Stark: Marlins Could Be Big Players This Off-Season UPDATE: All Big Names In Play

[HUGG]

Really don't think we have what it'd take to get him. Certainly not without putting new holes into the team.

[lou]

### The Marlins also are intrigued by impending Texas free agent lefty C.J. Wilson (16-7, 2.94), but some Marlins officials don’t see wisdom in paying close to $20 million a year for a pitcher. Somewhat less expensive would be White Sox free agent lefty Mark Buehrle (13-9, 3.59 ERA). He has a good relationship with Guillen and said it would be “an interesting challenge” to switch leagues.
The Marlins publicly have ruled out a $100 million payroll. The team’s front office has been expecting a payroll around $80 million, but Jeffrey Loria appears willing to consider exceeding that somewhat if he can get high-impact players.
The Marlins would be at about $66 million if you count six players signed, 10 under team control and arbitration-eligible Anibal Sanchez, Emilio Bonifacio, Edward Mujica, Burke Badenhop and possibly Chris Volstad.
So if they could get Zambrano for say, $6 million, and Buehrle for $14 million (his 2011 salary), the Marlins would have one of the league’s best rotations, on paper. But in this scenario, Loria would need to spend a few million more (about $90 million in total payroll) to add an inexpensive veteran who could start in center or at third base if neither Chris Coghlan nor Matt Dominguez wins the one open starting position player job.
### Another option that hasn’t been ruled out would be trading disappointing Ricky Nolasco ($9 million) for cheaper, big-league-ready talent. And the Marlins also will consider adding both Zambrano and a free-agent pitcher who’s cheaper than Buehrle (such as Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon or lefties Paul Maholm or Chris Capuano).
For the first time, Marlins scouts were asked to evaluate and prepare reports on every available pitcher, even the most expensive.
### The Marlins will discuss the merits of making a run at free agents Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder; it’s not out of the question, but two team officials expressed considerable skepticism about landing either. If the Marlins somehow could, it would leave little or no money to upgrade the rotation, which the team’s baseball people consider its biggest need. But it’s Loria’s decision on the big-ticket free agents.


Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sport...#ixzz1aKRbmVch

News blurb

[Fritz]

Zambrano and Pujols and someone punching LoMo in the throat and I'm happy.

[Metes]

I liked the part about scouting all pitchers

[Ramp]

pretty sure I read somewhere that there was 0% that Buerhle would come to Florida

[Metes]

Cero

[lou]

I like that first scenario where we get Zambrano and Buehrle

I think if they can get Buerhle for around $12, Zambrano around $5, and say two $1 million a pop bench/platoon guys to help at 3B/CF, it's do able for plus/minus $85 million.

Mock up

C John Buck $6,500,000
1B Gaby Sanchez $430,000
2B Omar Infante $4,000,000
3B Matt Dominguez $410,000
SS Hanley Ramirez $15,000,000
LF Logan Morrison $420,000
CF Emilio Bonifacio $2,000,000
RF Mike Stanton $420,000
B Brett Hayes $420,000
B Bryan Petersen $420,000
B Chris Coghlan $600,000
B Veteran Bench Dude $1,000,000
B Veteran Bench Dude $1,000,000

SP Josh Johnson $13,750,000
SP Mark Buerhle $12,000,000
SP Anibal Sanchez $8,000,000
SP Ricky Nolasco $9,000,000
SP Carlos Zambrano $5,000,000
RP Edward Mujica $1,500,000
RP Randy Choate $1,500,000
RP Ryan Webb $430,000
RP Mike Dunn $420,000
RP Steve Cishek $420,000
RP Jose Ceda $420,000
RP Club Controlled 7th RP $410,000

$85,470,000 (Trades/DFA - Nunez/Oviedo, Volstad, Badenhop, West)

Very doable.

[Metes]

Man that rotation is teh sex

[lou]

Our offense will be meh but I can live with it

Yea, but at the same time if Hanley is back to at least .850 OPS land, Morrison gets a little better and hits .280 with 80 BB/25 HR, Infante doesn't have a brutal few months, and Coghlan/bench chip in a few, kind of a big upgrade compared to this last season. Not that unreasonable to think they could be a middle of the pack offense and live and die on the health of the SP, which is how it's going to be no matter who is batting for the team.

[Big Z]

Trade Nolasco, get Buehrle and Big Z and trade for Votto. I wouldn't mind a rotation of JJ, Buehrle, Sanchez/ Big Z, Big Z/ Sanchez and Sanabia.

What can we possibly offer Cincy, to even make them think about trading Votto?

[Ramp]

Trade Nolasco, get Buehrle and Big Z and trade for Votto. I wouldn't mind a rotation of JJ, Buehrle, Sanchez/ Big Z, Big Z/ Sanchez and Sanabia.

What can we possibly offer Cincy, to even make them think about trading Votto?

Mike Stanton

[Chewford]

What can we possibly offer Cincy, to even make them think about trading Votto?

ALL OF THE LIGHTS!

[dim]

Mike Stanton

Never joke about trading The Chosen One (Who is not Lebron). Giancarlo will never be traded. NEVER!!! (Caps and exclamation marks for supa emphasis).

[Erick]

Trade Nolasco, get Buehrle and Big Z and trade for Votto. I wouldn't mind a rotation of JJ, Buehrle, Sanchez/ Big Z, Big Z/ Sanchez and Sanabia.

What can we possibly offer Cincy, to even make them think about trading Votto?

I think they'll give us Votto and pay his contract if we give them John Buck.

[Chewford]

Never joke about trading The Chosen One (Who is not Lebron).

Lebron for Joey Votto. Do it to it.