July 30, 200521 yr MIAMI -- When A.J. Burnett takes the mound on Saturday night, the flame-throwing Arkansas native knows it could possibly be his final start as a Marlin. Perhaps the most rumored player on the market, Burnett has been the constant focus of trade talks. The non-waiver trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, and Burnett has no indication if he will remain with the Marlins. Burnett is slated to make his 21st start of the season on Saturday when the Marlins take on the Nationals at Dolphins Stadium. At 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA, Burnett has one of the most overpowering fastballs in the game. Eligible for free agency after the season, he is the most talked about starter regarding trade talks. While the club hasn't said much of whether they will keep or deal Burnett, the right-hander said he wishes someone in the organization had told him something. "I have no idea," Burnett said when asked if he would stay or go. "I wouldn't mind if maybe someone around here coming around here telling me, 'You're all right, don't worry about anything. Go out there and pitch.' Besides all that, I'm here. I think I'm here. Hopefully, I stay here. It's a good team to play for. So if I was to get traded, I have just as good a chance winning here as anywhere else I'd go." The winner of his last two starts, Burnett joked that the club maybe should have talked about trading him before every outing. Burnett says his teammates make what could be an uncomfortable situation easier. "Besides that, these guys make it easy for me. There are a bunch of clowns in here," Burnett said. "I think about it sometimes at home, but I've got the kids and the family. It's out of my hands, so I don't think about it that much." Burnett has been linked to possible deals with the Orioles, Red Sox and White Sox. Chances are good Burnett will remain with the Marlins, considering he provides a front-line power pitcher that the team needs to reach the postseason. It appears if Burnett is dealt anywhere, the Red Sox could have the inside edge. Boston's special assistant to the general manager, Bill Lajoie was at Dolphins Stadium on Friday. Typically, advance scouts attend games, and top officials appear for special reasons. The Marlins also are believed to be in discussions with the Pirates for left-hander Mark Redman, who won 14 games for Florida during its 2003 World Series championship season. The Pirates are considering obtaining Double-A Carolina right-hander Yorman Bazardo in return for Redman. Burnett, meanwhile, says the Marlins' best chances of reaching the postseason are for him to remain in Florida. "The guys know they need me here and that I want to be here and that it would be not a good trade," Burnett said if he were to leave. "This is a good team." http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla
July 30, 200521 yr The Pirates are considering obtaining Double-A Carolina right-hander Yorman Bazardo in return for Redman. I rather keep Burnett now that we won't be getting Arroyo and Sanchez. I wouldn't give up Bazardo for Redman but I would deal Bazardo, Messenger and Mitchell or something like that for Kip Wells. Why? cause Wells is a power pitcher who can dominate, can actually be used in the playoff rotation if needed, and will retain his right for another season. 2005 Rotation Beckett Burnett Willis Wells Moehler IMO that is a top 5 rotation and if we make the playoff's will be pretty sick.
July 30, 200521 yr I like Kip...I have actually wanted to trade for him before. But with the emergence of Moehler it seemed to be a non-issue. Valdez is back and looked good in his first start, and Vargas has looked really good is as well. Wells is just way too streaky. Cy Young one start, Michael Tejara the next.
July 30, 200521 yr I'll just be glad when Sunday passes and AJ is still with the club. 880028[/snapback] I'm right there with ya.
July 30, 200521 yr The Pirates are considering obtaining Double-A Carolina right-hander Yorman Bazardo in return for Redman. I rather keep Burnett now that we won't be getting Arroyo and Sanchez. I wouldn't give up Bazardo for Redman but I would deal Bazardo, Messenger and Mitchell or something like that for Kip Wells. Why? cause Wells is a power pitcher who can dominate, can actually be used in the playoff rotation if needed, and will retain his right for another season. 2005 Rotation Beckett Burnett Willis Wells Moehler IMO that is a top 5 rotation and if we make the playoff's will be pretty sick. 880002[/snapback] Actually Kip Wells is a free agent after this season.
July 30, 200521 yr It appears if Burnett is dealt anywhere, the Red Sox could have the inside edge. Boston's special assistant to the general manager, Bill Lajoie was at Dolphins Stadium on Friday. Typically, advance scouts attend games, and top officials appear for special reasons. I don't think the sox deal is dead quite yet. Why else is this guy in town?
July 30, 200521 yr Actually Kip Wells is a free agent after this season. He is still has one more left.
July 30, 200521 yr Actually Kip Wells is a free agent after this season. He is still has one more left. 880317[/snapback] But the $6 million or so he'll get in arbitration may be alot more than Pittsburgh is willing to pay and conversely, for the Fish, compared to paying AJ $8-11 million for multi-years, Wells would be a bargain. And while one can argue Redman is a free agent at the end of the season, and thus a rental, history suggests he runs out of gas towards the end of the season which is exactly what we don't need, especially in the heat of South Florida in August and September. To me, and just my opinion, you pay more, willingly for the younger, greater upside power-pitching Kip Wells than Redman, for this season and next, where he appears to be a cheaper alternative to re-signing Burnett or an equivalent free agent.
July 30, 200521 yr But the $6 million or so he'll get in arbitration may be alot more than Pittsburgh is willing to pay and conversely, for the Fish, compared to paying AJ $8-11 million for multi-years, Wells would be a bargain. And while one can argue Redman is a free agent at the end of the season, and thus a rental, history suggests he runs out of gas towards the end of the season which is exactly what we don't need, especially in the heat of South Florida in August and September. To me, and just my opinion, you pay more, willingly for the younger, greater upside power-pitching Kip Wells than Redman, for this season and next, where he appears to be a cheaper alternative to re-signing Burnett or an equivalent free agent. Im with u 100%. I will be dissapointed if we acquire Redman again.
July 30, 200521 yr I'll just be glad when Sunday passes and AJ is still with the club. 880028[/snapback] I'm right there with ya. 880123[/snapback] I'm with both of ya
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