Rumor: Marlins-Red Sox Discussing Blockbuster Deal?

[MiamiHomer]

Might as well make a new thread on this:

@BNightengale The #RedSox and #Marlins discussing blockbuster: Crawford and prospect to Miami for Hanley Ramirez and Heath Bell. #MLB

[Mainge]

How does that make sense?

[MiamiHomer]

The Miami Marlins have approached the Boston Red Sox about a blockbuster trade that would send left fielder Carl Crawford and a prospect to South Florida for infielder Hanley Ramirez and closer Heath Bell, according to three officials with knowledge of the talks who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing.

The trade would involve three All-Star players signed to contracts guaranteeing $239 million, making it the second-biggest swap of contracts in baseball history. The 2004 trade that sent Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers for Alfonso Soriano involved more than $257 million in contracts, including Rodriguez's 10-year, $252 million deal that he was three seasons into.

Crawford, a four-time All-Star, is in the second year of an seven-year, $142 million deal, which is a record for an outfielder. Ramirez, a three-time All-Star and former batting champion, is in the fourth year of a six-year, $70 million contract. And Bell, a three-time All-Star, is in the first year of a three-year, $27 million pact.
PHOTOS: MLB trade tracker

Marlins vice president Dan Jennings is in Boston scouting Crawford. The Red Sox insist they are not shopping Crawford.

"We have not offered Carl to a single team," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told USA TODAY Sports. "We have not pursued anything on Carl Crawford. Carl is our left fielder."

The biggest impediment to a deal, according to one of the officials, is the Marlins' indecision whether to unload their high-paid players and abandon playoff hopes for this season and build for next season, or try to overcome the nine-game deficit they face in the NL East and 5½ games they trail for an NL wild-card berth.
"It's up to the players," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Monday. "If they play good, nobody is going to leave. If they play bad …it's part of the business. It's a big week for us, yes."

The Marlins, according to one of the officials, are also discussing trades that will send infielder Omar Infante to Detroit, and deals involving starters Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez.

Yet, no trade would have a bigger impact than sending Ramirez back to Boston, seven years after he was traded to Miami along with Sanchez for starter Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell.

The Red Sox have coveted Ramirez, 28, almost since the day he left. He was the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year and won the batting title in 2009 with a career-high .342 average, but he has struggled the past 1½ seasons. He hit a career-low .243 with 10 homers and 45 RBI last season, and after moving to third base this year to make room for All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, is hitting just .249 with a .326 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 47 RBI.

Crawford, who missed the Red Sox's first 89 games with elbow, wrist and groin injuries, returned to the lineup Monday. He hit a career-low .255 with a .289 on-base percentage last year but has four hits and three stolen bases in his first two games back. The Marlins, according to one of the officials, believe he'll be a much more productive player away from the pressure of Boston. He has no-trade rights to only two teams, and can't ever be traded to the Yankees, but the Marlins are not on his no-trade list.

Bell, who saved 132 games the previous three years for the San Diego Padres, has struggled his first season in Miami. He lost his closer's job after blowing a major-league leading six saves in the first half, and has a 6.38 ERA.

Mega proposal: Boston's Crawford to Miami for Ramirez, Bell

[Bobbob1313]

If Boston throws in money?

[Ramp]

hogwash I say

[MiamiHomer]

And Middlebrooks.

[Bobbob1313]

Yeah, that won't happen.
--------------------
I'm not even sure if Middlebrooks would be who I want.

[tr305]

I would do that in a second if I was Miami.

[DColts]

@Buster_ESPN

Sources:There is no current discussion involving Crawford and Hanley Ramirez/Heath Bell. Was brought up briefly as concept,immediately died.

...

[MiamiHomer]

Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Sources:There is no current discussion involving Crawford and Hanley Ramirez/Heath Bell. Was brought up briefly as concept,immediately died.

...

[tjfla]

Don't get to into this deal

If we decide to sell/blow up this team,we wants prospects/young players in return NOT Carl Crawford and his contract

Boston did call and ask but was told that. They said OK and it was dead. Now if they call back and talk prospects then this could be something.

[Bobbob1313]

I would do that in a second if I was Miami.

Hehe.

[tr305]

They have no farm.

[MiamiHomer]

I'm not familar with Boston's farm system as before since they've traded a good portion of it over the last two years.

[tjfla]

They have no farm.

Iglesias SS
Jackie Bradley Jr OF
Xander Bogaerts MI
Matt Barnes RP

They still got some very very nice prospects(Happens when u spend cash)