Miami Herald

 

Marlins, Orioles talking trade involving Burnett

 

By CLARK SPENCER

 

Miami Herald

 

PHILADELPHIA - Talks between the Marlins and Orioles are intensifying about a proposed trade that would send pitcher A.J. Burnett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Baltimore.

 

``They're getting closer,'' said a major-league source with knowledge of the discussions.

 

While more than a six teams have shown interest in Burnett, the Orioles might present the Marlins with the best opportunity to unload Lowell, who has been mired in a prolonged slump and is owed $18 million in the next two seasons.

 

Under the latest proposal involving Baltimore, the Marlins likely would receive reliever Jorge Julio, right-handed pitching prospect Hayden Penn, outfielder Admin Bigbie and lefty reliever Steve Kline. The Marlins could also throw in minor-league outfielder Eric Reed in the deal.

 

There's an outside chance the Orioles would give up veteran right-hander Sidney Ponson instead of Penn, a 20-year-old who went 2-2 with a 6.75 starts in seven starts for Baltimore earlier in the season but is now playing at Double A Bowie.

 

Ponson, however, is earning $8.5 million this season and is due to make $11 million next year. He also carries some personal baggage. Police detained Ponson for 11 days in his native Aruba during the winter on assault charges that were later dismissed. Ponson also has a DUI case pending in Florida, which will be heard after the season.

 

If the Marlins trade Lowell, they would move Miguel Cabrera to third base, the position where he feels most comfortable. They also would lose Lowell's contract, which could free up money to spend on an outfielder, as both Juan Encarnacion and Jeff Conine are free agents after the season.

 

The Orioles, if they obtained him, have discussed moving Lowell to first base to shore up that position defensively.

 

INJURY CONCERN

 

Cubs rookie outfielder Adam Greenberg, who was hit on the helmet by a Valerio De Los Santos pitch last Saturday at Dolphins Stadium, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a concussion.

 

And nobody feels worse about it than De Los Santos.

 

De Los Santos twice phoned over to the Cubs' clubhouse to check on Greenberg and waited outside to meet the player and his mother. It was not only Greenberg's first major-league at-bat, but also the first pitch.

 

``I want to know how he's doing every day, because it's terrible,'' De Los Santos said.

 

TIGHT-LIPPED

 

First baseman Carlos Delgado had his left hand wrapped in ice several hours before Friday's game but refused to provide details.

 

Asked what was wrong with his hand, Delgado replied: ``Nothing.''

 

Delgado started Friday and delivered a RBI double in the third inning.

 

BECKETT UPDATE

 

Josh Beckett said he's optimistic he'll be able to come off the disabled list and make his next start July 23 in San Francisco.

 

Beckett played long toss Friday and said the strained abdominal muscle that forced him onto the DL feels better at this stage than a similar injury he sustained last season. Beckett was out for 17 days between starts last season because of a left intercostal strain.

puke

puke

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i believe that is the appropriate response.

Oh god no.

I think we can do better than this.

I think Penn is overrated and Kline has allowed 21 walks in 32 IP with a high ERA.

 

Kline is no better than DeLosSantos.

 

Ponson, like Everett and Milton Bradley, is a headcase who is DECLINING.

 

Julio is the best piece of the trade and Bigbie is no better than a #4 OF.

 

I like Julio but if we cant get Daniel Cabrera too then I say screw Baltimore and trade AJ elsewhere.

the only thing this accomplishes is getting rid of lowells contract. NOTHING else... because it won't make us better this year. i dont like it

Beinfest isn't that stupid is he?? :confused

That deal sucks, plain and simple. I'll take that Toronto deal instead.

maybe this deal helps Toronto pony up more faster???

Don't write off Hayden Penn, he was their best prospect, and he'd be available to us for 6 more years on the cheap.

 

Bigbie... Julio... Kline... Ponson :confused

I want cabrera

On the R.C. Collins Blowsameter: pppphhhhhhffffff

Im not happy about the deal but if we get Ponson instead of Penn I want Beinfest fired on the spot. I'll do Lowell for Kline just to get rid of salary. But Bigbie and Julio either suck or are overrated. Penn got hit hard today as well in AA I think this is the 3 straight start where hitters have touched him up. He's ERA is over 4 now at AA.

 

I sure hope Boston or the White Sox step in and stop this from happening. This will also be the 2nd time the O's rape us in a trade during the Beinfest era. Only last time we won a championship. For that deal I rather just get draft picks for Burnett.

