The most likely scenario, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, has Miami signing one pitcher in free agency and trading for another. Frisaro pointed out that Miami "covets" James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland A's.

[...]

Regardless, Gonzalez would still require a strong package, including at least one young power bat, which has been a weakness on the Athletics' roster. Marlins' left fielder Logan Morrison may fit that mold, but there are indications that Morrison is not going to be shopped this winter.

 

- http://insider.espn....features/rumors

 

A young, meat of the lineup, left-handed bat is nice to have - considering Logan hasn't reached his prime yet. I'd hate to see him blossom in another uniform. That being said, I believe the Marlins have plenty to offer. Considering they are willing to fill holes through free agency and trades, why not sell high on some of these prospects, packaged with Major League players w/ base salary control. Given the A's history, they would want a lot of club controlled young players in return, generally arms. Here is what I think we have to offer:

Arms:

Ceda

BHand

Volstad

Nolasco (too much $ for Oakland)

Koehler

Sanabia

West

Oviedo

The remainder of our Farm

 

Dangle Cogs and Dominguez, possibly a few more players - Peterson, Skipworth (classic low risk, high reward), Wes Helms ghost

 

You think a combination of any of those 4/5 would get a deal done to bring Gio back to SoFla?

 

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see...

 

Had it coming sooner or later lol

Exactly. Our most valuable player to trade to the A's is Logan Morrison. He fits what they want to a T.

Exactly. Our most valuable player to trade to the A's is Logan Morrison. He fits what they want to a T.

 

 

Doesn't look like the Marlins are willing to do that, and rightfully so... Especially if we sign Buehrle. Moving Logan for Gio fills a void and gives us a hell of a rotation, yes. But by solving that problem, you create another issue just as big by having ZERO left-handed hitters in the heart of the order. I just don't see the point of fixing one issue by creating another. Our rotation will be pretty darn solid with or w/o Gio, and if we get Buehrle we don't NEED to lock-up a left-handed front line starter.

 

BOTTOMLINE: Dealing LoMo for Gio gives us a frontline rotation and a big hole in the heart of the order. Dealing Gaby and/or prospect(s) for a #3-5 starter will make/keep this team SOLID around the horn. I'll take the latter.

A rotation of JJ, Buehrle, Gio, Anibal, and Nolasco is one of the top in the NL for sure. If we sign either Reyes or Pujols we replace Logan's bat with a much better bat, which means our offense improves. That puts us in contention for the playoffs. Not to mention the fact that Logan doesn't belong on this team with his attitude. I say pull the trigger.

A rotation of JJ, Buehrle, Gio, Anibal, and Nolasco is one of the top in the NL for sure. If we sign either Reyes or Pujols we replace Logan's bat with a much better bat, which means our offense improves. That puts us in contention for the playoffs. Not to mention the fact that Logan doesn't belong on this team with his attitude. I say pull the trigger.

 

 

First, don't count your chickens on us getting Pujols.

 

Say we do sign Reyes and move Logan for Gio, you really think Reyes' production is going to make up for Logan's? They are completely different players. Reyes is the kind of guy who gets on base, Logan is the kind of guy that knocks him in. You remove Logan from that equation, and you're likely to drive in less runs. Reyes is the kind of offensive threat that improves a lineup by giving it more opportunity to score. But you can't capitalize on that without guys like Logan who bring 'em home.

 

Does adding Buehrle AND Gio give us a top 5 rotation in baseball? Yes. Is it worth giving up the only left-handed threat in our lineup, and a potential .300/30/100 hitter that will be dirt cheap for years to come? Absolutely not... Not when you have a guy like Gaby available to move for a 3-5 starter that will suffice. Even then our rotation is very good.

Gaby's not getting you a #3 starter. Not close.

i think hand, ceda, gaby, and maybe like a daniel jennings or someone like that would get gio.

 

Not even close. Plus, Jennings was awful last year and has a PED 50-game suspension under his belt.

 

rob rasmussen? chad james?

Gaby's not getting you a #3 starter. Not close.

 

 

That's the thing - I don't think it is necessarily going to be a "Gaby's package"

 

If there is a package involving Gaby, Matty D, and Chad James, who is the most valuable there for the A's? Likely one of the latter 2. Gaby is just a solid, MLB ready piece that we can give back to a team who is lacking a solid 1st baseman (like the A's). Chad James could easily become a #3 starter like Gio is in a few years. And Matt can hold down 3rd base already, he just needs to develop the bat.

 

Like others have been saying - LoMo should be off the table. And the FO recognizes that, despite what "issues" they may have. Samson even said the media blew the whole thing out of proportion. Let's just dangle Gaby and make the best of what's around.

