As Carl Pavano prepares to embark on a continental tour that could stretch into January, the Marlins are compiling a list of fallback options should their top starting pitcher leave via free agency.

 

From early indications, however, the list isn't very long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left-hander Glendon Rusch is the only free-agent starter in whom the Marlins have definitely expressed interest. Rusch, 30, went 6-2 with a 3.47 ERA last season in 32 outings (16 starts) for the Chicago Cubs.

 

Rusch went a combined 11-28 in his two previous seasons, both in Milwaukee, but bounced back in 2003 in a swing role. He posted a 2.95 ERA in his final seven starts over the last three months and held left-handed batters to a .225 average overall.

 

However, at least eight clubs have contacted his agent, Tommy Tanzer, to express interest in Rusch. The Cubs are among them.

 

There may also be mutual interest between the Marlins and veteran right-hander Jon Lieber. The Yankees bought out Lieber's $8 million option for 2005, but they may try to re-sign the 34-year-old who has a handful of other suitors.

 

"Jon is looking obviously for a competitive club," said Rex Gary, one of Lieber's agents. "Clearly the Marlins are a competitive club, one year removed from a World Series and with a clear shot to get back there. They have a good defensive club, a good offensive club, and I'm sure Jon would do very well there."

 

Lieber, who returned in May from reconstructive elbow surgery, went 14-8 during the regular season then posted a 3.43 ERA in three playoff starts.

 

More revealing, perhaps, is the list of seemingly affordable starters the Marlins have not contacted so far. Among them are Russ Ortiz, Esteban Loaiza, Woody Williams, Orlando Hernandez, Jose Lima, Elmer Dessens and Dennys Reyes.

 

Pavano, who visits Boston today, is weighing offers from the Marlins and Phillies. The Marlins offered $21 million over three years, but whether they would be willing to spend that same $21 million on a different starting pitcher is unclear.

 

Joe Klein, Lima's agent, said about six clubs had called about his client. Klein said he hoped the Marlins would call because "it would be a good place for [Lima] to play."

 

Ortiz, whose 77 wins over the past 4? seasons rank behind only Curt Schilling (81), isn't expected to return to the Braves. About 10 teams have inquired about Ortiz, and a couple made offers.

 

While compensation issues have many teams, including the Marlins, waiting until after the Dec. 7 deadline for offering arbitration, most clubs at least let agents know of their potential interest by this stage. The Marlins, who draft 16th overall next June, have no plans to forfeit a first-round pick.

 

That's one reason they have yet to offer a contract to former Marlins closer Antonio Alfonseca, who has heard from them and eight other teams. With 121 career saves, Alfonseca could provide a safety net in case designated closer Guillermo Mota struggles.

 

NOT QUITE

 

The Marlins have made a one-year offer in the $400,000 range to free-agent reliever Rudy Seanez. While the proposal includes some incentive clauses, it was not competitive with at least two other offers Seanez has received, including one from his home-area Padres. ...

 

The Marlins are expected to add several prospects to their 40-man roster by Friday's deadline. Among them are Double-A first baseman Jason Stokes and closer Randy Messenger, and Class A right-handers Yorman Bazardo and Chris Resop. Pitchers Allen Baxter and Jeff Fulchino are other possibilities. ...

 

Among the free-agent relievers the Marlins have not yet contacted are Matt Mantei, Chris Hammond, Jay Powell, Bob Wickman, Al Levine, Mike DeJean, Dave Burba, Gabe White and Rheal Cormier. ...

 

Despite an ESPN.com prediction free-agent slugger Carlos Delgado would end up with the Marlins, his Coral Springs-based agent David Sloane said he had not heard from the team.

 

I don't like reading all this stuff about people we're not getting. I don't like Rusch. I'd love to get Lieber and Lima maybe. Please tell me this is a smoke screen and that something good is coming soon.

I would LOVE to have Lima as a Marlin!

What's the source?

The source is "the most hated baseball writer in town" ring a bell

Lieber is a name that will be in news soon

The source is "the most hated baseball writer in town" ring a bell

 

*ding!*

 

It's Mike Berardino.

If we lose Pavs, then we should sign 1 SP and 1 spot starter. I would love to get Lieber and Orlando Hernandez here. Look at Hernandez's stats last year! We could have easily signed him instead of that trash Darren Oliver. Orlando would be a good #5 in Miami. Lima would be my 3rd favorite.

