November 14, 200619 yr Marlins will talk, but not about Willis By Joe Capozzi Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, November 14, 2006 NAPLES If there Marlins make any trades this winter, chances are they'll tap their surplus of young pitchers. But don't expect Dontrelle Willis to be dangled as trade bait just yet. Despite speculation that the Marlins left-hander could be moved, a National League general manager said Monday that the Marlins are telling teams that Willis is not available. The same GM also noted that at the beginning of last year's general managers meetings, the Marlins told teams that Carlos Delgado was not available. But on the last day of the meetings, the Marlins suddenly started telling teams they planned to trade the slugger. Before the Marlins part with Willis, they'll try to move pitchers such as Sergio Mitre, Jason Vargas or Yusmeiro Petit. But younger prospects such as Chris Volstad of Palm Beach Gardens are considered off limits. "Obviously, (there are) not a lot of pieces at the major-league level that we would be willing to part with, but we have some nice inventory in our system," General Manager Beinfest said. "If it's the right guy and the (trade) is equitable or we think it's going to be, I don't think we'll hesitate, but we're not looking to trade our pitching.'' Cabrera switching agents: On the verge of his first seven-figure contract, Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera is in the process of dumping his agent. Cabrera, who could make at least $5 million this winter in his first round of arbitration, has sent a termination letter to the Reich, Katz and Landis firm. He appears headed for SFX, whose clientele of Latin superstars includes Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...notes_1114.html GMs say they receive mixed signals when they inquire about Florida left-hander Dontrelle Willis. His salary is expected to grow beyond $6 million and the Marlins are hoping to keep their payroll to $20 million. The Mets are among the teams watching that situation closely. "It would have to be an awfully good deal for the Marlins to give up somebody who means so much to them right now," agent Matt Sosnick said. "I don't think he'll be traded, but I could be wrong." Mark Mulder, the left-hander from Thornwood High, has reportedly received inquires from 13 teams, according to agent Greg Clifton. He is expected to open next season on the disabled list because of shoulder surgery but reportedly is being identified as a primary target for Tampa Bay. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-cubs-headlines Yankees, Mets: No Matsuzaka, look elsewhere for pitching Tuesday, November 14, 2006 BY DAN GRAZIANO Star-Ledger Staff The Red Sox have won the right to negotiate a contract with Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzaka, according to an executive with a team involved in the negotiations, dealing a blow to the Yankees and Mets. Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball are planning a joint announcement tonight at 8, ending the secretive, intercontinental process. The Red Sox bid to the Seibu Lions exceeded $40 million, according to the official, who requested anonymity because it has not been officially announced. While the Red Sox must still agree to a contract with Matsuzaka before he can pitch in Fenway Park, winning the negotiating rights guarantees that the rival Yankees and the Mets won't have a chance to sign him this season. The Mets already have had conversations in recent days with the White Sox about acquiring one of their starting pitchers -- likely either Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia -- and they are paying attention in case the Marlins put Dontrelle Willis on the market or the Padres do the same with Jake Peavy. Mets manager Willie Randolph indicated at a groundbreaking ceremony for the franchise's new stadium yesterday that the team was prepared to move on without Matsuzaka. "There are guys out there all the time," Randolph said. "I know very little about him. So I wasn't thinking, 'Wow. We've got to have this guy.' I wasn't sitting back waiting to see if we would get him or not." The Mets, as they did last year with players such as Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca and Duaner Sanchez, seem interested in using the trade route to augment their 2007 club. The Yankees, meanwhile, are planning to explore the free-agent market, with names such as Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt and Gil Meche already catching their attention. But there's going to be fierce competition for pitchers. For example, at least 17 teams have expressed interest in Meche, including