http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_c...4283118,00.html

 

Rumor mill

 

With baseball officials set to gather in Dallas for the annual winter meetings next week, here are some rumors heating up on the hot stove league:

 

? Colorado offers outfielder Admin Bigbie to Seattle for catcher Yorvit Torrealba or to Cleveland for catcher Josh Bard.

 

? Detroit offers catcher Ivan Rodriguez to the New York Mets for right-handed pitcher Kris Benson.

 

? Minnesota considers sending left-hander J.C. Romero to Texas for third baseman Hank Blalock.

 

? Minnesota and Oakland pursue free-agent designated hitter Mike Piazza. Oakland also has interest in Frank Thomas as a DH.

 

? Baltimore covets Nomar Garciaparra to play first base or left field. Boston would be interested in him in center field if Johnny Damon doesn't re-sign.

 

? Tampa Bay would trade catcher Toby Hall to the New York Mets for right-hander Aaron Heilman.

 

? Toronto would trade right-hander Miguel Batista to Texas for outfielder Kevin Mench.

 

? Texas considers sending catcher Gerald Laird and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to San Diego for right-hander Adam Eaton.

 

? If the Chicago Cubs fail to sign Rafael Furcal, they would consider sending a package of right-hander Jerome Williams, outfielder Corey Patterson, second baseman Todd Walker and a pitching prospect to Texas for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and Mench.

 

? Milwaukee would offer first baseman Lyle Overbay to Boston for right-hander Matt Clement, whom the Brewers tried to sign as a free agent a year ago.

 

? Pittsburgh would offer right-hander Kip Wells to Cincinnati for outfielder Austin Kearns or Wily Mo Pe?a.

 

? St. Louis would offer right- hander Jason Marquis to Florida for outfielder Juan Pierre.

 

well that would make 2 pitchers we'd have who could hit cleanup for us... does anyone have the salary figures on what Marquis' contract is? I know he has relatives down here, because when he was with Atlanta they made a big deal that he went to synagogue with them down here during the Jewish holidays or something.

Detroit offers catcher Ivan Rodriguez to the New York Mets for right-handed pitcher Kris Benson.

 

:o

too bad benson is said to be traded to the O's for Julio.

 

Marquis was a sandwich pick by the Braves in 1996. He is 27 years of age.

 

Bats as a lefty and throws as a righty.

 

Here is his stat line next year.

 

13-14 wins/loss 4.13 era 100 ks 69 BB 1.33 whip

 

acceptable whip. I dont really like the K/BB ratio though. But, I am sure one of the cards fans on here could tell more. He has hit 200 innings the last two years in a row.

 

His era went up this past year from 3.71 for the 4.13 but his whip improved (more important in my eyes).

 

He also Posted 3 CG and 1 SO last year.

 

He is entering his third year in the majors (called up 2003 with the braves for 40 innings then 2 years with st. louis).

 

I think he hits arbitration next year then.

Marquis has one more year of arbitration eligibility, and he made $3 million last year.

 

Beckett had 2 more years of arb eligibility and made $2.4 mill.

 

re: FishFan's post - I see him having played since the middle of 2000. (from ESPN.com). So it looks like his arby years are almost done.

I'd pass on Marquis, who besides his sinker has pretty much average to below average stuff. His sinker, when he uses it right, is amazing though. But, he is stubborn and has tried to rely on every pitch but his sinker(his only real decent pitch), and that is when he went on that incredible losing funk. He also seems like he'd be a bad teammate.

Marquis for Pierre? I'd do that. The only thing Marquis brings to you.. an excellent bat and one or two good games a year..

I'd take Marquis in a second... a major league pitcher, whoa!!

 

If San Diego is looking into trading Adam Eaton, the Marlins should make a run at him.

The fact that Marquis would be our second starter speaks volumes about the weakness of our rotation right now.

:thumbup JimEdmonds... and ohhhhhh you forgot to mention he's going to arby and would probably make as much as Pierre, with free agency looming next season.

 

While I think the Fish may start to acquire MLB players at some point soon, AND WITH THE WINTER MEETINGS STARTING IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, there will be a ton of trade rumors flying around leading up to it, some credible, some like this one, that don't make sense unless $$$ and more players are invloved.

 

It seems the author said to himself, "... the Cards need to dump Marquis and King, let's steal Pierre and solve our own problem at the same time." Thankfully, it doesn't work that way.

There is no shortage of teams interested in Pierre so it would seem. :confused

 

It is clearly a seller's market, so I can't blame the Fish one bit for shopping these guys to see what offers are made. Just as long as they don't become to eager to dump them we should end up alright.