Deal in the works?

By TOM D'ANGELO

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

 

PHOENIX ? Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett said Monday he expects to be traded before his scheduled start tonight.

 

Sources close to the talks indicate a deal, likely with Baltimore, is nearing completion, although a three-way trade between the Marlins, Orioles and Pirates surfaced late Monday.

 

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In the three-way deal, the Marlins would acquire pitcher Mark Redman from Pittsburgh, along with Orioles pitchers Hayden Penn and Jorge Julio and outfielder Admin Bigbie. In return, the Marlins would send Burnett to Baltimore and Mike Lowell to Pittsburgh.

 

Burnett was asked Monday if he thought he'd be a member of the Marlins tonight.

 

"Do I think? No,'' he said. "But I'll be ready if I am.''

 

Any deal with the Orioles will include Lowell, whose price tag has scared away several teams. Lowell is in the first year of a three-year deal worth $25.5 million, and the Marlins likely will be responsible for some of the money. The Marlins, according to league sources, spoke with Toronto and the White Sox about a Burnett/Lowell package, but neither team was willing to take Lowell.

 

The Orioles on Monday not only were figuring out how much of Lowell's contract they can absorb, but also their chances of signing Burnett long term. Burnett will be a free agent after the season.

 

Lowell said he was told, "the talks are for real,'' by has agent, Seth Levinson.

 

Marlins manager Jack McKeon is laughing off an ESPN report that he could be fired, although one Marlins player said Monday that the team senses McKeon's job is in jeopardy.

 

"I've been through it so many times it doesn't bother me any more at all,'' McKeon said before Monday's game with Arizona. The Marlins entered the game having lost six of seven games. "I go out and do the best I can, if they don't want you, then fine with me.''

 

Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest joined the team in Arizona late Monday. Owner Jeffrey Loria was with the team during the weekend but did not travel to Arizona.

 

At least one Orioles player was told to be prepared to pack, according to one source. In a straight-up deal with Baltimore, the Marlins would receive Penn, who recently was returned to Class AA; relievers Julio and Steve Kline and Bigbie.

 

In the three-way deal, Pirates would send first baseman Daryle Ward to Baltimore, and the Orioles also would acquire Marlins Class-AAA outfielder Eric Reed. The Marlins would be responsible for a large portion of Lowell's contract, which has $21 million remaining through 2007.

 

The Red Sox have offered a package that would include starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo but have fallen behind Baltimore. Boston, according to one source, proposed a three-way deal with San Diego that was turned down by the Marlins.

 

"I know it's moving forward,'' a source close to the talks said about a trade. "I can't imagine they believe Burnett would perform like they expect him to (tonight).''

 

The Burnett talks were on the players' minds Monday, especially Burnett's. He was asked if all the reports were a distraction.

 

"It is,'' he said. "There's a possibility you could have two teams you could be focusing on in one day. You still have to do things to take your mind off of it. I don't answer my phone (except for his wife, agent and mom and dad). My phone has been ringing and ringing.''

 

Burnett has pitched like he's been distracted of late. In his past three starts he has allowed 15 runs in 15 1/3 innings. His is 5-6 with a 3.64 ERA this season.

 

Lowell and Burnett both were in the clubhouse. Lowell related a story from 2003 in which he was told a trade with the Cubs was a done deal.

 

"I'm pretty much at peace with whatever happens,'' Lowell said.

 

Lowell told The Post on Sunday that he's not surprised he's the subject of trade rumors. "I'm not putting up numbers to the contract that I'm making,'' he said.

 

Lowell was hitting .227 with four home runs and 36 RBI entering Monday's game.

 

McKeon spoke with Loria during the series at Philadelphia, in which the Marlins lost three of four games, but his job security wasn't discussed.

 

If McKeon, 74, is fired, he'll take it in stride. After all, he has been fired by four other organizations, as a manger with the Royals, A's and Reds and as a general manager with the Padres.

 

"It's not a big concern,'' McKeon said. "We're held responsible, the managers and the coaches, trying to get these guys to play . . . and sometimes you can do it and sometimes you can't.''

 

Most players said Monday any uneasiness in the locker room is because of the team's recent losing ways rather than McKeon's future.

 

"I really don't have the time to worry about Jack's job,'' Lowell said. "He has to worry about his job, not security-wise, but X's and O's-wise.

 

"Every different scenario and rumor is going to come up when you're not playing up to expectations.''

 

Possible replacements for McKeon would include former Marlins manager Jim Leyland and former Red Sox manager Grady Little.

