• Miami Herald: Marlins to Offer Josh Johnson a Deal

  • 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.

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  • Photo by Flickr user DJClear904

  • Hanley and Uggla Brawl

  • Well, they didn’t throw punches but Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla got into a nasty fight before today’s game and it all centered around Hanley’s hamstring.

    From the Sun-Sentinel:

    “A couple of the guys did like this when I came out,” said Ramirez, throwing his arms up in the air. “I’m not happy with the team.”

    Overhearing Ramirez, Uggla chimed in: “I was one of them.”

    Addressing the reporter, Ramirez answered: “You got it. Showed me up.”

    From that point, Ramirez and Uggla continued exchanging barbs. The altercation never escalated beyond the verbal back-and-forth, but they were shouting by the time manager Fredi Gonzalez emerged and politely asked the three reporters present to vacate the clubhouse about three minutes after the argument began.

    On one hand, if a couple of the guys questioned Hanley, you have to wonder if there’s more to it. Remember, Hanley has been called out before for not hustling. On the other hand, you don’t show off a teammate like that and it didn’t seem like anyone complained 14 at-bats ago when Hanley was still hitting.

    Perhaps we’re just seeing frustrations from the recent losses and rapidly declining playoff chances. Today’s effort will tell us whether the team is about to give up or can use this as catalyst to turn things around.

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  • Volstad to AAA

  • After another miserable start, the Marlins have optioned Chris Volstad to AAA. Gaby Sanchez was also sent down and two relievers, likely a Luis Ayala and Tim Wood will be called up (DStro with that scoop). What is unclear is who will take Volstad’s start spot. Burke Badenhop could be back or perhaps the Fish will be able to acquire Brad Penny.

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  • Sheffield Rumors: Marlins Looking for Another Bat?

  • 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.

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  • Where Are They Now: Eric Ludwick

  • Lost in an article about Ed O’Bannon selling cars is that one of his co-workers is none other than former Marlin Eric Ludwick.

    Early on, O’Bannon was befriended by a soft-spoken Findlay salesman named Eric Ludwick, who could understand his pain like few others. Ludwick, who had been at Findlay for two years when O’Bannon showed up, was a former UNLV pitcher who spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues. Like O’Bannon, he entered pro ball as a phenom — he was a second-round draft pick in 1993 and was once traded for Mark McGwire — and like O’Bannon, he had been forced to go overseas, in his case to Japan, to make a living after flaming out in the United States.

    Don’t remember Ludwick? He was one of many players to cycle through the organization in the post 1997 World Series fire sale (he was acquired in exchange for Kurt Abbott). His brother Ryan Ludwick has turned out to be a good ball player.

    You can read more about him in our 1998 posts here.

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  • Anibal Back on Saturday? VandenHurk Sent Down

  • Rick VandenHurk was sent down to AAA clearing room for Anibal Sanchez to return to the rotation. Since his next start isn’t scheduled until Saturday in Atlanta, Gaby Sanchez was called up for the next few days to give the Fish another bat while Nick Johnson recovers from a strained right hamstring.

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