F@B: Rumors

Posted: November 7th, 2009

MLBTradeRumors is reporting that the Marlins are a surprise entrant in the chase for the young Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman.

MLBTR has learned of a surprising suitor for free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman: the Marlins. They intend to submit an offer and hope to meet Chapman this month. Offers began rolling in for Chapman last week.

Chapman is only 21 and is looking for a major upfront signing bonus which is not something the Marlins like to do. That being said, he is as good as signing the first pick in the draft and could be a great long-term investment. Chapman could also serve as a marketing tool to drive more Cuban-Americans to Marlins game, just a few seasons before the Fish move to Little Havana. My guess, the Yankees, Red Sox or Dodgers overpay despite a strong push by the Marlins.

As Seen In: Rumors

Posted: September 23rd, 2009

Barry Jackson is reporting that the Marlins are planning to offer Josh Johnson a multi-year deal:

The Marlins plan to make a multiyear offer to Josh Johnson, who’s eligible for free agency after 2011, and we hear he would be receptive to a four-year, $50 million deal. But it would be surprising if Florida offered that much over four years. In arbitration, Johnson could get $4 million-plus this winter and $10 million-plus next. If he doesn’t sign an extension, “our expectation is he will sign one of the two or three biggest free agent contracts ever for a pitcher,” agent Matt Sosnick said.

Sosnick has been suggesting for some time that JJ will command a huge deal and with the Yankees and Red Sox always looking to overpay for pitching, it’s not a stretch. But, if the Marlins can buy out his remaining two arbitration years and then lock him up for two more, that could be a big win for the organization, assuming he stays healthy and continues pitching at a high level.

As Seen In: Josh Johnson, Players, Rumors

Posted: August 19th, 2009

The New York Post is suggesting that the Marlins may be looking for another hitter and Gary Sheffield may be a good fit:

Sheffield, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs in the Mets’ eight-run, 10-hit fourth inning, has been taking care of himself and his teammates all season. He’s batting .290 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 245 at-bats. He certainly would be a formidable weapon for a contender in need of a right-handed bat.

According to industry sources, Florida and Texas are in search of such a commodity. As an NL team, the Marlins, for whom Sheffield played from 1993 to 1998, would get their shot at a claim before the Rangers.

While I think the Fish may be better off with another starting pitcher, the choices are slim. Despite the latest offensive surge, having another clutch hitter could be very helpful.

As Seen In: Players, Rumors

Posted: August 6th, 2009

The Fish have formally requested that MLB award the 2015 All-Star Game to the new ballpark in Miami. While MLB usually waits a few years before awarding games to new parks and the team has denied any promise, you have to wonder if there was a wink or a nod from MLB during the negotiation process with the City and County. Regardless, it would be a great way to celebrate the relaunch of baseball in South Florida.

As Seen In: All-Star, News, Rumors

Posted: February 5th, 2009

After hearing that the Fish have no chance of signing Pudge Rodriguez, we are obviously not too surprised to find out that it’s all a ploy to convince the still-unsigned catcher to return at a huge discount. Pudge is looking for something around $5 millions while the Marlins could see an incentive-based $1 million deal.

The question is if Rodriguez’ is willing to accept a six-figure base salary and modest incentive package. The source said even though owner Jeffrey Loria is on board with a Rodriguez reunion, it would have to happen for around $1 million, including performance bonuses.

No doubt that Pudge will be an upgrade from Rabelo so let’s hope this dry market, which has left several big name players without a contract, allows an opportunistic front office to bring him back.

As Seen In: Offseason Moves, Pudge Rodriguez, Rumors

Posted: January 27th, 2009

Enjoy Miami Marlins fans (click for larger versions):

As Seen In: Ballpark, Rumors

Posted: November 10th, 2008

Peter Gammons and Ken Rosenthal are reporting that the Marlins have sent Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, right-hander P.J. Dean and outfielder Jake Smolinski.

We are quite surprised by this trade because I always assumed the Marlins would get more for Olsen (for some reason we feel like Willingham is a throw-in).

Rosenthal adds:

The addition of Bonifacio will enable the team to move Dan Uggla to third base. Smolinski, 19, is coming off reconstructive knee surgery. He was the Nationals’ second-round pick in the 2007 draft and Dean was their seventh rounder out of New Caney (Texas) High School that same year.

I guess Bonifacio brings speed and defense but he’s still a career .240 hitter so I wonder how the Marlins plan to make up for his offense. Also, if Dan Uggla ends up at third does it mean that Jorge Cantu will end up at first base with Dallas McPherson and Wes Helms coming off the bench?

Whenever the Marlins make a trade that doesn’t seem to make sense, we always close our eyes, take a deep breath and say: “In Larry We Trust”

Update: It’s official.

Update 2: More info on the players we received.

As Seen In: News, Rumors, Trades

Posted: October 30th, 2008

MLB sources tell both The Kansas City Star and Joe Frisaro of MLB.com that the Marlins are on the verge of sending Mike Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for right-handed reliever Leo Nunez.

According to a league source, the Marlins are close to trading first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Royals for right-handed reliever Leo Nunez.

The source said on Wednesday night that players have been agreed upon, and the deal could be consummated in the next few days.

The Marlins wanted minor league prospect Carlos Rosa but his health was a major concern so they seemed to have settled on Nunez, who has a decent track record:

The Marlins are looking for bullpen help, and Nunez is a 25-year-old from the Dominican Republic who appeared in 45 games during the ‘08 season. Nunez posted a 4-1 record with a 2.98 ERA while logging 48 1/3 innings.

Nunez could end up as the setup man in the 7th or 8th inning.

Update: It’s now official.

As Seen In: News, Offseason Moves, Rumors, Trades

Posted: October 26th, 2008

It’s now clear that the Marlins will focus on trading Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen and Kevin Gregg. In fact, one trade almost happened:

The Marlins, who had a $22 million payroll in 2008, wanted to deal Jacobs to Kansas City, but the deal died last week because of a medical issue involving the minor-league pitcher that Florida would have received. The Marlins also spoke to Toronto and San Francisco about Jacobs.

As for Dan Uggla, it looks like the Fish will keep him:

”They haven’t put Uggla out there” — though several teams inquired. The Marlins have decided they value Uggla’s power and run production and it ”will take an insanely high offer” to move him, one official said.

Gaby Sanchez will probably get a chance to win the first base job in the spring but if he falters, expect Jorge Cantu at first and Dallas McPherson at third.

Also, on other front:

One official said the Marlins are still mulling whether to trade or keep Jeremy Hermida and/or Josh Willingham (both arbitration-eligible), but Beinfest wouldn’t discuss that. ”There is still a lot of upside to Hermida,” Beinfest said. ”Willingham, hopefully his back will be healthy.” Several teams inquired about Hermida. Beinfest — speaking in general — said there has been “a lot of interest in our players.”

With Hermida’s underwhelming performance and Willingham’s back, you have to wonder if anyone will offer anything meaningful for either one.

As Seen In: News, Offseason Moves, Rumors, Trades

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