Marlins eyeing Padres' White

 

By Mike Berardino

Staff Writer

Posted July 25 2003

 

Having upgraded their bullpen two weeks ago with the addition of Ugueth Urbina, the Marlins have turned their attention to left field.

 

"[The Marlins] are more concerned with finding another bat right now than another arm," a major league source said Thursday.

 

According to industry sources, the Marlins have renewed their interest in San Diego Padres outfielder Rondell White. White was on the Marlins' radar in mid-June before they decided to promote top prospect Miguel Cabrera from Double-A Carolina.

 

Cabrera hit his fifth homer Thursday in Atlanta, but he has struggled after a fast start. The 20-year-old Venezuelan fell into a 4-for-26 (.154) slide that earned him his first night off Tuesday.

 

White, 31, is owed about $1.9 million and can be a free agent at season's end. The Padres' only All-Star this year, White was hitting .277 with 16 homers and 54 RBI.

 

"Rondell makes a lot of sense for the Marlins," the source said, "and he's definitely available."

 

The Padres were uncertain whether to part with White in recent weeks, but the return of outfielder Phil Nevin from a shoulder injury forced highly regarded rookie Xavier Nady back to the minors this week. Dealing White would open up playing time for Nady.

 

San Diego also is reportedly involved in trade discussions for Pittsburgh outfielder Brian Giles and Cleveland outfielder Milton Bradley. Acquiring either player would make White more expendable.

 

Marlins management knows White well from its days in Montreal, having dealt him to the Chicago Cubs for left-hander Scott Downs in a deadline deal three years ago.

 

While the Marlins probably would prefer to build a deal around pitching prospects such as right-handers Blaine Neal and Justin Wayne, the Padres have long held interest in backup catcher Ramon Castro. Though he's just a third-stringer, Castro could assume a more significant role if starter Pudge Rodriguez leaves as a free agent this winter.

 

A Padres scout was in Orlando this week to watch Carolina.

 

Outfield options beyond White seem to have dwindled. Texas slugger Juan Gonzalez, who landed on the disabled list this week with a calf injury, remains unwilling to waive his no-trade clause for a National League team.

 

Cincinnati's Jose Guillen is having a career year, but his low salary has inflated the Reds' asking price. Plus, there are concerns about Guillen's attitude, which has been a problem in the past.

 

Milwaukee's John Vander Wal is available, but he isn't considered enough of an upgrade on Cabrera or Todd Hollandsworth, who lost his starting job to the rookie on June 20.

 

Pittsburgh's Reggie Sanders, making $1 million on a one-year contract, could be another low-cost option.

 

Marlins left fielders continue to rank near the bottom of the 16-team league in all key offensive categories, including batting average (14th), slugging (14th), RBI (15th), home runs (last) and on-base percentage (last).

Now we know for a FACT he's reading the boards...

Now we know for a FACT he's reading the boards...

lol, that's funny he just wrote what we've been saying for the last week.

lol, that's funny he just wrote what we've been saying for the last week.

I swear to you I wouldn't doubt if he was...

 

I was watching Outside the Lines the other night, and a guest speaking guy said that journalists that just cover certain teams usually do check out team boards to find opinions on issues, ect...

San Diego also is reportedly involved in trade discussions for Pittsburgh outfielder Brian Giles and Cleveland outfielder Milton Bradley. Acquiring either player would make White more expendable.

 

That's probably something/someone NOBODY thought of. If the Padres are after Milton Bradley, I bet you $1 Million we are too... :shifty

this article has already been posted..

That's probably something/someone NOBODY thought of. If the Padres are after Milton Bradley, I bet you $1 Million we are too... :shifty

good