By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. ? A.J. Burnett was just being a wiseguy last week when he said, after correctly predicting that Carl Pavano wouldn't play for the Marlins next year, "Maybe I'll be gone, too."

 

As baseball's winter meetings ended Monday, Burnett's name was generating considerable buzz.

 

Although no deals are close, the Marlins have spoken with seven teams interested in the right-hander: the Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles.

 

By telling teams Burnett is available, the Marlins, whether intentionally or not, are creating a market for him that could drive up his value. Florida benefits from the buzz because the team will send Burnett to the club offering the best package.

 

One proposal involving the Red Sox had right-hander Bronson Arroyo coming to Florida, with Burnett helping fill a rotation void with Pedro Martinez's departure for the New York Mets.

 

And there was more talk Monday morning of a potential three-team deal that would send Burnett to the Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson to the Yankees and Javier Vazquez to Florida. The Marlins also would get reliever Steve Karsay and $10.5 million from the Yankees.

 

If that doesn't happen, the Yankees and Diamondbacks still could pursue Burnett with independent deals. Arizona sees Burnett as a more affordable option than free agent right-hander Matt Clement.

 

The Marlins spent time Sunday with A's officials for what was thought to be a possible deal that would send Tim Hudson to Florida.

 

But the buzz Monday morning had the A's interested in Burnett, with Oakland possibly sending Hudson to Arizona.

 

Oakland needs a power-hitting outfielder, and the Marlins could package Burnett with right fielder Juan Encarnacion. The Marlins then could try to sign free-agent outfielder David Dellucci, who wants regular playing time next year.

 

"We'll leave here with some new ideas that we'll follow up on," Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest said. "I don't know if anything is going to come of it. We're open to looking at some of the things that were presented to us. I would not characterize anything as close, imminent or otherwise."

 

Burnett, who made $2.5 million in 2004, is in his last year of arbitration before becoming a free agent after the 2005 season. He does not expect the Marlins to keep him off the free-agent market by offering him a long-term contract this winter.

 

"I certainly have a sense that he could be traded," Darek Braunecker, Burnett's agent, said. "Whether or not that's to transpire, I don't know. At this point, with guys like him in their final year of a contract or a year from free agency, it's not uncommon for them to be moved."

 

Jones deal finalized: Right-hander Todd Jones, 36, passed his physical and will join the Marlins' bullpen next season, finalizing a $1.1 million contract.

 

The Marlins also have reached a preliminary agreement with right-hander Antonio Alfonseca, a deal that will be finalized once he passes a physical.

 

Rosenthal reassigned: Former Marlins pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal, who was fired Oct. 2, will go back to being the organization's pitching coordinator, the job he held until May 2003 when he became pitching coach.

 

Marlins acquire pitcher: The Marlins added left-hander Luke Hagerty to their 40-man roster, acquiring him from Baltimore in a trade for a player to be determined after the Orioles selected him in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Hagerty, who is 6-feet-7, was a highly regarded prospect before he underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2003. The Marlins see him as a potential piece to their bullpen next season.

 

"We'll bring him into camp and take a look," Beinfest said. "This is a big left-hander with a big upside."

 

C/O Palm Beach Post

Isn't the Rosenthal reassignment old news? I thought he accepted a few weeks ago.

something will go down the waiting is the hardest part :banghead

Another article, from the Sun Sentinel:

 

Marlins test trade waters with Burnett

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted December 14 2004

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Marlins were prepared to make a three-year, $21 million commitment to free agent starter Carl Pavano, but with A.J. Burnett barreling toward free agency next season, they have made no indication they'd present him with a multi-year proposal.

 

Marlins front office officials departed the winter meetings on Monday with a good sense of what Burnett would bring back in a trade, butwithout first ascertaining what it would take to keep him beyond 2005.

 

The two sides have not spoken of a multi-year arrangement since before Burnett's arbitration hearing in 2002. Darek Braunecker, Burnett's representative, told the Marlins at the time his client would welcome such overtures. The Marlins passed, which in hindsight was a good decision considering Burnett missed a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

 

Though Burnett came back as good as ever, the Marlins might still be weary of a long-term commitment.