 

Pitchers progressing: Josh Beckett threw a bullpen session at Bank One Ballpark on Monday and reported no problems. Beckett (strained muscle, left side) will throw another bullpen session or

 

pitch batting practice Wednesday before a decision is made on whether he starts Saturday in San Francisco. . . .

 

Ismael Valdez (right leg fracture) threw six scoreless innings Monday for Class AAA Albuquerque at Iowa. He allowed three hits, four walks and struck out four. He threw 99 pitches. . . .

 

Reliever Antonio Alfonseca (right elbow fracture) threw batting practice Monday at Jupiter. He will pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday. . . .

 

Reliever John Riedling rejoined the team Monday. Riedling was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 8 1/3 innings after being optioned to Albuquerque.

 

 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...SNEWS_0719.html

me likey

 

That would fit us very well and solve all of our problems.

 

I think also I like how we could then have Vargas/Johnson/Olsen/Penn/Willis/Beckett as a group of young up and coming pitchers. We could call ourselves the A's of the East.

Yuck...

but swift what do you want in a deal here?

me likey

 

That would fit us very well and solve all of our problems.

 

I think also I like how we could then have Vargas/Johnson/Olsen/Penn/Willis/Beckett as a group of young up and coming pitchers. We could call ourselves the A's of the East.

864542[/snapback]

 

 

I think you are going to see at least one of these guys get traded for some offense. That is unless the front office has given up on the season. I don't think it has yet though.

 

On a side not, Do you guys think it's the Marlins that are dragging their feet in this situation. I think it is for two reasons First, and most obvious, they are waiting for a better offer to come out but at this point but I think everyone has shown all their cards. Secondly, I think Beinfest is trying to make a second deal for a big league batter. A trade like this would have to include at least one of these guys in addition to probably willy or stokes.

 

Just brainstorming.........What are your thoughts

but swift what do you want in a deal here?

864597[/snapback]

 

1) For us to not have to pay Lowell to play elsewhere.

2) For us to use Penn as a trading chip for a little more of a "frontline" starter than Mark Redman.

me likey

 

That would fit us very well and solve all of our problems.

 

I think also I like how we could then have Vargas/Johnson/Olsen/Penn/Willis/Beckett as a group of young up and coming pitchers. We could call ourselves the A's of the East.

864542[/snapback]

 

 

I think you are going to see at least one of these guys get traded for some offense. That is unless the front office has given up on the season. I don't think it has yet though.

 

On a side not, Do you guys think it's the Marlins that are dragging their feet in this situation. I think it is for two reasons First, and most obvious, they are waiting for a better offer to come out but at this point but I think everyone has shown all their cards. Secondly, I think Beinfest is trying to make a second deal for a big league batter. A trade like this would have to include at least one of these guys in addition to probably willy or stokes.

 

Just brainstorming.........What are your thoughts

864605[/snapback]

 

 

It could be easily and all I think. But, the O's are known to be one of the slowest front offices in the majors. I think the Fish want to shake up things fast but are careful because. If they screw this up they could regret it for a long time.

but swift what do you want in a deal here?

864597[/snapback]

 

1) For us to not have to pay Lowell to play elsewhere.

2) For us to use Penn as a trading chip for a little more of a "frontline" starter than Mark Redman.

864607[/snapback]

 

 

You still might see that, within the Article last night there was stated a good chance that Penn and another would be packaged to the A's for Zito.

 

But we would be getting Penn and Redman. I think our pitcher, our young guy, our bullpen guy and our lefty bench bat.

 

:shrug

 

it is what we hoped for. But, I still like the white sox offer more of course.

but swift what do you want in a deal here?

864597[/snapback]

 

1) For us to not have to pay Lowell to play elsewhere.

2) For us to use Penn as a trading chip for a little more of a "frontline" starter than Mark Redman.

864607[/snapback]

 

 

You still might see that, within the Article last night there was stated a good chance that Penn and another would be packaged to the A's for Zito.

 

But we would be getting Penn and Redman. I think our pitcher, our young guy, our bullpen guy and our lefty bench bat.

 

:shrug

 

it is what we hoped for. But, I still like the white sox offer more of course.

864638[/snapback]

 

You do understand that in addition to Lowell and cash, the Bucs also get Penn and probably Reed?

i doubt it

By the time this trade's done we're going to be 10 games under .500..This s*** sucks,every day it says it's about to be done,but nooope nothing ever happens WTF

but swift what do you want in a deal here?

864597[/snapback]

 

1) For us to not have to pay Lowell to play elsewhere.

2) For us to use Penn as a trading chip for a little more of a "frontline" starter than Mark Redman.