four of the five teams in the AL East. Five of those teams told Meche's agent he was their No. 1 free-agent priority, with offers expected to be tendered as soon as today. The Yankees have until tomorrow to exercise their $17 million contract option on Mike Mussina, which they won't do. But they are working on a two-year extension (for about $22 million or so) and could have that completed by Thursday, which is the first day Mussina can negotiate with other teams. Even with Mussina in the fold, the Yankees likely will need at least two more pitchers, since they're not counting on Randy Johnson or Carl Pavano to be ready for the start of the season due to injuries. The Mets will keep their eyes on the free-agent market, too. But they're also interested in exploring trade possibilities. The White Sox are willing to part with one of their starters -- either Vazquez, Garcia, Mark Buehrle or, in a real long shot, Jose Contreras -- if they can get relief help. The Mets could consider dealing somebody such as Aaron Heilman to get the starter they feel can help them. GM Omar Minaya knows Vazquez, the former Yankees flameout, from their time together in Montreal. Both teams made bids for Matsuzaka and had hoped to add the 26-year-old Japanese phenom to their 2007 starting rotations. The Yankees weren't commenting for the record yesterday on the failed pursuit. At the groundbreaking for their new stadium, Mets COO Jeff Wilpon also declined to comment. Matsuzaka, a 26-year-old right-hander, was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA for the Seibu Lions. Listed at 5-11 1/2 and 187 pounds, he has a 90-96 mph fastball, a slider, a forkball, a curve and a change-up. The Red Sox have 30 days to sign Matsuzaka. If they don't, the fee will be refunded and Matsuzaka will remain in Japan for another year. http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf....xml&coll=1 IN MY OPINION Management must keep pace BY GREG COTE gcote@MiamiHerald.com * Marlins' Ramirez named NL's top rookie This is the week that reminds us how close the Marlins are to being very good, and the week that begins to tell us whether club management plans to sit idling or to accelerate the process. Marlins finished a remarkable 1-3-4 in NL Rookie of the Year voting announced Monday by the Baseball Writers Association of America, with shortstop Hanley Ramirez winning. Twelve players received at least one mention and six were Marlins, the most ever from one team in one season. (My BBWAA vote went to Florida's Dan Uggla, who finished third.) The symphony of flourishing youth is partly why Joe Girardi almost certainly will win Manager of the Year honors Wednesday. Girardi will get his official credit for taking a team of historic inexperience on a cut-rate budget and winning only five fewer regular-season games than the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals -- even if Kid Joe never got the credit from his own club, which thanked him by replacing him over supposed personality conflicts. PLAY OR FOLD? Meanwhile, baseball's general managers are meeting this week on our state's west coast in the resort town of Naples, and the question is whether Florida GM Admin Beinfest will be getting down to some serious business and improve his team, or lounge around with an umbrella drink watching other GMs improve theirs. The issue is whether the Marlins believe they are close enough to playoff-competitive to bust open Jeffrey Loria's piggy bank and be aggressive in addressing weaknesses in the bullpen and in center field. Indications are that the club plans to stand pat with its cheap-o payroll, with a budget plan that will leave little left over after stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis are secured for the future. Too bad. Management sought to improve neither the bullpen nor center field during last season's stretch run that ultimately fell short of the playoffs. Time to make amends now. Time to spend the money or deal the minor-league prospects to go get immediate, necessary help. Time for the club to start winning back some of the public goodwill lost with the Girardi sacking. Time to start furthering the sense of franchise momentum, and commitment, that might help kick-start the seemingly ever-foundering efforts to see a new retractable-domed stadium built. The Tigers gave up three prospects to the Yankees to get aging Gary Sheffield. The Marlins should be smarter, but just as aggressive. It would require increasing the majors' lowest 2006 payroll by enough to have substantial spending money even after re-signing Cabrera and Willis, which should be an absolute given. Not asking you to turn into George Steinbrenner here and start