with Cabrera going to left) and he'd be hitting in a band box like Citizens Bank Park rather than pitcher-friendly Pro Player Stadium. Whether its Walker, Finley or someone else, the Marlins appear ready to be buyers. "The Marlins are actively involved,'' one National League source said. "They seem ready to do something.'' and to answer the question "why are we focusing on Walker and not Finley?" (from the Herald): Finley insists he'll play center or no deal By Juan C. Rodriguez Staff Writer Posted July 23 2004 PHILADELPHIA ? The Marlins don't need a center fielder, but they're getting one if they acquire Steve Finley from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Thursday, Finley said any interested team that wants him to play somewhere else is wasting its time. As a 10-5 player (10 years in the majors, at least five with the same team), Finley can quash any trade. He won't hesitate to invoke the privilege if he is asked to switch positions.
July 23, 200421 yr Author To all of you worried about the money involved in the Walker deal, here's some math i've done: Conine is owed: $1-$1.5 million for the rest of this season (guesstimate based on $3 million salary) $3 million for next season Walker is owed: $5-$6 million for the rest of this season (guesstimate based on $12.5 million salary) $12.5 million for next season $1 million buy-out for 2006 season So, if the Rockies take on Conine's $3 million, AND agree to pay $9 million of his salary in 2005 (which is the deal they're reportedly wanting), Colorado is basically paying Walker's entire 2005 salary of $12 million. We would be getting Walker for free in 2005, and would only be on the hook for the $1 million 2006 buyout plus whatever he is owed this year. subtract what we already owe Conine for this year, and we're basically paying $4 million for 2 years of Admin Walker. That ain't so bad.
July 23, 200421 yr To all of you worried about the money involved in the Walker deal, here's some math i've done: Conine is owed: $1-$1.5 million for the rest of this season (guesstimate based on $3 million salary) $3 million for next season Walker is owed: $5-$6 million for the rest of this season (guesstimate based on $12.5 million salary) $12.5 million for next season $1 million buy-out for 2006 season So, if the Rockies take on Conine's $3 million, AND agree to pay $9 million of his salary in 2005 (which is the deal they're reportedly wanting), Colorado is basically paying Walker's entire 2005 salary of $12 million. We would be getting Walker for free in 2005, and would only be on the hook for the $1 million 2006 buyout plus whatever he is owed this year. subtract what we already owe Conine for this year, and we're basically paying $4 million for 2 years of Admin Walker. That ain't so bad. 471718[/snapback] Doesn't make any sense. Colorado would be paying very little of Walker contract if they take Conine, unless we unload our farm to the Rockies.
July 23, 200421 yr Author Doesn't make any sense. Colorado would be paying very little of Walker contract if they take Conine, unless we unload our farm to the Rockies. 471726[/snapback] right - there would also have to be prospects involved, too....i was just referring to cost.
July 23, 200421 yr Author also, let me add this - it's not lost on the Rockies that Walker has been injured for each of the last 3 seasons, and that the liklihood is very high that he will be hurt again before his contract is up at the end of next year. we'd be making a high-risk, high-reward investment here, that's why they're looking to deal him at a reasonable price.
July 23, 200421 yr I want Walker bad, but avoiding giving up Conine would be great. For all we know, he may retire this season and leave the $3 million on the table. He's not all about the money, plus he's really been getting down on himself lately. If he retired as a Marlin it would be great for the fans and Jeff. BTW, does anyone remember the 500+ foot homer Walker hit back in the day in PPS? It went straight to center, to the top of the blue seats. That was one of the top 5 things I've ever seen live.
July 23, 200421 yr Author What are Walker's numbers outside of Coors? 471729[/snapback] home: .343 BA, .465 OBP, 3 doubles, 2 homers, 6 RBI in 35 ABs away: .294 BA, .490 OBP, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 9 RBI in 34 ABs he's also stolen 2 bases since he got back.....