864607[/snapback]

 

 

You still might see that, within the Article last night there was stated a good chance that Penn and another would be packaged to the A's for Zito.

 

But we would be getting Penn and Redman. I think our pitcher, our young guy, our bullpen guy and our lefty bench bat.

 

:shrug

 

it is what we hoped for. But, I still like the white sox offer more of course.

864638[/snapback]

 

You do understand that in addition to Lowell and cash, the Bucs also get Penn and probably Reed?

864660[/snapback]

 

 

Swift with all due respect and all I disagree. Go back and read the article again. If you see something in there that we dont bold it and post it.

You do understand that in addition to Lowell and cash, the Bucs also get Penn and probably Reed?

864660[/snapback]

 

 

Swift with all due respect and all I disagree. Go back and read the article again. If you see something in there that we dont bold it and post it.

864669[/snapback]

 

Yeah...think about it. if that's true, then we are trading AJ and Lowell for Redman, Bigbie, and Julio. As bad as Lowell is and as much as we want to get something for AJ, i doubt they are that desperate. Redman is at the end of his contract too...why would we trade AJ just to get Redman when they're both free agents and AJ is obviously better?

What I don't get is if the Pirates are willing to take Lowell for Redman why not do that trade then call back Toronto and the ChiSox about AJ?

What I don't get is if the Pirates are willing to take Lowell for Redman why not do that trade then call back Toronto and the ChiSox about AJ?

864678[/snapback]

i agree, plus the twins or someone else for lowell, lowell for redman?wtf man, and we have to pay his salary, its a lose-lose situation.

What I don't get is if the Pirates are willing to take Lowell for Redman why not do that trade then call back Toronto and the ChiSox about AJ?

864678[/snapback]

i agree, plus the twins or someone else for lowell, lowell for redman?wtf man, and we have to pay his salary, its a lose-lose situation.

864681[/snapback]

 

Yeah, no way should we do this deal if we have to pay Lowell's salary to boot.

I mean, if we want to trade Lowell to the Pirates for Redman and are willing to pick up salary, at the very least we should get D. Cabrera from Baltimore...

im still wondering how this works out for the Pirates

im still wondering how this works out for the Pirates

864722[/snapback]

 

The pirates get Lowell cheap and get their hands on either Reed or Bigbie. That gives them either way a good solid young play along with a 3 time all star.

im still wondering how this works out for the Pirates

864722[/snapback]

 

The pirates get Lowell cheap and get their hands on either Reed or Bigbie. That gives them either way a good solid young play along with a 3 time all star.

864731[/snapback]

 

 

btw, for what's it's worth, the herald is reporting that the three-way rumor turned out to be untrue:

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/12166964.htm

I still personally dont get why not deal with the bosox for Abe Alvarez, Moss (great kid and prospect), and Arroyo. It makes more sense for Lowell and AJ.

 

It would give us pretty much a SP, a RP and a young outfield kid with amazing upside. They are all younger and better talents. (I still want Hanely mainly but oh wells). Never know I guess.

I still personally dont get why not deal with the bosox for Abe Alvarez, Moss (great kid and prospect), and Arroyo. It makes more sense for Lowell and AJ.

 

It would give us pretty much a SP, a RP and a young outfield kid with amazing upside. They are all younger and better talents. (I still want Hanely mainly but oh wells). Never know I guess.

864740[/snapback]

 

Because Boston won't take Lowell and the FO is anxious to dump his salary (although they should rethink this depending on how much of Lowell's ctt. the O's are asking the Marlins to pay).

im still wondering how this works out for the Pirates

864722[/snapback]

 

The pirates get Lowell cheap and get their hands on either Reed or Bigbie. That gives them either way a good solid young play along with a 3 time all star.

864731[/snapback]

 

 

btw, for what's it's worth, the herald is reporting that the three-way rumor turned out to be untrue:

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/12166964.htm

864739[/snapback]

 

could you perhaps post that? the link brings you up to just registration

btw, for what's it's worth, the herald is reporting that the three-way rumor turned out to be untrue:

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/12166964.htm

864739[/snapback]

 

could you perhaps post that? the link brings you up to just registration

864763[/snapback]

 

McKeon could follow Lowell, Burnett

 

By CLARK SPENCER

 

cspencer@herald.com

 

 

PHOENIX - Jack McKeon was in the dugout, Mike Lowell was in the lineup and A.J. Burnett was in uniform.

 

That was Monday.

 

Today, or a day in the very near future, could find all three somewhere else.