shooting money from a shoulder cannon, Mr. Loria. But must the payroll be dead-last again? The butt of baseball jokes? Wouldn't a decent increase be worth more than all of your words about commitment to South Florida? The impressive young talent stockpiled via the most recent fire sale is blooming, but needs help. Intriguing possibilities are out there, but they require a team willing to be a player. BE AGGRESSIVE For example, Toronto has shown a willingness to entertain trade offers for slugging center fielder Vernon Wells. Why not at least explore what it would take? Likewise, Tampa Bay seems willing to part with highly regarded outfielder Carl Crawford for pitching prospects. Even if those guys proved too costly, or the Marlins legitimately decided a team that just set a franchise home run record needn't target offense, center field is in dire need of an upgrade. Gary Matthews Jr., ex-Marlin Juan Pierre and veteran Kenny Lofton are among the many players who might be available to the team committed to improving. Bullpen is an even more urgent need. Relievers last year lost 28 games, blew 26 saves, walked 258 batters and had a 4.67 ERA. Awful numbers. Worst in the majors or close to it in every category. Improve significantly there, or see your playoff hopes perish. Signing journeyman reliever Nate Field was no solution. It might not be as simple as re-signing Joe Borowski, or recycling players such as Jose Mesa and Ron Villone. Why not give up prospects from the deep farm of arms and make a trade? Or make a run at coveted free agents? Available help is out there. Teams committed to improve, and willing to spend, are going to go get it. The Marlins need to be one of those. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...ll/16006394.htm Pitching depth might bring about trades By Juan C. Rodriguez South Florida Sun-Sentinel Posted November 13 2006 If the 2007 season started today, the Marlins would be perhaps the only team to know its starting rotation. That may not be indicative of their willingness to trade some of their surplus pitching. Click here to find out more! LocalLinks The front office enters this week's general managers meetings in Naples prepared but not compelled to move arms for a young, everyday outfielder like Brian Anderson, Willy Taveras, Matt Kemp, Chris Young or Chris Duffy. The organization's pitching depth, from the majors down to Class A, is its strength. General Manager Admin Beinfest wants to keep it that way. "We definitely don't have too much," Beinfest said. "I would say we're going to be very careful with it. ... I sound like a broken record, but it's our way to be successful long term and also near term." Among the reasons the Marlins weren't more successful last season was an unsettled center field. It's an area Beinfest will address, along with a bullpen that currently lacks a closer. Whether he'll use pitching to do so through trade should become clearer this week. Of foremost importance to Beinfest is making sure those needs are filled with players who project as well as the ones he'd trade. Don't look for the Marlins to dole out the money it would take to bring back Juan Pierre, and they're not fans of Coco Crisp or Lastings Milledge. "Obviously, not a lot of pieces at the major league level that we would be willing to part with, but we have some nice inventory in our system," Beinfest said. "If it's the right guy and the prospectability is equitable or we think it's going to be, I don't think we'll hesitate, but we're not looking to trade our pitching." Another reason Beinfest will exercise caution is one season does not make a career. Yes, the Marlins have a better feel for what their young pitchers can do, but in some cases projections remain difficult. "These guys need to show they can perform consistently and it's something we'll keep an eye on because 600 plate appearances or 25 major league starts really doesn't give you the whole picture of what they may or may not be," Beinfest said. AWARDS WEEK The Baseball Writers Association of America today will announce the Jackie Robinson American and National League Rookie of the Year award winners. Marlins double play partners Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez both can make compelling arguments. Uggla was a Rule 5 selection that made the All-Star team and set the big-league home run record for rookie second basemen. Ramirez made a late push, becoming the third rookie ever (first in the NL) to score at least 110 runs and steal 50 bases. If either Uggla or Ramirez doesn't win it, look for the award to go to Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Wednesday, deposed manager Joe Girardi could become the Marlins' second BBWAA Manager of the Year winner, joining Jack McKeon (2003). MAKING A CHANGE Miguel Cabrera, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time, is in the process of switching representation. The Players Association still lists Cabrera under the Reich, Katz and Landis firm, but he appears headed for SFX. That agency already represents several Latin superstars, including Alfonso Soriano, David Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero, Mariano Rivera, Miguel Tejada and Pedro Martinez. Juan Rodriguez can be reached at jcrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mar...la-sports-front
