I still maintain, Beckett should bring one for one any player not named Pujols, Bonds or ARod.

 

You're guaranteed him for two years at an affordable rate, he's got a clean bill of health from Dr. Andrews (who loves to schedule "exploratory" surgery), and he's developed a splitter to help reduce his blister problems. Plus he's young, and a rare player who pitches better when the games mean more. With no frontline starters available on the market or reportedly through trade, he's the trading equivalent of a blank check.

 

I disagree with the 'one for one' assessment...but I concur with the second part.

Anyone question whether all this would still be going down, had the Marlins made the playoffs?

 

The front office is contemplating handing away what might be the most talented pitcher in franchise history for the sole reason of shedding a contract that they themselves gave out just two years ago, because suddenly they can't afford it. What kind of foresight is that? And all this after giving out a massive contract to Carlos Delgado last season? And throwing 9 million to Al Leiter??

 

Was Loria just going on a one-last-blast spending binge before he knew he'd have to sell it all back?

 

I can't imagine things would be measurably different financially even if this team had played well enough down the stretch, won the wild card, and lost in the playoffs. So if that happened, would he still be considering selling off all these pieces? It just doesn't make sense. Do these guys plan for more than 1 year at a time?

Anyone question whether all this would still be going down, had the Marlins made the playoffs?

 

The front office is contemplating handing away what might be the most talented pitcher in franchise history for the sole reason of shedding a contract that they themselves gave out just two years ago, because suddenly they can't afford it. What kind of foresight is that? And all this after giving out a massive contract to Carlos Delgado last season? And throwing 9 million to Al Leiter??

 

Was Loria just going on a one-last-blast spending binge before he knew he'd have to sell it all back?

 

I can't imagine things would be measurably different financially even if this team had played well enough down the stretch, won the wild card, and lost in the playoffs. So if that happened, would he still be considering selling off all these pieces? It just doesn't make sense. Do these guys plan for more than 1 year at a time?

 

 

You make an excellent point and one that has bothered me throughout these discussions. Did Loria really believe signing Lowell, Delgado and Leiter would seal the stadium deal? Or would generate an explosion at the box office? Why open up the pocket books for a single year and end up in financial straights? It makes no sense really. There has to be more behind this story.

Anyone question whether all this would still be going down, had the Marlins made the playoffs?

 

The front office is contemplating handing away what might be the most talented pitcher in franchise history for the sole reason of shedding a contract that they themselves gave out just two years ago, because suddenly they can't afford it. What kind of foresight is that? And all this after giving out a massive contract to Carlos Delgado last season? And throwing 9 million to Al Leiter??

 

Was Loria just going on a one-last-blast spending binge before he knew he'd have to sell it all back?

 

I can't imagine things would be measurably different financially even if this team had played well enough down the stretch, won the wild card, and lost in the playoffs. So if that happened, would he still be considering selling off all these pieces? It just doesn't make sense. Do these guys plan for more than 1 year at a time?

 

 

You make an excellent point and one that has bothered me throughout these discussions. Did Loria really believe signing Lowell, Delgado and Leiter would seal the stadium deal? Or would generate an explosion at the box office? Why open up the pocket books for a single year and end up in financial straights? It makes no sense really. There has to be more behind this story.

 

Been saying this for a while now. Loria is to blame if he negotiated contracts he couldn't afford expecting the market/government become enamored with the Marlins when past history says that simply never happens.

 

At the outset of the off-season and to this moment I see no reason to think that the Marlins are financially in any worse position than they were last off-season. There wasn't a stadium plan then, there isn't one now. The fan-base sucked then, it sucks now. The long-term commitments haven't magically appeared, they were negotiated by Loria and his current front office. Season ticket sales are higher now than they were at this time last year, and they're for a higher rate than they were last year. Plus, ratings are at a high, and there is both a new local media deal and national MLB deal that the Marlins should experience a financial windfall from. Something just isn't right...

Anyone question whether all this would still be going down, had the Marlins made the playoffs?

 

The front office is contemplating handing away what might be the most talented pitcher in franchise history for the sole reason of shedding a contract that they themselves gave out just two years ago, because suddenly they can't afford it. What kind of foresight is that? And all this after giving out a massive contract to Carlos Delgado last season? And throwing 9 million to Al Leiter??

 

Was Loria just going on a one-last-blast spending binge before he knew he'd have to sell it all back?

 

I can't imagine things would be measurably different financially even if this team had played well enough down the stretch, won the wild card, and lost in the playoffs. So if that happened, would he still be considering selling off all these pieces? It just doesn't make sense. Do these guys plan for more than 1 year at a time?

 

 

You make an excellent point and one that has bothered me throughout these discussions. Did Loria really believe signing Lowell, Delgado and Leiter would seal the stadium deal? Or would generate an explosion at the box office? Why open up the pocket books for a single year and end up in financial straights? It makes no sense really. There has to be more behind this story.

