Nice to hear as we approach the trading deadline

 

Burnett looks like a keeper

 

By Mike Berardino

and Steve Gorten Staff writers

Posted July 29 2005

 

MIAMI GARDENS ? One general manager who has been monitoring the A.J. Burnett sweepstakes predicted the Marlins would let Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline pass without moving the strikeout artist.

 

The GM, who requested anonymity, added his own recommendation for what the Marlins should do with the prospective free agent.

 

"They're better off keeping the guy," the GM said Thursday. "They might as well go for it. Whoever they get is not going to replace the guy. They'll just end up with a lesser talent or a younger player."

 

Meanwhile, Brandon McCarthy's third consecutive strong start for Triple-A Charlotte may have lessened the chances of Burnett joining the White Sox this weekend.

 

McCarthy, the 22-year-old right-hander rated among the top pitching prospects in the minors, tossed eight shutout innings Wednesday in Rochester, N.Y. That lowered his ERA over his past three starts to 1.80, including a July 22 appearance in Syracuse before Marlins personnel chief Dan Jennings.

 

Asked about McCarthy's rumored inclusion in a package for Burnett, White Sox General Manager Ken Williams gave a cryptic answer to a Chicago Tribune reporter.

 

"There are certain assumptions about names being talked about," Williams said. "A lot of those names are more rumor than truth."

 

White Sox reliever Damaso Marte also interests the Marlins, but Marte has been mentioned in a possible bid for Devil Rays closer Danys Baez. The Marlins also have interest in Baez, although Tampa Bay's asking price is considered exorbitant.

 

The Red Sox are considered the only other serious contender for Burnett, due to start Saturday. The Angels inquired but balked at the Marlins' asking price.

 

Link

This is great news!

 

But I'd be much happier if it came from another writer.

Here's another article from the PB Post:

 

McKeon does not expect a trade

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Friday, July 29, 2005

 

MIAMI GARDENS ? Marlins manager Jack McKeon, who was once known as Trader Jack because of his dealing prowess as a general manager, has been reserved in his comments about rumors that pitcher A.J. Burnett will be traded.

 

On Thursday ? three days before Sunday's non-waiver trading deadline ? McKeon offered his most candid answer since the rumors started two weeks ago.

 

"I can't tell you for a fact, but I get a feeling we're going to try to win it with what we've got,'' he said.

 

There was another encouraging development for the Marlins. Teams interested in trading for Burnett and signing him to a long-term contract needed to strike a deal by 4 p.m. Thursday to give the pitcher and his agent a 72-hour negotiating window.

 

With that deadline passed, teams still have a chance to trade and sign Burnett, but only if they are willing to agree to the pitcher's demands.

 

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox remain "strongly interested" in Burnett, a baseball source said. Teams were expected to intensify their efforts in the next three days.

 

The Marlins continued to work the the telephones, but their focus was believed to be on acquiring relief pitching. The team reportedly is trying to acquire Seattle left-hander Ron Villone.

 

"You'd love to add somebody without tinkering with what you've got,'' McKeon said.

 

"We've got a good club. We're hopeful that things are starting to fall in place. A lot of it depends on the big four starters. We need to get everybody to step it up a little bit.''

 

 

Link

 

Looks like they are running out of time to strike a deal. I prefer we keep AJ as there really isn't anything better out there to help us the rest of the season or in the playoffs. We're only 2 1/2 out of the wild card and with Alfonseca and Valdez returning, and Vargas pitching so well, it's like we just picked up 3 new arms in trades.

It's good news now but come next season, we'll wish we had something to show for him other than some draft pick

It's good news now but come next season, we'll wish we had something to show for him other than some draft pick

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We stocked the farm with good arms this past year. While you can never have enough pitching prospects, it isn't like we are in great need of trading Burnett to get one.

And from the Herald. All of the major local papers picked up on the story.

 

Trades appear less likely

 

BY KEVIN BAXTER

 

kbaxter@herald.com

 

Marlins manager Jack McKeon said Thursday the front office continues to pursue possible trades but added that he doubts the team will make any major moves before Sunday afternoon's nonwaiver-trade deadline.

 

''I can't tell you that for a fact,'' he said, ``but I get a feeling we're going to try to win it with what we've got.''

 

And one thing the Marlins have, at least for now, is right-hander A.J. Burnett, who has been at the center of almost all the trade rumors involving the Marlins.

 

A proposed deal that would have sent Burnett to the Baltimore Orioles collapsed last week, and although the White Sox and Red Sox are still said to be pursuing the pitcher aggressively, it's looking increasingly unlikely that a deal will get done before Sunday -- especially since both teams want a 72-hour window to try to negotiate a contract extension with Burnett, who is a free agent after the season.

 

''You'd love to add somebody without tinkering with what you've got. We've got a good club,'' McKeon said. ``At least we're hopeful that things are starting to fall in place. A lot's going to depend on our big four starters.''

 

One of whom is Burnett.

 

McKeon had a closed-door meeting with general manager Admin Beinfest, assistant GM Michael Hill and owner Jeffrey Loria after Wednesday's game but said the conversation involved things other than trades. Beinfest is most interested in adding some pitching help -- Seattle's Gil Meche is one name that recently has come up -- but is likely concentrating most on acquiring a reliever.

