December 16, 200421 yr from the Sun-Sentinel: "Burnett may be bait for Hudson" Burnett may be bait for Hudson By Juan C. Rodriguez Staff Writer Posted December 16 2004 If Tim Hudson does not open the season in the Marlins rotation, A.J. Burnett will. According to teams that have spoken with the Marlins, they are interested in trading Burnett only if they can acquire Hudson from the Oakland Athletics. The Marlins are exploring various multiteam scenarios in which they would move Burnett to a club that would in turn ship players to the Athletics. "At this point, it's no more than talks," said one baseball official familiar with the discussions. The Marlins were approached during the winter meetings about Burnett, who has one more year of arbitration before qualifying for free agency. Once word spread that the Marlins were receptive to offers, five other teams expressed interest. Like Burnett, Hudson is eligible for free agency after 2005. He has said that if an extension with the Athletics isn't in place by March 1, he will play out the season and file for free agency. An Auburn product and resident of Apollo Beach, south of Tampa, Hudson's suitors include the Braves, Red Sox, Dodgers and Orioles. If none of those teams can strike a deal directly with the Athletics, that's where Burnett comes into the equation. The Red Sox and Orioles are among the clubs that spoke with the Marlins about Burnett. If Hudson is beyond their reach, perhaps they would take Burnett and send players to the Athletics in a three-way deal. After acquiring second baseman Keith Ginter from the Brewers on Wednesday, the Athletics now require a starter and a reliever as part of a package for Hudson. The Athletics wouldn't be interested in Burnett because they likely would lose him after one season. They covet right-hander Erik Bedard, who the Orioles might be more willing to move if they were granted a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Hudson. Athletics General Manager Billy Beane would not accommodate that request, but the Marlins might not object with Burnett. If the Orioles came to terms with Burnett on a multi-year deal, they would be more inclined to move Bedard and other players to the Athletics, who would send Hudson to Florida. Such a scenario requires the Marlins to part with some prospects as well. The only one considered untouchable is outfielder Jeremy Hermida. If Hudson ends up elsewhere, the Marlins are prepared to start the season with Burnett in the rotation. "There are worse things than having A.J. as your No. 1 starter," said one National League talent evaluator who has spoken with the Marlins, adding they might entertain multi-year opportunities with Burnett once they have exhausted their pursuit of Hudson. CATCHING ON The Marlins are discussing a multiyear contract with arbitration-eligible catcher Paul Lo Duca. Though they gave brief consideration to jettisoned left-handed hitting Giants catcher A.J. Pierzynski, they have reservations about his defense. They are both studs, but Hudson is definitely an upgrade over Burnett. Hudson is simply dominant. I'd hate to see AJ go though. I'm torn.
December 16, 200421 yr I guess Rodriguez read the same Baltimore Sun article I did. 636204[/snapback] hahaha... It does seem speculative at this point. No smoke here, yet. I mean, we know what the Baltimore papers did last year, right? And I dont buy this BS about us throwing in AJ AND a prospect. Screw that, Burnett for Hudson straight up.
December 16, 200421 yr If any of it's true I suspect Admin Beinfest will play the game the same way Billy beane is and want MORE for AJ than just Hudson, a prospect, a reliever, etc. He's not going to give up AJ for one player so the other guy can wind up with multiple players, that's for sure.
December 16, 200421 yr Youve gotta think the Marlins either sign Hudson now or are willing to go full after him next offseason with a stadium deal in place if they are going to give up a prospect and AJ in trying to get him.
December 16, 200421 yr awesome news, if it's true... would be happy to have either of those guys suit up for the fish in '05
December 16, 200421 yr The marlins have a better chance of resigning AJ. Hudson wants about $14 million for 4 years. :o
December 16, 200421 yr I guess Rodriguez read the same Baltimore Sun article I did. 636204[/snapback] I guess I'm not the only one with that idea :whistle
December 16, 200421 yr The marlins have a better chance of resigning AJ. Hudson wants about $14 million for 4 years. :o 636280[/snapback] Doable. Hampton's contract is coming off the books.