November 14, 200619 yr I want to know who provides Greg Cote with his info because clearly he doesn't have the faintest idea what he's talking about (and this coming from a guy who loves his work generally even when I disagree) - Vernon Wells, earth to GC, he's a free agent at the end of the season and will be making almost $6 million in 2007, or this line "Tampa Bay seems willing to part with highly regarded outfielder Carl Crawford for pitching prospects", c'mon Greg get a grip ! Gary Matthews, Jr., another free agent about to cash in big big time in free agency. Jose Mesa????? Kenny Lofton at probably $3 million?? Must be Maui Wowi and pass the pipe will ya Greg? Good sh*t. :hat
November 14, 200619 yr Author two things I liked best? Of foremost importance to Beinfest is making sure those needs are filled with players who project as well as the ones he'd trade. Don't look for the Marlins to dole out the money it would take to bring back Juan Pierre, and they're not fans of Coco Crisp or Lastings Milledge. "Obviously, not a lot of pieces at the major league level that we would be willing to part with, but we have some nice inventory in our system," Beinfest said. "If it's the right guy and the prospectability is equitable or we think it's going to be, I don't think we'll hesitate, but we're not looking to trade our pitching." and Despite speculation that the Marlins left-hander could be moved, a National League general manager said Monday that the Marlins are telling teams that Willis is not available.
November 14, 200619 yr Cabrera switching agents: On the verge of his first seven-figure contract, Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera is in the process of dumping his agent. Cabrera, who could make at least $5 million this winter in his first round of arbitration, has sent a termination letter to the Reich, Katz and Landis firm. He appears headed for SFX, whose clientele of Latin superstars includes Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz. :whistle
November 14, 200619 yr Author Buzz: Marlins Do Not Like Milledge by Matthew Cerrone at 02:32PM (EST) on November 13, 2006 | Permanent Link The Marlins will entertain trading LHP Dontrelle Willis in exchange for a premium center fielder and a pitcher, writes Joe Capozzi in the Palm Beach Post. However, in the Sun-Sentinel, Juan Rodriguez notes that the Marlins do not like Mets OF Lastings Milledge or Red Sox OF Coco Crisp, both of whom are young, play center field, and are bound to mentioned in rumors linked to Willis. Instead, the Marlins have interest in Pirates OF Chris Duffy, Astros OF Willy Taveras, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp and White Sox OF Brian Anderson. http://www.metsblog.com/blog/_archives/200...2.html#comments
November 14, 200619 yr Cabrera switching agents: On the verge of his first seven-figure contract, Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera is in the process of dumping his agent. Cabrera, who could make at least $5 million this winter in his first round of arbitration, has sent a termination letter to the Reich, Katz and Landis firm. He appears headed for SFX, whose clientele of Latin superstars includes Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz. :whistle :banghead :banghead :banghead
November 14, 200619 yr Buzz: Marlins Do Not Like Milledge by Matthew Cerrone at 02:32PM (EST) on November 13, 2006 | Permanent Link The Marlins will entertain trading LHP Dontrelle Willis in exchange for a premium center fielder and a pitcher, writes Joe Capozzi in the Palm Beach Post. However, in the Sun-Sentinel, Juan Rodriguez notes that the Marlins do not like Mets OF Lastings Milledge or Red Sox OF Coco Crisp, both of whom are young, play center field, and are bound to mentioned in rumors linked to Willis. Instead, the Marlins have interest in Pirates OF Chris Duffy, Astros OF Willy Taveras, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp and White Sox OF Brian Anderson. http://www.metsblog.com/blog/_archives/200...2.html#comments Out of that list, give me Brian Anderson.