 

Been saying this for a while now. Loria is to blame if he negotiated contracts he couldn't afford expecting the market/government become enamored with the Marlins when past history says that simply never happens.

 

At the outset of the off-season and to this moment I see no reason to think that the Marlins are financially in any worse position than they were last off-season. There wasn't a stadium plan then, there isn't one now. The fan-base sucked then, it sucks now. The long-term commitments haven't magically appeared, they were negotiated by Loria and his current front office. Season ticket sales are higher now than they were at this time last year, and they're for a higher rate than they were last year. Plus, ratings are at a high, and there is both a new local media deal and national MLB deal that the Marlins should experience a financial windfall from. Something just isn't right...

 

I couldn't agree more. What's really going on here?

Well, maybe Loria wants to use the savings from these trades to bridge the stadium funding gap. We'll see.

Well, maybe Loria wants to use the savings from these trades to bridge the stadium funding gap. We'll see.

 

 

You're fooling yourself. The stadium isn't any more likely to be built if these deals happen.

 

1) The alleged funding gap is now nearing $100 million.

2) Samson has said that the Marlins are maxed out, there is no way that they're kicking in any more.

Great my favorite player about to be phase 1 of a fire sale

Odd isn't it how quickly things change, 2 weeks ago it was unthinkable to most of us that Delgado would have to be traded, suddenly the club says they don't have the money and are talking about removing other players and it seems like a great idea. (This isn't a criticism just strange how fast things can change)

 

I don't think that moving Beckett is a great idea, but if he realises his potential and wins 20 games, how we afford to keep him after the season? Basically if you think that Lowell is no better than driftwood, you are paying Beckett $13 million this year, do you think that the value coming back in return is any better? Plus in all likelihood in a year Beckett + Lowell = $15-16million, beyond that Beckett is a free agent and all you have to look at are the contracts of Pavano and what Burnett will get to see that he will be making over $10million a year. When was the last time a pitcher of equal talent was put on the market with a similar "contract" and what did they get in return? (I don't know, if anyone does please post as I may be talking BS) If the club really is in a financial pit, and salary will likely not rise above $50 million in the next 2-3 years, does the idea of trading him sound like such a bad idea?

 

I realise that were the club able to package lowell with anything else that would be best, but I just can't see it happening, and I would hope the club has tried to do that. The club must look at it as if the stadium deal is not going to get done as they should have the last 2 years, the signings of Lowell (renewed deal) Delgado and Leiter were shortsighted in hindsight. But they were done for better or worse and if this is the only way the Marlins can survive (that may be a bit over the top) can anyone see a better option?

 

I think that everyone has resigned themselves to the fact the team is going to be very, very different next year, hopefully the trades that will likely be made can make the Marlins cheap and talented for the next 2-3 years until who knows the stadium situation is resolved or some miracle occurs.

 

Also not sure if this has been posted but sounds much better and more optimistic about what might happen:

 

Posted on Mon, Nov. 21, 2005

 

 

R E L A T E D C O N T E N T

 

AP PHOTO

ON HIS WAY OUT? According to sources, the Marlins are close to sending pitcher Josh Beckett to the Rangers for Hank Blalock.

 

Marlins seeking more for Beckett?

 

BY CLARK SPENCER

 

cspencer@herald.com

 

Josh Beckett has suddenly become a hot attraction now that the Marlins have made it known that he, like most of their high-profile players, isn't untouchable. But even though interest in the pitcher appeared to gather additional steam on Sunday, sources said the Marlins might wind up holding on to the right-hander.

 

''Someone would have to knock their socks off,'' said one source with knowledge of negotiations involving Beckett.

 

The Marlins are using Beckett as a vehicle to unload third baseman Mike Lowell, if not other players with large salaries that the Marlins want to deal.

 

The Texas Rangers are one club that has agreed to take Lowell in order to obtain Beckett, offering third baseman Hank Blalock and one of two pitching prospects -- either John Danks or Thomas Diamond -- that the Marlins were demanding.

 

The Rangers made another pitch to the Marlins on Sunday and are now awaiting a response. It is unclear whether they have finally agreed to give up either Danks or Diamond, former first-round draft picks that the Rangers have been reluctant to include in a trade.

 

Still, ''there's probably better stuff coming [for the Marlins],'' said one league source, adding that at least two teams -- one in the National League and the other in the American -- have indicated they could be willing to give up more than the Rangers.

 

The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers have also shown interest in Beckett, who won 15 games last season for the Marlins and was the MVP of the 2003 World Series.

Originally I thought the Marlins were absolutely crazy to trade away their players like this.

 

But the more I read, the more I read where teams are willing to give so much in return, this is actually a smart move...

 

I will miss Beckett if he gets traded, but damn, we have the potential to get so much from any deal involving him and with the payroll flexibility of getting rid of Lowell and if we make another trade to get rid of Pierre, who knows, we might be able to keep Delgado.