November 21, 200520 yr Updated: Nov. 21, 2005, 3:39 PM ET Rangers aren't top contender to land BeckettBy Jayson Stark ESPN.com Contrary to numerous reports, the Texas Rangers aren't the leading contender to land Marlins starter Josh Beckett in a package deal with third baseman Mike Lowell. Josh Beckett Starting Pitcher Florida Marlins Profile 2005 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L BB K ERA 29 15 8 58 166 3.38 According to baseball officials who have been in contact with Florida, the Marlins have two other potential deals -- with Boston and an unnamed "mystery" team -- that team officials find more appealing than Texas' offer of third baseman Hank Blalock and one of the Rangers' two top pitching prospects, either Thomas Diamond or John Danks. The Red Sox, according to sources, have offered Florida highly coveted shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez, who would become the immediate starter in Miami, plus a choice of two Grade A pitching prospects -- lefthander Jon Lester or righthander Anibel Sanchez. No officials involved in the talks would confirm the identity of the mystery team. But an executive of another club said Monday he believes that other team to be the Dodgers. The Marlins, the executive said, extensively scouted the Dodgers' double-A team in Jacksonville -- and Florida is said to like a number of that team's best pitchers. That group of pitchers includes former No. 1 picks Chad Billingsley and Justin Orenduff, as well as 240-pound smokeballer Jonathon Broxton. Because of their vacancy at shortstop, the Marlins also would be likely to have interest in the Dodgers' much-hyped double-A shortstop, Joel Guzman. However, none of this means the potential deal with Texas is dead. It's now believed, though, that Florida has asked the Rangers to expand their deal even further, to include hot shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias, along with Blalock and a pitcher. In return, the Rangers would want a second pitcher back -- possibly setup man Guillermo Mota. The Marlins, if that deal were completed, then would turn around and trade Blalock, who would block Miguel Cabrera's return to third base if Florida kept him. Teams known to be interested in Blalock include the Twins, Phillies and Devil Rays. The Angels at one point were involved in the bidding on Beckett, but since have dropped out, according to one source. Still alive, but running behind the other bidders, is Detroit. According to an official of one club involved in this derby, "nothing is close -- not to the point where someone could say, 'If you put this guy in, it's a done deal.' The names are still being exchanged." Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
November 21, 200520 yr Ah hell.....not the Dodgers. MG, we're usually on the same page but you gotta see where this goes when you look at it's logical conclusion... The Marlins send: Beckett - Lowell - LoDuca (still a god in LA, fans want him back at almost any cost, unbelievable positive PR for a really troubled franchise) The Dodgers send: Dioner Navarro - Guzman - somebody - somebody (I'd be a boldface liar if I said I knew anything about LA's player personnel) Okay, so I can't put the pieces together but there's deal to be made there. I'll leave it to others to fill in the blanks. Navarro is major league ready and will always be looked on as "not Paul Lo Duca" as long as he's there.
November 21, 200520 yr Ah hell.....not the Dodgers. MG, we're usually on the same page but you gotta see where this goes when you look at it's logical conclusion... The Marlins send: Beckett - Lowell - LoDuca (still a god in LA, fans want him back at almost any cost, unbelievable positive PR for a really troubled franchise) The Dodgers send: Dioner Navarro - Guzman - somebody - somebody (I'd be a boldface liar if I said I knew anything about LA's player personnel) Okay, so I can't put the pieces together but there's deal to be made there. I'll leave it to others to fill in the blanks. Navarro is major league ready and will always be looked on as "not Paul Lo Duca" as long as he's there. he doesn't want his precious Giants to face Beckett
November 21, 200520 yr Ah hell.....not the Dodgers. MG, we're usually on the same page but you gotta see where this goes when you look at it's logical conclusion... The Marlins send: Beckett - Lowell - LoDuca (still a god in LA, fans want him back at almost any cost, unbelievable positive PR for a really troubled franchise) The Dodgers send: Dioner Navarro - Guzman - somebody - somebody (I'd be a boldface liar if I said I knew anything about LA's player personnel) Okay, so I can't put the pieces together but there's deal to be made there. I'll leave it to others to fill in the blanks. Navarro is major league ready and will always be looked on as "not Paul Lo Duca" as long as he's there. bradley would be nice and cheap. He is a 5 tool player in the outfield that has some injury concerns but he is a stud when healthy and just needs to get out of that place to start over.
November 21, 200520 yr I'm digging the bidding war... this is the genius that is Beinfest... he's getting teams to offer their young top-notch prospects formerly deemed untouchables.
November 21, 200520 yr Billingsley > Lester > Danks > Broxton > Sanchez > Orenduff Billingsley is a stud and IMO the most ready, best prospect, and most potential. If we can get the Dodgers to also give up Guzman who is not really projected to be a SS cause he is already 6-6 and about 225. Scouts compare him to Juan Gonzalez and think he's future is in the OF. Broxton is a bulldog type pitcher who just battles you and is not afraid to pitch. Has some A.J Burnett like arm with a better head but a horrible body. He's almost at 300 pounds now at 275. Has a type of Bobby Jenks, Roger Clemens body with just a good arm. Dodgers are our best match cause of prospects, new GM, and pressure on the owner to spend money, followed by Boston if they give up Lester, if not Texas is ahead of them, if they do give up Danks.
November 21, 200520 yr Wonder who that mystery team is.. Not saying it's the Cards by any means but Jocketty likes to do it this way for St. Louis.. Any guesses on the mystery team from any of you?
November 21, 200520 yr Wonder who that mystery team is.. Not saying it's the Cards by any means but Jocketty likes to do it this way for St. Louis.. Any guesses on the mystery team from any of you? houston
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