November 14, 200619 yr Buzz: Marlins Do Not Like Milledge by Matthew Cerrone at 02:32PM (EST) on November 13, 2006 | Permanent Link The Marlins will entertain trading LHP Dontrelle Willis in exchange for a premium center fielder and a pitcher, writes Joe Capozzi in the Palm Beach Post. However, in the Sun-Sentinel, Juan Rodriguez notes that the Marlins do not like Mets OF Lastings Milledge or Red Sox OF Coco Crisp, both of whom are young, play center field, and are bound to mentioned in rumors linked to Willis. Instead, the Marlins have interest in Pirates OF Chris Duffy, Astros OF Willy Taveras, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp and White Sox OF Brian Anderson. http://www.metsblog.com/blog/_archives/200...2.html#comments Out of that list, give me Brian Anderson. Not unfortunately that was yesterday, Caprozzi has a different take today.
November 15, 200619 yr Author The word is that Florida Marlins' left-hander Dontrelle Willis will not be traded. Not yet, anyway. A National League GM told the Palm Beach Post Monday the Marlins are informing teams that Willis is not available. The Marlins will try to move pitchers such as Sergio Mitre, Jason Vargas or Yusmeiro Petit. Younger prospects such as Chris Volstad of Palm Beach Gardens are considered off limits http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AnGN...o&type=lgns
November 15, 200619 yr Buzz: Marlins Do Not Like Milledge by Matthew Cerrone at 02:32PM (EST) on November 13, 2006 | Permanent Link The Marlins will entertain trading LHP Dontrelle Willis in exchange for a premium center fielder and a pitcher, writes Joe Capozzi in the Palm Beach Post. However, in the Sun-Sentinel, Juan Rodriguez notes that the Marlins do not like Mets OF Lastings Milledge or Red Sox OF Coco Crisp, both of whom are young, play center field, and are bound to mentioned in rumors linked to Willis. Instead, the Marlins have interest in Pirates OF Chris Duffy, Astros OF Willy Taveras, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp and White Sox OF Brian Anderson. http://www.metsblog.com/blog/_archives/200...2.html#comments Out of that list, give me Brian Anderson. If Brian is going anywhere i hope its the Marlins, BP did a article about how good his glove is, simply put its GG, and his upside is Torii, hes in Ozzies dog house for some reason though.
November 15, 200619 yr Author YANKEES Spending spree unlikely BY KEN DAVIDOFF Newsday Staff Correspondent November 15, 2006 NAPLES, Fla. - As long as George Steinbrenner doesn't impose his irrational whims on anyone - and it has been more than a year now since he last did so - the Yankees will not react to losing out on Daisuke Matsuzaka with a high-priced signing. Instead, the Yankees, focused on lowering their payroll from last season's $200-plus million, will look to middle-level free agents and aggressively explore the trade market. With that in mind, the Yankees have held internal discussions about acquiring Dontrelle Willis from Florida, and they are likely to contact the Marlins, if they haven't already, about the charismatic lefthander. But they are a long shot to acquire Willis. The Yankees will soon announce a two-year contract worth about $25 million for Mike Mussina, whose $17-million team option must be declined today. "We're almost at the finish line," Arn Tellem, Mussina's agent, said yesterday. Any Yankees trade package for Willis would probably have to include Melky Cabrera, as the Marlins' greatest need is an affordable centerfielder. The Marlins have indicated they don't want to raise their payroll significantly from last season's $15 million, and Willis, who turns 25 in January, is due for a big raise in arbitration - approaching 100 percent - from his 2006 salary of $4.35 million. Florida does have an abundance of starting pitchers, although none matches Willis' experience and, therefore, salary. Of course, if the Marlins were to make Willis available, the Yankees would likely trail the Diamondbacks, Dodgers and probably even the Mets (Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman) in the quality of package they could offer. Yankees and White Sox officials ate dinner together last night at the general managers' meetings, and the White Sox are shopping all of their starting pitchers. The Yankees know two of those pitchers, Jose Contreras and Javier Vazquez, too well, however, and probably wouldn't want to bring them back. Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia and Jon Garland can also be had. On the free-agent market, the Yankees are more likely to let other teams spend the most on Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito, while taking a greater look at pitchers such as Miguel Batista, Adam Eaton, Woody Williams and Randy Wolf. They want to continue to create roster and payroll flexibility while growing their improving farm system. http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition...ny-sports-print
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