The Florida Marlins won the World Series as a wild card team, with the game's 20th highest payroll, while playing in a football stadium in a town where jai alai typically generates as much interest as baseball. They did it behind a manager born during the Hoover administration and a 23-year-old pitching sensation who won the clincher at Yankee Stadium on three days' rest.

 

If you think that storyline was far-fetched, here's something even more incredible: This winter, the Marlins actually have high-quality starting pitching to trade.

 

If A.J. Burnett returns from an elbow injury in spring training, Florida will have six bona fide starters. That's a luxury for anyone, but particularly a team that has a slew of arbitration-eligibles and free agents and is trying to keep its budget under control.

 

Josh Beckett and Dontrelle Willis aren't going anywhere, and while Boston's John Henry ownership group loves the idea of bringing Burnett to the Red Sox, there's no rush to trade for a pitcher who is seven months removed from Tommy John surgery.

 

That leaves Florida General Manger Admin Beinfest with the option of trading Mark Redman, Carl Pavano or Brad Penny to reduce payroll and pick up some young talent this offseason. Which one will be dealt? Flip a coin.

 

There's not much to choose among the three, money-wise. Redman made $2.15 million, Penny $1.87 million and Pavano $1.5 million this season. All three are eligible for salary arbitration in the spring. Pavano will be a free agent in a year, while Redman and Penny arrive in the winter of 2005.

 

Redman is the oldest of the three at 29. Pavano is 27, and Penny 25.

 

Redman, who always has had a reputation as "soft," took steps toward dispelling that knock by going 14-9 in 190 innings. He pitched poorly in his last two postseason starts, but as a finesse lefty, he's the ideal complement to Florida's hard-throwing righties.

 

Pavano, a career 39-50, stayed off the disabled list for the second straight year and won a career-high 12 games. Then he accepted a demotion to the bullpen with class in the playoffs and performed extremely well against the Yankees in the World Series.

 

Penny, a former hot prospect with Arizona, went 14-10 and beat the Yankees twice in the World Series. If not for Beckett, he would have been Series MVP.

 

One National League general manager didn't hesitate when asked what direction Florida should take.

 

"I think they'll move Redman," the GM said. "His value is at its peak right now, and it's time to move him. I'd talk about trading him or Pavano, but not Penny. He's a horse."

 

Penny needs to be a horse just to carry all that baggage. In the 1999 Diamondbacks' media guide, he's listed at 6-4 and 200 pounds. This year he checked in at 6-4, 250. At this rate, he'll soon be a human expansion franchise.

 

Penny also doesn't win many points for clubhouse demeanor. He's always been overly emotional, and in the words of one agent with ties to the Marlins, has a reputation as a "me-first" player. But one Marlins official said Penny benefited from playing a season under McKeon, who refused to coddle Florida's young starters.

 

"Maybe he turned the corner," the official said. "When he came out of high school people said, 'There's tension in his motion, and he's going to break down,' or, 'He's heavy. Maybe he doesn't work hard.' But not too many pitchers throw 98 in the seventh inning. And how many guys beat the Yankees twice?"

 

Even if non-tender-mania runs rampant this winter, it's hard to envision the Marlins not offering a contract to Penny, Pavano or Redman by the Dec. 20 deadline. When trade scenarios play out, the choice ultimately could come down to which pitcher fetches the best trade package in return.

 

Beinfest and his personnel people have an interesting call to make. Judging from the results this season, they'll probably make the right one.

Hey Ramp, who was the author?

By Jerry Crasnick

ESPN Insider

You've GOTTA love that last line.

 

I'd deal Redman... what would you guys do?

If they keep AJ, I wouldn't deal anyone til AJ is ready to come back.

Redman

I wouldn't deal AJ...

 

It just sounds so wrong.

I would deal Redman.

You can't deal AJ. It just isn't right. When AJ is back in the rotation, I think they will deal Big Red.

I'd deal Red in a minute.

 

Penny if the right name came into play

Redman will be moved. He did a great job with us but he doesnt fit into our rotation. I wouldnt trade Penny or Pavz. They had a very solid season and are still VERY young. Let them stay and see what they do this season.

To be different, I'd keep Big Red just because he's a finesse lefty and trade Pavz...

To be different, I'd keep Big Red just because he's a finesse lefty and trade Pavz...

Nah, keep Pavano. I would like to see more of Alyssa Milano if she goes to the games. :shifty

I'd definitely trade Redman. I still think everyone else on the staff can get better, I think he's peaked.

I Like Pavano very much. He has proven he can keep us in the all games. He led the marlins in Lowest walks allowed.

 

Redman should be the one traded.

I would never trade AJ Burnett.

 

Brad Penny is set to have a huge year in 2004.

 

Ditto for Carl Pavano.

 

Redman is a workhorse, and he's coming off a career year. He's also the most expensive and the oldest of the four.

 

What would you do?

redman is better than pavano

pavano did better in the playoffs but look at the reg. season.

redman is better than pavano

pavano did better in the playoffs but look at the reg. season.

Don't let statistics fool you.

 

Pavano is better.

Nah, keep Pavano. I would like to see more of Alyssa Milano if she goes to the games. :shifty

Keep Pavz... Trade Red. :shifty

pavano better than redman?

pavano was only good in the playoffs

if it wasnt for redman we prob. wouldnt have made it to the playoffs.

Pavano over Red, easy decision there.

 

Pavano:

- Younger

- Team Leader in Quality Starts

- Lowest inning/walks ratio of the team

- Was a monster during 2003 Playoff Season

- Lead team in inning pitched. Not sure, I think

 

I think Pavano will get a lot better during 2004. And should be a lot more confident after this playoffs

I don't see why they'd trade Burnett. He's young, he won't cost that much- those are the two things the Marlins are looking for. Plus, he's got a LOT of upside.

pavano better than redman?

pavano was only good in the playoffs

if it wasnt for redman we prob. wouldnt have made it to the playoffs.

Pavano was only good in the playoffs?

 

Let me see your hand so I can stamp it.

 

"BANDWAGON"

 

Next...?

They shouldnt even think about trading him. Watch when the season starts, they are going to regret even TALKING about traded him. He is very young with so much potential at his young career.

 

He and Beckett will be our aces for a long time, thats for sure.

so pavano was better than redman in the reg. season???