 

Burnett might have similar reservations after watching Pavano go through the free agency process. Pavano was among the most sought-after pitchers and is closing in a four-year, $42 million deal with the Yankees.

 

Along with Tim Hudson and Randy Johnson, Burnett would likely rank among the most desirable free agent starters next offseason if healthy. Johnson would likely reach accord on an extension with his new team if the Diamondbacks trade him.

 

The Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers and Orioles are among the teams that spoke with the Marlins about Burnett.

 

"I don't know that anything is going to come of it, but we're open to looking at some of the things that were presented to us," said general manager Admin Beinfest, speaking in general terms. "I would not characterize anything as close, imminent or otherwise."

 

Rule 5 draft

 

Though the Marlins did not make any selections in the major league phase of Monday's Rule 5 Draft, the Orioles made one for them.

 

Baltimore selected 6-7 left-hander Luke Hagerty from the Triple-A Iowa Cubs' roster and later traded him to the Marlins for a player to be named. Hagerty missed 2003 recovering from Tommy John surgery and appeared in four games (three starts) for Class A Boise last season. He is a former first-round pick (32nd overall in 2002) out of Ball State.

 

"We'll bring him into camp and take a look," Beinfest said. "This is a big left-hander with big upside and we thought it was an opportunity we wanted to take. ... We had the Orioles do it just to make sure he was there for us."

 

The Marlins must keep Hagerty on the 25-man roster or the disabled list all season, or offer him back to the Cubs for half of the $50,000 selection price.

 

In the draft's Double-A phase, the Marlins lost four players from their Carolina Mudcats roster: right-handers Victor Prieto (Nationals) and Ryan Warpinski (White Sox), outfielder Travis Ezi (Cubs), and infielder Matt Demarco (Cardinals).

 

The Mudcats' roster did not shrink. The Marlins added four players, including right-hander Rodrigo Rosario from the Astros organization. Rosario did not pitch last season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum, rotator cuff, and biceps tendon. He owns a 3.24 career ERA in 129 games, including two with the Astros in 2003.

 

"We have a strong indication that he's not only healthy but throwing very well and we thought it was worth the risk," said Jim Fleming, the Marlins' vice president of scouting and player development.

 

The Marlins also selected left-hander Luke Lockwood (Washington), right-hander Josh Teekel (Cardinals), and outfielder Alejandro De Aza (Dodgers). Including Rosario, who is throwing bullpens and should be 100 percent by spring training, all were added to the Triple-A Albuquerque roster.

 

Washington selected Class A Jupiter Hammerheads outfielder Jim Kavourias in the Double-A phase.

 

It's official

 

The Marlins announced the signing of free agent reliever Todd Jones on Monday. The two sides reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year, $1.1 million deal last week contingent on Jones passing a physical.

 

As early as today, the Marlins will officially ink Antonio Alfonseca, who agreed to a two-year contract last week and underwent his physical Monday.

 

Juan C. Rodriguez can be reached at jcrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com.

 

 

C/O Sun Sentinel

You know, it kinda irks me that the FO doesn't even want to talk to AJ about a multi-year deal. Who is it again that doesn't want to be in same place with the other next season?

Hudson News:

The Braves are still trying to trade for Tim Hudson without using Marcus Giles, and two rival teams pegged them as the favorites.

 

If Giles isn't an option, the A's would probably have to get Jeff Francoeur, Dan Meyer and maybe Juan Cruz or a lesser pitching prospect. Andy Marte, Atlanta's top prospect, probably isn't in play since he's a third baseman.

With the A's still asking for Erik Bedard, Hayden Penn and John Maine, the Orioles believe they're longshots in their pursuit of Tim Hudson.

 

According to the Baltimore Sun, Orioles officials left the winter meetings believing the Braves were the favorite to land Hudson, with the Dodgers close behind.

Leo Mazzone and Tim Hudson is an absolutely scary proposition. Do we really have to play the Braves 19 times per year?