I very much disagree that Lomo should be off the table, and it has nothing to do with the issues.

 

It's that, as long as we have Gaby or another 1B (Pujols, for instance,) he has far more value to us in trade than he does playing for us, because he'll be stuck playing a position he's terrible at.

I don't see either LoMo or Gaby being trade bait, as they're part of the team's core of players. If hell freezes over and Albert Pujols chooses Miami, then Gaby - who was part of the new uniform fashion show - is a goner. Otherwise I'm not so sure.

 

I also heard a new idea today -- bringing Cody Ross back to play in CF. But that was just some talking head on 790 the Ticket.

Gio Gonzalez has is a low-3s ERA guy in the NL. That is NOT a #3 starter. Chad James is extremely unlikely to become nearly that good.

 

Bobbob's point about LoMo's limited value as a left fielder is really important.

 

And just because this team might be a competitor with a couple of signings, I am really not a fan of destroying what little farm system we have. Even if we have a $100MM payroll regularly, we will definitely still need young players to fill in the gaps. Some of these trades seem highly irresponsible when considering the Marlins' long-term well-being.

Exactly. Our most valuable player to trade to the A's is Logan Morrison. He fits what they want to a T.

 

 

Doesn't look like the Marlins are willing to do that, and rightfully so... Especially if we sign Buehrle. Moving Logan for Gio fills a void and gives us a hell of a rotation, yes. But by solving that problem, you create another issue just as big by having ZERO left-handed hitters in the heart of the order. I just don't see the point of fixing one issue by creating another. Our rotation will be pretty darn solid with or w/o Gio, and if we get Buehrle we don't NEED to lock-up a left-handed front line starter.

 

BOTTOMLINE: Dealing LoMo for Gio gives us a frontline rotation and a big hole in the heart of the order. Dealing Gaby and/or prospect(s) for a #3-5 starter will make/keep this team SOLID around the horn. I'll take the latter.

 

I doubt Gaby Sanchez gets you a number three starter. Plus, I don't think Morrison is as valuable as you make him out to be. Could he be a great hitter? Yea. But as of now, he isn't a left handed threat that will knock in Reyes. Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton will do that.

 

We can always turn around and trade Nolasco for LFer if we acquire Gio Gonzalez.

I don't see either LoMo or Gaby being trade bait, as they're part of the team's core of players. If hell freezes over and Albert Pujols chooses Miami, then Gaby - who was part of the new uniform fashion show - is a goner. Otherwise I'm not so sure.

 

I also heard a new idea today -- bringing Cody Ross back to play in CF. But that was just some talking head on 790 the Ticket.

 

 

We all know the chant>>>>>Cody! Cody! Cody! Although I like Cody don't you think he burned that bridge when he left? Also not necessarily like his streakiness. But he sure was a hard worker and great in outfield.

I don't see either LoMo or Gaby being trade bait, as they're part of the team's core of players. If hell freezes over and Albert Pujols chooses Miami, then Gaby - who was part of the new uniform fashion show - is a goner. Otherwise I'm not so sure.

 

I also heard a new idea today -- bringing Cody Ross back to play in CF. But that was just some talking head on 790 the Ticket.

 

 

We all know the chant>>>>>Cody! Cody! Cody! Although I like Cody don't you think he burned that bridge when he left? Also not necessarily like his streakiness. But he sure was a hard worker and great in outfield.

 

Oh, I wasn't necessarily advocating for his return, I just heard someone suggest that on the radio today. He'll always be a fan favorite. And I'd say the Marlins were the ones who really burned the bridge when they dealt him.

Exactly. Our most valuable player to trade to the A's is Logan Morrison. He fits what they want to a T.

 

 

Doesn't look like the Marlins are willing to do that, and rightfully so... Especially if we sign Buehrle. Moving Logan for Gio fills a void and gives us a hell of a rotation, yes. But by solving that problem, you create another issue just as big by having ZERO left-handed hitters in the heart of the order. I just don't see the point of fixing one issue by creating another. Our rotation will be pretty darn solid with or w/o Gio, and if we get Buehrle we don't NEED to lock-up a left-handed front line starter.

 

BOTTOMLINE: Dealing LoMo for Gio gives us a frontline rotation and a big hole in the heart of the order. Dealing Gaby and/or prospect(s) for a #3-5 starter will make/keep this team SOLID around the horn. I'll take the latter.

 

I doubt Gaby Sanchez gets you a number three starter. Plus, I don't think Morrison is as valuable as you make him out to be. Could he be a great hitter? Yea. But as of now, he isn't a left handed threat that will knock in Reyes. Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton will do that.

 

We can always turn around and trade Nolasco for LFer if we acquire Gio Gonzalez.