Lame Lame Lame Lame Lame

...go for the Jays, Admin.

I didn't come out and say before but I'll say it now...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That deal sucks. :thumbdown

Horrible.

 

Unless the deal includes Daniel Cabrera and/or Mora, it doesn't matter what they throw in.

I think Penn is overrated and Kline has allowed 21 walks in 32 IP with a high ERA.

 

Kline is no better than DeLosSantos.

 

Ponson, like Everett and Milton Bradley, is a headcase who is DECLINING.

 

Julio is the best piece of the trade and Bigbie is no better than a #4 OF.

 

I like Julio but if we cant get Daniel Cabrera too then I say screw Baltimore and trade AJ elsewhere.

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I don't know how you throw Milton Bradley into that group, he may be a headache but he's hardly declining, which is the word you emphasied.

 

And as for a trade with the Orioles, I have to admit neither Penn nor Ponson do much for me, , if we have much say in the matter, and I think we do, the better lefty outfielder would be Gibbons not Bigbie who brings less to the table than Gibbons by almost every offensive benchmark.

I think it's a terrible trade even with Cabrera. The O's just don't have the talent. We are better off keeping Burnett and losing him for draft picks.

 

This deal is a garbage truck; we would be getting a slew of mediocre players for one good one. The objective is to consolidate talent in a few players and build around them, not take multiple mediocre parts. Not surprisingly, I feel the same about this potential trade as the Penny one last year.

I think it's a terrible trade even with Cabrera. The O's just don't have the talent. We are better off keeping Burnett and losing him for draft picks.

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I couldn't agree more. :thumbup

Can someone please explain to me why trading Burnett is such a bad thing? He's a .500 pitcher and that's about all. Does he have great stuff? Sure but obviously thats not enough. He has no heart and absolutely no competitive spirt. I say trade him for as much as you can get and take your chances with the young lefties and Valdez.

from the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5071502092.html

ORIOLES NOTEBOOK

Trade Talks Hasten for A.J. Burnett

 

By Jorge Arangure Jr.

Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, July 16, 2005; Page E06

 

SEATTLE, July 15 -- The Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins have accelerated trade talks for pitcher A.J. Burnett, according to several baseball sources. One baseball source said Burnett has pitched his last game as a Marlin and that Baltimore may be the favorite to land the 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander by the end of the weekend.

 

Burnett would be a major addition to Baltimore's pitching staff that will also add Erik Bedard, who has been on the disabled list since May 26, on Monday. Burnett, 28, is 5-6 with a 3.64 ERA for the Marlins and is a free agent at the end of the year. To land Burnett, Baltimore likely will ask for a negotiating window to sign him to an extension. Burnett, whose wife is from the Baltimore area, is open to signing a long-term deal with the Orioles. But the Orioles have yet to start negotiating with Burnett.

 

In return the Orioles likely will give up reliever Jorge Julio, pitcher Hayden Penn and outfielder Admin Bigbie. Florida also would include either outfielder Juan Encarnacion (.282, 11 home runs, 49 RBI) or third baseman Mike Lowell (.228, 4, 36), who would play first base for the Orioles. The Orioles appear to favor Encarnacion but may get stuck with Lowell, who is making $7.5 million this season and is signed for next season as well. Encarnacion is a free agent at the end of the season and likely would take Bigbie's place in the outfield.

 

Florida had insisted that Daniel Cabrera be included in the deal, but the Orioles resisted. Florida pitching coach Mark Wiley, who was Baltimore's pitching coach from 2001 to 2004, covets Julio. . . . Manager Lee Mazzilli said that catcher Geronimo Gil, who has been on the disabled list since July 3 with an injured left thumb, won't come off the disabled list when he is eligible on Tuesday.

IMO getting rid of Lowell would be a big mistake, the potential is there for a great hitter in the lineup. I would much rather get rid of Enc.

i actually favor this deal if we get penn in the deal...he has amazing raw stuff and what the marlins have done with young pitching, i say lets pull the deal...i saw penn pitch against the red sox which contributes to the high era...and bigbie would be solid coming off the bench as a lefty bat...so i say goodbye and good luck to burnett and lowell and save us alot of money...if they want us to take ponson, deal is off though and lets look at toronto again...riccardi's uncle plays golf where i used to work at pleasant valley country club although the 90 year old didnt have much to say on whether a trade was likely or not...anyways...im going to a my cousin jeff locke's game today...the marlins called him and said they were sending a scout so hopefully ill get to talk to him which would be very cool...