F@B: Rumors

Posted: July 31st, 2008

Seems like everyone now thinks the Manny Ramirez deal is dead. The hangups range from the Marlins not willing to give up better prospects to the Marlins demanding more cash to John Henry hating the deal. We’ll know for sure in about 2 hours.

Update: Jason Bay is about to go to Tampa so the 3-way Manny deal is dead as currently constituted.

Update 2: Now it looks like the Pirates and Red Sox cut the Marlins out of the deal and closed it with LA instead. Alas, it was fun while it lasted.

As Seen In: Rumors, Trades

Posted: July 31st, 2008

If Manny wasn’t enough, looks like the Marlins are serious about Bengie Molina and offered a trade that I think many fans will sign up for in a heartbeat. This from the Palm Beach Post:

In other trade talk, the Marlins reportedly are talking to San Francisco about sending first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Giants for catcher Bengie Molina.

For all the negatives Fish fans see in Jacobs, he is a nice player who could hit quite a few bombs into the Cove. Let’s hope the Giants feel the same way because this would be a nice deal for both teams. This will allow Jorge Cantu to move to his newly discovered position at first base and also allow the Marlins to bring up Dallas McPherson who leads the whole baseball universe in home runs.

As Seen In: Rumors, Trades

Posted: July 30th, 2008

Yes, the media is exploding with rumors of Manny Ramirez being traded to the Marlins. Best source I can find is MLBTR which has been updating these rumors regularly.

Marlins GM Mike Hill had to cancel his appearance on tonight’s broadcast so let the speculation continue.

Update: Of course, Mike Berardino says NFW

Update 2: So the Red Sox want Jeremy Hermida, Ryan Tucker, and Mike Stanton (Jason Stark / ESPN). Two good prospects sounds expensive for a rental player.

Update 3: My take on Ken Rosenthal’s latest update that the Fish will not include Stanton: The Marlins are seriously talking about acquiring Manny Ramirez.

Update 4: Here is what was supposudly submmited to the Commisioner’s office for approval:

Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (BOS), and cash (likely Ramirez’s remaining salary)
Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two FLO, one BOS)
Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow

Update 5: Nice dramatic feel in this writeup by the Palm Beach Post.

As Seen In: Rumors, Trades

Posted: May 16th, 2008

A fan over at the MarlinsBaseball Forums says he received the flyer below at his home calling fans to the Orange Bowl area Saturday at 11 AM. Seeing that the Marlins, the City, and the County are all listed, it makes one wonder whether the ballpark will be revealed. It is also a good opportunity to announce Hanley Ramirez’s new contract.

As Seen In: Ballpark, News, Players, Rumors

Posted: May 16th, 2008

Bugs & Cranks takes a different approach towards the Jacque Jones rumors:

Florida Marlins, do not view these clubs as your peers. You have something they don’t from the 21st century: a World Series championship. So what if Josh Willingham’s health is suspect at this point? Call up Cameron Maybin! He needs a reason to get those braces off, why not make it a cup of coffee in the major leagues? Don’t stoop to the levels of lesser organizations. I tried really hard to write that with a straight face, it didn’t work. Give Cody Ross more playing time. Throw Wes Helms out there, he’ll do anything for those spicy nachos. Why settle for what another team with a bad record doesn’t want? Florida Marlins, you’re the team with the great record, so have some pride! If you want to bring in a veteran whose production at this point is suspect, I don’t know, try the guy sitting on your bench. The Albatross himself has got to be good for something.

Link:  Pump the Brakes!!!

As Seen In: Covering the Coverage, Rumors

Posted: March 20th, 2008

Joe Frisaro is reporting that there are grumblings in the clubhouse that Jose Castillo will not make the team.

It’s clear that Jorge Cantu had a great Spring and Dallas McPherson is injured. I’m wondering whether the Fish think Cantu and Alfredo Amezaga will play 3rd and then have Jason Wood backup first. Regardless it’s a bit surprising.

Update: The Marlins just placed him on waivers; we will have to wait and see if someone picks him up; for now he’s still with the team.

As Seen In: Players, Rumors, Spring Training 2008

Posted: March 20th, 2008

MLBTR speculates that the Marlins are looking to trade for another starter. We know Sergio Mitre is out and Scott Olsen is slow to recover but is it worth trading away Mike Jacobs or some younger talent to get one of these guys?

potentially available starters include Kyle Snyder, Kei Igawa, Dave Bush, Claudio Vargas, Jason Marquis, Daniel Cabrera, Matt Morris, Woody Williams, Matt Belisle, Justin Germano, Anthony Reyes, Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, and Gustavo Chacin.

BTW, I don’t buy the salary argument. If the Fish found a meaningful starter who has a multi-million dollar salary, I’m sure ownership would make it’s infamous one-player salary splurge.

As Seen In: Rumors, Trades

Posted: January 31st, 2008

I think the Marlins want to make sure they get third base right. Rotoworld is reporting that Dallas McPherson is now a Fish.

If I’m mistaken, the Fish essentially signed all three guys they considered for the vacancy at third. Dallas will fight for third base job with Jorge Cantu and Jose Castillo.

Update: It’s official — 1-year deal worth $425,000. Chris Seddon was designated for assignment.

As Seen In: News, Players, Rumors

Posted: January 31st, 2008

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Marlins have lured Luis Gonzalez with a one-year $2 million deal (including an additional $1 million in incentives).

Gonzalez, 40, is expected to fill a combination of roles, including left field and first base, and serve as a mentor for the Marlins’ younger players.

Interesting that he is saying left field, meaning the Marlins are serious about giving Maybin the starting CF job.

Gonzo has slowed down significantly over the last couple of years but the team is hoping he provides depth and most importantly veteran leadership.

As Seen In: News, Players, Rumors

Posted: January 3rd, 2008

We’re back after a nice holiday break and we lead off with the news that the Marlins are not done adding players.

With Jose Castillo on board, the Fish are close to adding Jorge Cantu to the mix. Cantu has had some good and some bad in his brief MLB career:

Cantu broke in with Tampa Bay in 2004, and his best season was ‘05, when he batted .286 with 28 home runs and 117 RBIs.

It’s not clear whether the Marlins will continue to pursue free agent Dallas McPherson. Some have speculated that Jose Castillo still needs some more experience in the minors but on the other hand, McPherson may not want to compete for a job when he has a chance to start somewhere else.

Update: Cantu is signed. 1-year deal worth $500,000.

As Seen In: News, Rumors