 

Ashraf, I don't mean to pick on you I'm just using your quote, but everyone here needs to use some glasses and read a little better.

 

I said Gaby, AND/OR prospect(S), for a #3-TO-5 starter. If you don't think Gaby alone is worth a #5 MLB starter you're crazy, because that's not far from Chris Volstad.

 

I think you guys are HIGHLY underestimating Gaby's value. Still in his 20's, MLB All-Star, GG nominee, the guy is going to drive in 80-100 runs and hit around 20 HR a year. I think someone said his WAR was better than any NL 1B not names Pujols, Howard, or Fielder last year? BEST OF ALL: He's still dirt cheap and under club control for many, many years...

 

I'm not implying Gio is a #3 starter by ANY means, but if a team like Oakland that has no money or depth at 1B has a chance to get a guy like Gaby for a #3-4 starter, they probably jump on it. Again, Gio is not that guy, but I'm trying to show you guys that Gaby certainly has a lot of value to a lot of clubs that need some cheap offense for a few years.

WC: you said Gaby + others in your earlier post, but you didn't below. You can't really expect people to remember every comment you've made if you're not consistent. So, you certainly did say Gaby + prospects, but I think you can see why people are saying otherwise. It's not just because they have problems reading or are trying to ignore you.

 

Does adding Buehrle AND Gio give us a top 5 rotation in baseball? Yes. Is it worth giving up the only left-handed threat in our lineup, and a potential .300/30/100 hitter that will be dirt cheap for years to come? Absolutely not... Not when you have a guy like Gaby available to move for a 3-5 starter that will suffice. Even then our rotation is very good.

Trading Morrison just makes a lot more sense for the team (A's): Younger than Gaby, has a higher value on the market, can play 1B or LF, is also under team control for the next couple of years.

 

What I'd be curious to see is if the A's trade would also include Nolasco. Isn't Nolasco one of those pitchers that the metrics centered people like?

 

Gio is an upgrade over Nolasco for us and for the A's they get a major league ready pitcher to replace Gio in the rotation. Of course in that scenario I assume the A's would throw in a position player as well, perhaps a minor leaguer.

I don't see either LoMo or Gaby being trade bait, as they're part of the team's core of players. If hell freezes over and Albert Pujols chooses Miami, then Gaby - who was part of the new uniform fashion show - is a goner. Otherwise I'm not so sure.

 

I also heard a new idea today -- bringing Cody Ross back to play in CF. But that was just some talking head on 790 the Ticket.

 

Considering that the Marlins seem to want a starter who will at least make somewhat of an impact, they'll have to trade one of the "core" players because there isn't much depth in the minor leagues.

 

If they want Gonzalez, they'll probably have to start with Morrison or a package of Dominguez and Gaby (and I'm skeptical that's even enough as centerpieces).

Trading Morrison just makes a lot more sense for the team (A's): Younger than Gaby, has a higher value on the market, can play 1B or LF, is also under team control for the next couple of years.

 

What I'd be curious to see is if the A's trade would also include Nolasco. Isn't Nolasco one of those pitchers that the metrics centered people like?

 

Gio is an upgrade over Nolasco for us and for the A's they get a major league ready pitcher to replace Gio in the rotation. Of course in that scenario I assume the A's would throw in a position player as well, perhaps a minor leaguer.

 

Maybe I'm one of the few , but I'm honestly not all that crazy about giving up LoMo. Losing a left handed bat w/ some pop in the lineup. I like Gaby a lot, but think I'd rather move him if we're trading for a quality starter.

I'm not saying we should trade Morrison, I just think if we are going to go after someone like Gio, Morrison would have to be part of the trade.

Obviously most would rather trade Gaby. He just doesn't get you nearly as much in return. This seems to be tough for some people to grasp, but it's undoubtedly true.

Juan C. Rodriguez via Twitter:

 

Q: "If the Marlins get Gio, do they need Buerhle? Or a cheaper right hander like [Edwin] Jackson?"

A: They want two starters, and Jackson isn't going to be cheap.

 

Q: Do you think Bonifacio is going to be a starter next season?

A: Yes.

@SI_JonHeyman:

Among teams interested in huston street are bluejays, o's, marlins, redsox, reds and mets (tho geren feud is deterrent)

@SI_JonHeyman:

Among teams interested in huston street are bluejays, o's, marlins, redsox, reds and mets (tho geren feud is deterrent)

 

 

Easier at this point to say who we're not interested in.

@SI_JonHeyman:

Among teams interested in huston street are bluejays, o's, marlins, redsox, reds and mets (tho geren feud is deterrent)

 

Why not?! Admin is on point, haha.