Sell! Sell! Sell! Discussion

[Namaste]

But Lou couldn't the same be said about PHI and LAD in terms of the likelihood of those teams improving also?

[lou]

But Lou couldn't the same be said about PHI and LAD in terms of the likelihood of those teams improving also?

Absolutely, but that's irrelevant also. The marlins can only control themselves and what they do. The team is in striking distance, they can get better if they want to with player acquisition. They can't worry about what other teams are doing.

[LocoMarlinFan]

Fregosi in Miami: While Braves top scout Jim Fregosi is in Miami this weekend for the Marlins series, I'm back in Atlanta. Yes Fregosi has had a chance to watch Cody Ross over the course of the past few days.

But it appears the primary reason he remained near his residence in south Florida this week was to have the opportunity to talk with Bobby Cox and get a better understanding of what the Braves might need down the stretch.

There's a chance the Braves could land Ross if the Marlins reach a point where they aren't asking for much in return. But right now, it doesn't appear that they are showing definite interest in the 29-year-old center fielder, who has hit .167 with a .464 OPS this month.

http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archiv...uble-a_mi.html

[LocoMarlinFan]

Marlins more deliberate about dealing
Pulling off three walk-off victories in five days has the Marlins taking a wait-and-see approach to making drastic deals.

Coming out of the All-Star Break, management said the 10-game homestand, which wraps up on Sunday, would decide which direction the club is heading.

By ralling to a 7-6 win over the Braves on Friday night -- scoring twice off Billy Wagner in the ninth -- the Marlins players have bought themselves more time. The organization no longer views Sunday as the day to determine their course of action. The team will continue to evaluate all the way up to the July 31 non-waiver deadline, which will come when the Marlins are on the West Coast. Next week they are at the Giants for four games before facing the Padres in San Diego.

Now at .500 for the first time since June 4, the Marlins are thinking they may indeed be able to make a run.

The team still may make a couple of trades. Jorge Cantu has drawn interest from the Giants, Rockies and Rangers. Cody Ross has a handful of teams -- like the Red Sox, Reds, Dodgers and Braves -- who are interested. Don't expect the Marlins to deal with Atlanta. A couple of years ago, before the Braves acquired Nate McLouth, they had feelers out on Ross.

A match with Atlanta is doubtful. If the Marlins, now 6-2 on the homestand, feel they can make a run, they will need Ross, and wouldn't send him to their division rival.

Several teams have inquired about Leo Nunez, including the Giants, Red Sox and Tigers. Recently, the Marlins told clubs that Nunez isn't available, at least at this point. If they, however, fall out of the race, by July 31, that may change.

Still, indications are that barring a deal too good to pass up, Nunez will not be dealt.

Dan Uggla is not being shopped, and the organization is expected to pursue signing him long term in the off season. Ricky Nolasco also won't likely be dealt. The Marlins also are entertaining signing Nolasco to a multi-year contract.

http://mlb.mlblogs.com/archives/2010...ate_about.html

[wanks1212]

Both Ricky and Uggla are being considered for long term deals? I don't even recognize this organization anymore.

[Party]

Both Ricky and Uggla are being considered for long term deals? I don't even recognize this organization anymore.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdJ9wdqHM4A[/ame]

[Swifty]

Maybe I'm stupid, but Leo is the arm I'd want to sign the most to an extension, more than Nolasco, more than Anibal. Legitimate strikeout relievers are hard to come by, and I really believe St. Claire stopped him from tipping his changeup, so this should be sustainable.

[lou]

Maybe I'm stupid, but Leo is the arm I'd want to sign the most to an extension, more than Nolasco, more than Anibal. Legitimate strikeout relievers are hard to come by, and I really believe St. Claire stopped him from tipping his changeup, so this should be sustainable.

He'd cost like 3/17-19 on a 4, 6-7, 7-8, kind of split. I don't think those prices are unreasonable.

I really wouldn't be scared of going all in, with a 4/$44 deal for Uggla, 3/$21 Nolasco, 3/$18 Leo, and 3/$10 with Anibal. None of those are crushing deals compared to what they should bring in performance, free agent and trade options are and likely not to perform better. Or will take 3 years to match performance levels.

Were talking around $55-58 a year for those 4, Hanley and Johnson, let's say another 13 guys club controlled at $6 million, and you have 6 roster spots open and you are under $70 million by a few million. What's missing is a stopgap starter if they need a 1 year deal somewhere, 4th starter inning eaters if all the kids fail, an early arbitration year or two, and bench/back of pen types. i.e, not a lot of payroll needed to fill a good team and if you want to go big, room for 1 additional big free agent player and still in medium payroll.

That's a very reasonable salary threshold going forward, and that team is really good if 2/3 the spects pan out. So yea, I don't think its crazy to want Leo, or Nolasco, or Uggla, or Anibal. Cody and Cantu are another story, but I am into 3 WAR second baseman and locking down pitchers and medium contracts to supplement the two stars and kids.

[LocoMarlinFan]

Source confirms #Rangers "coming hard" for Cantu. #Marlins not convinced they should sell. Some in org believe prospect Morrison adequately replace Cantu. Source says Nunez, Nolasco not getting traded. Uggla, Ross unlikely but not ruled out.

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal

[Valid]

Marlins 'confused' as trade deadline approaches — 1:16 p.m.

A rival executive posed a simple question Monday: Why would the Marlins resist trading outfielder Cody Ross when they are likely to non-tender him this offseason?