 

Sources Monday said a trade that would send Lowell and Burnett to the Baltimore Orioles was in the works, while McKeon found himself answering questions about his future as the Marlins' manager.

 

Burnett shook his head in the negative when asked if he thought he would still be with the Marlins tonight, when he is scheduled to face the Diamondbacks.

 

''But I'll be ready if I am,'' Burnett said.

 

All that now appears to be holding up the deal with Baltimore is how much of Lowell's remaining salary the Marlins would agree to pay to complete the trade. Lowell is due to make about $21 million before his contract runs out after the 2007 season.

 

The Orioles would make the trade because of their strong desire for Burnett, and they might have been the only taker the Marlins could find who would also accept Lowell in the deal. The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox also were interested in obtaining Burnett but backed out because they would not agree to a package that contained the Marlins' third baseman.

 

The Marlins would receive Orioles pitching prospect Hayden Penn, reliever Jorge Julio, outfielder Admin Bigbie and perhaps left-handed reliever Steve Kline in the deal. The Orioles asked that, instead of Penn, the Marlins take veteran starter Sidney Ponson to help offset Lowell's salary.

 

But Florida balked, telling the Orioles they had no interest in Ponson.

 

The deal was almost finalized during the day Monday, and one of the Orioles involved in the proposed trade was told to pack his clothes and equipment, only to be told later to unpack. The Orioles are currently in Minnesota.

 

Another rumored three-team trade also involving the Pittsburgh Pirates that was reported to be in the works by numerous media outlets turned out to be untrue.

 

Lowell, a three-time All-Star for the Marlins who has slumped this season, said he has been speaking regularly with his agent, Seth Levinson, to get an idea of ``what's going on.''

 

''I'm curious,'' Lowell admitted. ``But I'm pretty much at peace with whatever happens.''

 

While Burnett and Lowell were awaiting a resolution on their status with the Marlins, McKeon told reporters he had read and heard reports that his job as manager might be in danger but wasn't worried about them.

 

''I've been through it so many times it doesn't bother me anymore,'' McKeon said. ``I've been hired, fired, fired managers, hired managers -- I've been through it all. It's not going to be a big concern.''

 

McKeon said he spoke with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria on Sunday, but that the subject of his job never came up.

 

''No, and I wouldn't ask him anything,'' McKeon said.

 

Without question, the Marlins have underperformed, and one player, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there's greater tension within the clubhouse because players know McKeon's future with the club could hinge on the remainder of the road trip, if not the ongoing, three-game series against the Diamondbacks.

 

Another member of the organization said he thought it would be unfair of the Marlins to fire McKeon.

 

''The thing I don't understand is how he could get so stupid so quickly,'' the organization employee said with obvious sarcasm. ``How do you win a World Series [in 2003] and in a year-and-a-half you become stupid?''

im still wondering how this works out for the Pirates

864722[/snapback]

 

The pirates get Lowell cheap and get their hands on either Reed or Bigbie. That gives them either way a good solid young play along with a 3 time all star.

864731[/snapback]

 

 

yeah, and let's face it....the Pirates know that Lowell is not THIS bad. even if he was on steroids, it doesn't mean he's doomed to be useless forever - check out Giambi these days. he's mired in a terrible slump, but it's quite likely that he will hit very well at some point in the future for some team.

me likey

 

That would fit us very well and solve all of our problems.

 

I think also I like how we could then have Vargas/Johnson/Olsen/Penn/Willis/Beckett as a group of young up and coming pitchers. We could call ourselves the A's of the East.

864542[/snapback]

 

 

I think you are going to see at least one of these guys get traded for some offense. That is unless the front office has given up on the season. I don't think it has yet though.

 

On a side not, Do you guys think it's the Marlins that are dragging their feet in this situation. I think it is for two reasons First, and most obvious, they are waiting for a better offer to come out but at this point but I think everyone has shown all their cards. Secondly, I think Beinfest is trying to make a second deal for a big league batter. A trade like this would have to include at least one of these guys in addition to probably willy or stokes.

 

Just brainstorming.........What are your thoughts

864605[/snapback]

 

 

It could be easily and all I think. But, the O's are known to be one of the slowest front offices in the majors. I think the Fish want to shake up things fast but are careful because. If they screw this up they could regret it for a long time.

864621[/snapback]

 

I think it's us too. We've had several posts over the years about our front office being difficult to deal with. *sigh* That's a lot of money to take on for Lowell. Personally, I think he'll be a very nice side bonus to this deal. Another thing is Angelos has a tremendous fear of shelling out big bucks for supposedly injured pitchers. He hates giving out LTC for pitchers.