July 23, 200421 yr What are Walker's numbers outside of Coors? 471729[/snapback] home: .343 BA, .465 OBP, 3 doubles, 2 homers, 6 RBI in 35 ABs away: .294 BA, .490 OBP, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 9 RBI in 34 ABs he's also stolen 2 bases since he got back..... 471733[/snapback] I don't think it's fair to look at just 69 at bats. Let's look at what he's done over the past 3 years. (2001-2003) Home BA: .370 HR: 46 OBP: .469 SLG: .668 Away BA: .279 HR: 34 OBP: .392 SLG: .494 That slugging percentage kinda bothers me that's a huge dropoff. Either way he'd be an upgrade, but don't expect him to put up the numbers he did in Coors.
July 23, 200421 yr I want Walker bad, but avoiding giving up Conine would be great. For all we know, he may retire this season and leave the $3 million on the table. He's not all about the money, plus he's really been getting down on himself lately. If he retired as a Marlin it would be great for the fans and Jeff. BTW, does anyone remember the 500+ foot homer Walker hit back in the day in PPS? It went straight to center, to the top of the blue seats. That was one of the top 5 things I've ever seen live. 471732[/snapback] I agree. I think that Conine has to be kept for all the intangiable reasons.
July 23, 200421 yr walker>finley walker is a way better hitter and is a gold glove OFer...plus he wont complain about were he's put he just wants a ring and thats the kind of player we need right now...walker can piss over the RF fence at the pro...get Walker please...
July 23, 200421 yr If we trade Conine, we deal a big part of this team. Maybe not statistically but overall. I do not think we win the title without him.
July 23, 200421 yr I dont know what was up with Admin last year but he somewhat struggled. The year before that, he batted .338 (.362 at home, .312 on the road). I saw him play at Coors once before and he put on a show. He hit a HR and also made an amazing play in RF. I've always liked his game. If we can get him, put Cabs in LF, Walker in right and have a Choi/Conine platoon at first. Works out nice.
July 23, 200421 yr To all of you worried about the money involved in the Walker deal, here's some math i've done: Conine is owed: $1-$1.5 million for the rest of this season (guesstimate based on $3 million salary) $3 million for next season Walker is owed: $5-$6 million for the rest of this season (guesstimate based on $12.5 million salary) $12.5 million for next season $1 million buy-out for 2006 season So, if the Rockies take on Conine's $3 million, AND agree to pay $9 million of his salary in 2005 (which is the deal they're reportedly wanting), Colorado is basically paying Walker's entire 2005 salary of $12 million. We would be getting Walker for free in 2005, and would only be on the hook for the $1 million 2006 buyout plus whatever he is owed this year. subtract what we already owe Conine for this year, and we're basically paying $4 million for 2 years of Admin Walker. That ain't so bad. 471718[/snapback] i dont think what you are saying makes any sense if they take on conine's 3 mill for next season and 9 mill of walker's contract for next season they basically paying 12 mill for conine.....in that case the rockies would just keep walker.... what you just said will not happen, the deal will have to be different
July 23, 200421 yr Well I'd rather have Walker than Finley. Walker is a way better hitter and can play right field pretty good. I'd take the hall of famer....
July 23, 200421 yr Walker had a full season last year his numbers where worse than conines last year at coors field.
July 23, 200421 yr I thought the point of trading for Walker/Finely was to help the offense annd bench? What happens when Walker gets hurt? Do you really trust Willingham and Aguila or even WTFNUNEZ to lead us to the title? I don't expect Conine having a huge impact with his bat, but given Walker's history of injuries do we want to take such a risk? Good point. \/
July 23, 200421 yr I thought the point of trading for Walker/Finely was to help the offense annd bench? What if we trade Conine for Walker and Walker gets hurt? Do you really trust Willingham and Aguila or even WTFNUNEZ to lead us to the title. I don't expect Conine is going to have a huge impact with his bat, but given Walker's history of injuries do we want to take such a risk? 472042[/snapback] I think you mean "when" Walker gets hurt...
July 23, 200421 yr Losing Conine is not a big deal. Reality is we are a .500 team with Conine. Status Quo sucks. Conine has done very well in Coors, so it is a win win situation. Let's face it, we are in desperation mode. We can't pay 3,000,000 for Lenny Harris Part II.
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