The question is reasonable, considering that Ross is making $4.45 million and stands to earn even more in 2011, his final year of salary arbitration.

The Marlins, however, are not certain sellers — they are 6 1/2 games back in the wild-card race after winning two of three from the Braves this weekend.

In fact, one source with direct knowledge of the club’s thinking describes team officials as “confused” as to their next step.

The Marlins are coming off a 7-3 homestand that included four walk-off victories. But another test awaits for the Fish — a seven-game trip to San Francisco and San Diego.

If the Marlins are swept four straight by the NL wild-card leading Giants, they would fall 10 1/2 games behind in the wild-card race and become near-certain sellers.

For now, the Marlins are talking about trading third baseman Jorge Cantu to the Rangers, but such a move would not necessarily compromise them short-term — the team would move Chris Coghlan to third base and promote hot-hitting prospect Logan Morrison to play left field.

Ross, despite hitting .171/.256/.229 in July, is coveted by the Braves as well as other clubs. The Marlins lack an obvious replacement for him with Cameron Maybin at Single A recovering from a shoulder injury.

Even if the Marlins retain Ross for the rest of the season, they would not be certain to non-tender him in December. Most of the industry identified second baseman Dan Uggla as a possible non-tender candidate last offseason, and the Marlins re-signed him — albeit under union pressure to add payroll — for $7.8 million.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/M...om-July-070110

[LocoMarlinFan]

JULY 26 NEWS AND NOTES

Marlins 'confused' as trade deadline approaches — 1:16 p.m.

A rival executive posed a simple question Monday: Why would the Marlins resist trading outfielder Cody Ross when they are likely to non-tender him this offseason?

The question is reasonable, considering that Ross is making $4.45 million and stands to earn even more in 2011, his final year of salary arbitration.

The Marlins, however, are not certain sellers — they are 6 1/2 games back in the wild-card race after winning two of three from the Braves this weekend.

In fact, one source with direct knowledge of the club’s thinking describes team officials as “confused” as to their next step.

The Marlins are coming off a 7-3 homestand that included four walk-off victories. But another test awaits for the Fish — a seven-game trip to San Francisco and San Diego.

If the Marlins are swept four straight by the NL wild-card leading Giants, they would fall 10 1/2 games behind in the wild-card race and become near-certain sellers.

For now, the Marlins are talking about trading third baseman Jorge Cantu to the Rangers, but such a move would not necessarily compromise them short-term — the team would move Chris Coghlan to third base and promote hot-hitting prospect Logan Morrison to play left field.

Ross, despite hitting .171/.256/.229 in July, is coveted by the Braves as well as other clubs. The Marlins lack an obvious replacement for him with Cameron Maybin at Single A recovering from a shoulder injury.

Even if the Marlins retain Ross for the rest of the season, they would not be certain to non-tender him in December. Most of the industry identified second baseman Dan Uggla as a possible non-tender candidate last offseason, and the Marlins re-signed him — albeit under union pressure to add payroll — for $7.8 million.

— Ken Rosenthal

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/M...om-July-070110

[Fritz]

I would've called the Marlins buy curious, but whatever.

[Ramp]

we're so tobias

[Metes]

They just blue themselves!

[LocoMarlinFan]

Cantu subject of trade talks
Boosted by winning seven of 10 on their homestand that completed on Sunday, the Marlins are not thinking about making wholesale changes before Saturday's non-waiver trade deadline.

The most likely player to be moved is Jorge Cantu.

A free agent after the season, Cantu has drawn attention from the Rangers, Rockies and Giants.

The Rangers appear to be the most viable option, based on reporting by MLB.com and other news outlets.

One of the Marlins most productive players since 2008, Cantu has 10 homers and 54 RBIs this season. In his 2 1/2 years with Florida has has 55 homers and 249 RBIs. The Marlins are seeking pitching in return.

The Marlins have already shown signs that they are preparing to be without Cantu. Dan Uggla, who is not being shoppped, was switched to cleanup with Cantu, dropping from fourth to fifth.

After Cantu made two costly errors in a loss to the Braves on Saturday, he wasn't in the lineup Sunday, although manager Edwin Rodriguez said the veteran was expected to get the day off anyway.

In late innings, Cantu has often been replaced at third base by Wes Helms. In the past, Cantu would switch to first base when Helms entered. Now, Gaby Sanchez frequently remains at first.

And at Triple-A New Orleans, highly touted prospect Logan Morrison -- primarily a first baseman -- has started in left field in nine straight games, including Monday afternoon. The last time Morrison started at first base was on July 19.

The significance of Morrison playing more in the outfield means the team appears to be leaning towards moving Chris Coghlan from left field to third base.

Coghlan, whose best position in the Minor Leagues was second base, saw considerable time at third base when he was a prospect. Defensively, Coghlan is said to be a little better at third than Cantu, whose best position is first base.

If Morrison is added to the lineup, it would provide a much needed left-handed bat. Morrison at New Orleans is hitting .306 with six homers and 44 RBIs with 16 doubles, and a .424 on-base percentage. He doesn't generate big home run numbers, but he is seen as a plus .300 hitter in the big leagues.

Cantu may wind up being the only Marlin traded before Saturday's deadline. Cody Ross, a subject of speculation, is a steady center fielder and teams haven't been offering anything to entice the Marlins to make a trade.

Uggla is part of the team's plans for 2011. The team is weighing whether to sign Uggla to a multi-year contract.

-- Joe Frisaro

http://mlb.mlblogs.com/archives/2010...ade_talks.html