December 16, 200421 yr The marlins have a better chance of resigning AJ. Hudson wants about $14 million for 4 years. :o 636280[/snapback] If by $14 mil for years, you mean 3.5 mil a year, then holy s***, he's cheap. However, if you mean 14 mil a year.... oy....
December 16, 200421 yr The marlins have a better chance of resigning AJ. Hudson wants about $14 million for 4 years. :o 636280[/snapback] Doable. Hampton's contract is coming off the books. 636291[/snapback] Are you crazy? We couldn't even resign Pavano, a career .500 pitcher. Now you think we can resign one of the winningest pitchers in the past 10 years? I like one year rentals as much as the next guy but let's face facts, a trade for Vasquez is a smarter option considering he's locked up for the next few years. A trade for Hudson will result in the same thing at the end of 2005; an empty spot in the rotation.
December 16, 200421 yr The marlins have a better chance of resigning AJ. Hudson wants about $14 million for 4 years. :o 636280[/snapback] Yeah but couldn't we afford Hudson because Pudge and Hampton's contracts come off the books? I could be wrong.
December 16, 200421 yr The marlins have a better chance of resigning AJ.? Hudson wants about $14 million for 4 years.? :o 636280[/snapback] Yeah but couldn't we afford Hudson because Pudge and Hampton's contracts come off the books? I could be wrong. 636345[/snapback] I would hate spending that much money on one pitcher, even if it is Hudson. $14mil per season could be used to bring 2 great players in.... If we can get Burnett to sign a multi year deal, we should be able to sign for less than that, leaving us some more cash to get someone else.... I guess this is a good problem to have though... How to spend money we will actually have....
December 16, 200421 yr Is Hudson that much better than Burnett? 636353[/snapback] just take a look at the career numbers.... AJ Burnett Tim Hudson AJ and our FO dont mesh well, meanwhile Huddie doesnt know our FO yet... so thats a +
December 16, 200421 yr ok, i understand that Hudson is a better pitcher than Burnett....but can someone explain to me how it makes sense to trade one pitcher who will leave the team after this year to be a free agent in exchange for another pitcher who will leave this team and become a free agent, AND throw some prospects in to boot?
December 16, 200421 yr CAREER NUMBERS! AJ Burnett (37-38) 3.83 ERA Tim Hudson (92-39) 3.30 ERA If you throw in AJ's injury history and his bad attitude, I would try to get Hudson. Hudson is a huge upgrade and the NL has never seen him before!
December 16, 200421 yr ya, but can we keep him? If we are going to trade prospects for a player we are going to lose, we might as well trade more prospects and keep burnett. And then just have an awesome rotation for a year
December 16, 200421 yr ok, i understand that Hudson is a better pitcher than Burnett....but can someone explain to me how it makes sense to trade one pitcher who will leave the team after this year to be a free agent in exchange for another pitcher who will leave this team and become a free agent, AND throw some prospects in to boot? 636371[/snapback] YES, the FO feels they have a better shot at signing Hudson, then a guy(AJ) who has openly stated he doesn't enjoy pitching in front of an empty stadium. And the minute he become a free agent he's out here. Hudson is a southern boy, who would like nothing more than to pitch in the south ( Atlanta, Florida) Believe he'll try to get something done with the Marlins , if traded here
December 16, 200421 yr ok, i understand that Hudson is a better pitcher than Burnett....but can someone explain to me how it makes sense to trade one pitcher who will leave the team after this year to be a free agent in exchange for another pitcher who will leave this team and become a free agent, AND throw some prospects in to boot? 636371[/snapback] YES, the FO feels they have a better shot at signing Hudson, then a guy(AJ) who has openly stated he doesn't enjoy pitching in front of an empty stadium. And the minute he become a free agent he's out here. Hudson is a southern boy, who would like nothing more than to pitch in the south ( Atlanta, Florida) Believe he'll try to get something done with the Marlins , if traded here 636383[/snapback] Exactly...I don't know if Hudson would sign long term with us but I know about 95% that AJ will leave next year. Lets get an all-star for him like Hudson!
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