 

One proposal involving the Red Sox had right-hander Bronson Arroyo coming to Florida, with Burnett helping fill a rotation void with Pedro Martinez's departure for the New York Mets.

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No! This would be a terrible trade. AJ >>> Arroyo

 

And there was more talk Monday morning of a potential three-team deal that would send Burnett to the Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson to the Yankees and Javier Vazquez to Florida. The Marlins also would get reliever Steve Karsay and $10.5 million from the Yankees.

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This would be a great trade for us. :thumbup

You know, it kinda irks me that the FO doesn't even want to talk to AJ about a multi-year deal. Who is it again that doesn't want to be in same place with the other next season?

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The main question with AJ is always going to be his health. Until he proves he can make it through a full season healthy, i'd be reluctant to offer him a multi-year deal too. The Marlins just can afford to absorb that kind of loss.

 

It would be one thing if he were willing to take something in the 3 year $21 million range, but you have to believe that he is looking at what Pavano is getting. No way he'd accept that type of deal right now.

Leo Mazzone and Tim Hudson is an absolutely scary proposition. Do we really have to play the Braves 19 times per year?

 

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Hudson and Pedro in our division? Forget about it.

Even if the Braves were to get Hudson by some turn of events they would never be able to sign him to a contract after 2005 when they start picking up 100% of Hampton's ludicrous contract. They owe him $43 million for 2006-2007-2008.

 

Hudson isn't a reclamation project or someone who needs guidance from Mazzone. How much better do you think he can become, really, the guy is already one of the best out there.

You know, it kinda irks me that the FO doesn't even want to talk to AJ about a multi-year deal. Who is it again that doesn't want to be in same place with the other next season?

634835[/snapback]

 

The main question with AJ is always going to be his health. Until he proves he can make it through a full season healthy, i'd be reluctant to offer him a multi-year deal too. The Marlins just can afford to absorb that kind of loss.

 

It would be one thing if he were willing to take something in the 3 year $21 million range, but you have to believe that he is looking at what Pavano is getting. No way he'd accept that type of deal right now.

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So is the case with any pitcher. Pedro's walking around with a torn labrum (you couldn't even get an insurance policy on his right shoulder) and he gets big-bucks. We have to try to lock AJ up while there are still serious health concerns. I'm not saying give him a 5 year deal, but sign him to a three year deal that would essentially be a two year extension and know that we'd still have Beckett and Burnett through 2007. Then the new stadium comes and we'd have a top-2 to build a dynasty around.

 

Gotta act now instead of waiting until the end of the year...it's a gamble, but small market teams have to make cost effective gambles. Remember, AJ won't get more than $8 mil a season as long as he's still in the Kris Benson "talented but inconsistent" class.

Rosenthal reassigned: Former Marlins pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal, who was fired Oct. 2, will go back to being the organization's pitching coordinator, the job he held until May 2003 when he became pitching coach.

 

Well, at least Rosey is still in the organization.

And there was more talk Monday morning of a potential three-team deal that would send Burnett to the Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson to the Yankees and Javier Vazquez to Florida. The Marlins also would get reliever Steve Karsay and $10.5 million from the Yankees.

 

Right thurrr

I hope that the FO tries to resign AJ to a multi year NOW. He won't be back via FA next year.

 

If they can't, then they should try to trade him for Vazquez. No other deal seems good to me. Why get another pitcher like Hudson with a one year deal?

 

If no Vazquez, ride AJ for one year. He will be very hungry and with a lot to prove in order to cash in the big bucks in 2006.

What gives you the impression A.J. would forego the chance at becoming a free agent to re-sign here?

 

Even he if gets injured or has a substandard year, his talent will earn him $4M per year and a ticket out of town.

What gives you the impression A.J. would forego the chance at becoming a free agent to re-sign here?

 

Money. A chance to secure his financial future.

 

4mil a year injured? depends on the type of injury.

He's already made his millions. Sure, he could make more, but I think he'd rather play in a 'real baseball town' with another front office and another set of fans.

If no Vazquez, ride AJ for one year. He will be very hungry and with a lot to prove in order to cash in the big bucks in 2006.

 

 

Very true.

 

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