 

'I wouldn't say a name or two didn't come up, but just on a passing thing, of saying, `What do you of think of so-and-so?' or something like that,'' McKeon said. ``But that wasn't a major thing. I know Admin and the ownership would like to add something if we could. It's just not that easy.''

 

Link

Very very good news but I'd like the trade deadline to pass already.

Very very good news but I'd like the trade deadline to pass already.

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Me too. As long as Georgie and the Yankees are around the potential for something stupid remains.

I am not sure were going to make the playoffs , out of all the contenders for the wild card we have the most challenging schedule but at this point I cant see giving Burnett away for a second rate deal.....However it is going to suck if we fall short and get nothing when AJ leaves

I do like the idea of getting Villone not going to cost too much in terms of prospects and the guy is an experienced Left hander who is having a good season ...good fit for the marlins

stay boy, stay

 

Espn is still reporting that he most likely will be traded.

 

GRRR BAD ESPN, Bad Bad Espn!

As was always the plan... if the price isn't met, keep him.

As was always the plan... if the price isn't met, keep him.

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So, would YOU trade him now......if the price WAS right.

Not only would I, but by all indications so would Beinfest.

Screw it. Lets just go for it and whatever happens, happens.

Not only would I, but by all indications so would Beinfest.

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I have a pretty good idea what Beinfest is thinking.

I was curious what you thought.

You can pencil in AJ for the 8/4 start in St. Louis.

Hopefully that's for the best for not only this year but the next.

Definitely.

According to USA Today, the Marlins may be on the verge of sending A.J. Burnett and Mike Lowell to the White Sox for Brandon McCarthy and Damaso Marte. Florida is three games back in the NL Wild Card chase, but for some reason they seem intent on selling off at the deadline. Said Wild Card chase is packed with flawed teams and is entirely up for grabs. So for a franchise whose last two Wild Card berths netted championship rings, it would be more than a little disappointing for them to cut bait on the season.

 

Most troubling, of course, is the Burnett rumor. If the Fish are to remain in the chase, they must keep Burnett in the fold. The back of the rotation is a weak spot, particularly considering that overachieving Brian Moehler could turn back into a pumpkin at any moment. Supposedly, Florida is looking to part with Burnett because he's heading into his high-salary and free-agent years and would be too much of a budget strain to keep in the fold. Nonsense.

 

The Marlins' budget concerns are, of course, wildly overstated. And if you want to start sloughing off talent, you'd best start with someone else. This is because Burnett is a rare combination of high strikeout numbers and strong groundball tendencies. In 2005, Burnett ranks 10th in the majors in strikeouts-per-nine and seventh in the majors in groundball-fly ball ratio. He also has the highest K rate of any pitcher this season with a GB/FB ratio of 2.5 or better. That's a rare and potent skills tandem, and the Marlins would be foolish to part with it. Burnett will likely out-perform Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett over the next three seasons or so. If the Marlins have designs on contention over that span, they'd best hang on to him.

 

Fox Sports

According to USA Today, the Marlins may be on the verge of sending A.J. Burnett and Mike Lowell to the White Sox for Brandon McCarthy and Damaso Marte. Florida is three games back in the NL Wild Card chase, but for some reason they seem intent on selling off at the deadline. Said Wild Card chase is packed with flawed teams and is entirely up for grabs. So for a franchise whose last two Wild Card berths netted championship rings, it would be more than a little disappointing for them to cut bait on the season.

 

Most troubling, of course, is the Burnett rumor. If the Fish are to remain in the chase, they must keep Burnett in the fold. The back of the rotation is a weak spot, particularly considering that overachieving Brian Moehler could turn back into a pumpkin at any moment. Supposedly, Florida is looking to part with Burnett because he's heading into his high-salary and free-agent years and would be too much of a budget strain to keep in the fold. Nonsense.

 

The Marlins' budget concerns are, of course, wildly overstated. And if you want to start sloughing off talent, you'd best start with someone else. This is because Burnett is a rare combination of high strikeout numbers and strong groundball tendencies. In 2005, Burnett ranks 10th in the majors in strikeouts-per-nine and seventh in the majors in groundball-fly ball ratio. He also has the highest K rate of any pitcher this season with a GB/FB ratio of 2.5 or better. That's a rare and potent skills tandem, and the Marlins would be foolish to part with it. Burnett will likely out-perform Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett over the next three seasons or so. If the Marlins have designs on contention over that span, they'd best hang on to him.

 

Fox Sports

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That is big news,although I can't find anything on that in the USA today. Would be a great deal IF we did get rid of Lowell.

As loathe as I am to add anything to these neverending threads on AJ, I must say I was surprised, with so much at stake tonight, that Loria was not in attendance, or at least not in his box for one second.

 

Now, it may be he's in France negotiating the sale of a Renoir, or had another commitment, but surprised me enough to postulate that he and Admin Beinfest were holed up somewhere putting the finishing touches on something.

 

Everything above should be taken as idle speculation, lol, but then again, everything In Rumor Central comes with a caveat of some kind.

Unless the White Sox pay all of Lowell salary I will be extremely pissed if all we get for Burnett is Marte and McCarthy. Especially with what the Red Sox offerd us. I will be okay with Contreras, McCarthy, Marte for Lowell and Burnett though cause we save money and get talent back.