The source is "the most hated baseball writer in town" ring a bell

616921[/snapback]

 

You betcha ! :thumbup

there is not much mid level reasonably priced talent out there via FA.

 

Our starting pitching is in trouble for next year, since I think Carl is not coming back.

I like that they're looking at Glendon Rusch and Jon Lieber, but I'm not going to cry over the Marlins ignoring this group: "Russ Ortiz, Esteban Loaiza, Woody Williams, Orlando Hernandez, Jose Lima, Elmer Dessens and Dennys Reyes." Now, if they're not even trying to get Matt Clement or Odalis Perez, then that's another story.

there is not much mid level reasonably priced talent out there via FA.

 

 

I think Woody Williams, Rusch, Loaiza, Paul Byrd, and El Duque will be signed at reasonable prices. There are just so many quality pitchers available this year, I think the Marlins can fill 2 rotation slots with 1 good pitcher & 1 quality pitcher.

I really like Lieber and Hernandez coming here. Not only are they good pitchers but they also bring some vetern leadership, but Lima is by far my favorite, I know he gives up a ton of homeruns but you get a soild pitcher that is a former 20 game winner and you also get a great club house guy.

I really like Lieber and Hernandez coming here. Not only are they good pitchers but they also bring some vetern leadership, but Lima is by far my favorite, I know he gives up a ton of homeruns but you get a soild pitcher that is a former 20 game winner and you also get a great club house guy.

616959[/snapback]

i agree,i think Lima would fit in perfect around here...but i think Beckett and Burnett wouldnt want him around cause he takes up alot of attention and we all know that they want it all...

I wouldnt mind bring matt clement back, but I am sure he will want a nice amount. Lieber and Loiza would be worth the risk

Give Clement the 4/32.. He's good.

Give Clement the 4/32.. He's good.

617004[/snapback]

No Thank You.

there is not much mid level reasonably priced talent out there via FA.

 

 

I think Woody Williams, Rusch, Loaiza, Paul Byrd, and El Duque will be signed at reasonable prices. There are just so many quality pitchers available this year, I think the Marlins can fill 2 rotation slots with 1 good pitcher & 1 quality pitcher.

616957[/snapback]

 

I was wrong, that's a very decent list. I hope the Marlins move quickly before others show up early to the table.

Give Clement the 4/32.. He's good.

617004[/snapback]

No Thank You.

617005[/snapback]

I wasn't asking you dolt.

 

Clement was damn near unhittable the first half of the season before his back acted up toward the end of the year. If he didn't have the worst run support in baseball, he probably would have had near 20 wins.

 

It's also widely known that he has one of the top sliders in baseball and some of the best movement of his pitches in baseball. I watched a lot of Cubs games last year and it baffles me he isn't mentioned as one of the top free agent pitchers in baseball this year.

 

 

and fwiw, I'd take him in a heartbeat over all these other pudwacks listed.. like Ortiz, Loiaza, Lima, Williams, Lieber, etc.

From what I recall when we traded Clement and Alfonseca to the Cubs, Clement was extremely pissed at managment. I don't think he is a big fan of Loria/Samson/Beinfest.

Rusch sucks. I think bringing Darren Oliver back would be smarter than signing him.

Gimme Limatime/El Duque/Big O please

Yeah, that Rusch idea is horrible... on the other hand, any combination of Orlando Hernandez, Jose Lima, Lieber, Woody Williams would be insane... add them to the marlins staff... we could rival the cubs for best overall easily... but the trick is to make it worth more to them to come here than anywhere else... and for some reason or another... something always screws us up... we never seem to pull the trigger, at least until the Lo Duca trade... maybe thats a positive sign.

I don't think getting el Duque is a good idea because he is not reliable due to his health. I'd rather have the Marls get Ortiz, who can get a lot of innings and while not as good in terms of talent, is consistent.

well... I do agree El Duque is an injury risk, but so many pitchers really are these days... and honestly, how bad could it be if Duque were say, a 4th or 5th starter... with his ability, and usually pitching against other teams 4ths and 5ths... he could rack up some numbers...

I have no problem with el Duque's talent or productivity, but in the back end of the rotation I'd rather have someone more durable, considering that Beckett hasn't had a full season, and AJ's still not far removed from his injury.