Results tagged ‘ Marlins ’

Roundup: Yanks stake their claim on Jeter

On the day the Yankees signed Larry Rothschild to a three-year contract
to be their new pitching coach, New York reportedly reached out to its
shortstop. The Yankees, SI.com reported on Friday afternoon, are about
to offer Derek Jeter a three-year contract worth $45 million.
That may not be enough, though, as several outlets have stated that “The
Captain” seeks a four- or five-year deal.

Here’s more from around the league …

* New Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers is a popular man these
days, considering he recently said his club would listen
in on offers for young star Justin Upton. According to The New York
Post, at least half the league — not including the Yankees — have shown
interest in the outfielder, and five clubs have wanted to move negotiations
forward. The Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins, Rays, Orioles, Red Sox and Rays have
all been linked to Upton recently.

* The Yankees would like another left-hander in their bullpen besides Boone
Logan, so they are showing interest in free agent J.C. Romero,
according to FOXSports.com. New York has also been linked to Pedro Feliciano. 

* The Indians might have re-gained a stud outfielder without having to spend an
extra penny. Shin-Soo Choo has probably avoided
required military service after leading his South Korea club to the gold
medal.

* In need of a shortstop, the Orioles are expected to bid on Japanese infielder
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, according to a Sports Hochi report relayed by NPB
Tracker. The Mariners, Padres, Dodgers and Cardinals have also been linked to
the 26-year-old switch-hitter, who batted .346 with 22 steals last year.

* Veteran designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero is talking to the Rangers and three other American League teams, according to SI.com.   

– Alden Gonzalez  

Marlins reportedly seek starting pitching

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria vowed yesterday that, despite acquiring four new relievers in less than a week, he was still not done upgrading the bullpen. But according to ESPN.com, it’s starting pitching the Marlins seek now.

The Web site stated that the club is targeting a starter with the money saved from not signing Dan Uggla to a long-term contract, and listed Javier Vazquez and Carl Pavano as the two pitchers atop their wish list. ESPN.com wrote that even after signing John Buck to a three-year, $18 million deal, the Marlins have between $10 million and $11 million to spend. But FOXSports.com heard recently that the Marlins have only between $3 million and $4 million left.

With Pavano’s estimated price tag, Vazquez seems like the likelier choice. He’s coming off a real down year with the Yankees — meaning he won’t get anything close to the $11.5 million he made in 2010 — and his agent, Sam Levinson, is the same person who represents Buck.

The Marlins have expressed interest in Pavano, but he reportedly seeks a contract similar to the one Ted Lilly got with the Dodgers (three years, $33 million). That’s probably too much for the Marlins.

Loria, for what it’s worth, didn’t sound like a man interested in acquiring starting pitching help when asked about it Wednesday …

“I’m very happy with the starting pitching,” he said. “Like all ballclubs, if we stay healthy, we’re as competitive as anybody.”

– Alden Gonzalez  

Roundup: The Tigers have arrived to the GM Meetings

It was the Marlins who staked their claim in Orlando on Tuesday, when they traded Dan Uggla to the Braves and agreed on a three-year contract with John Buck. Wednesday is the day of the Tigers, apparently. The club agreed on a three-year, $16.5 million contract with setup man Joaquin Benoit, according to reports. Also, Detroit is said to be going after power-hitting lefty outfielder/first baseman/potential designated hitter Adam Dunn.
SI.com first reported the two sides were quickly coming together on a
deal, but ESPN.com followed up by saying nothing is imminent just yet.

Here’s more from the second full day of the General Managers Meetings …

* Diamondbacks new general manager Kevin Towers is apparently kicking the tires on a potential trade of franchise player Justin Upton.
The Red Sox, according to USA Today, are said to be the ideal
candidate, but the New York Post wrote that the Marlins and Rays — and
perhaps the Yankees — are prime candidates.

* White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that he would’ve let manager Ozzie Guillen go
to the Marlins if they would’ve given up the specific high-level player
he sought. Reinsdorf didn’t say who, but he denied it was Mike Stanton.

* In need of a lefty bat, the White Sox have engaged in talks with Hideki Matsui,
according to SI.com. Matsui expressed interest in a return to the
Angels, but they’d like to keep DH a revolving door with so many
veterans in their lineup. 

* Six to eight teams have spoken to free-agent starter Carl Pavano, according to The Washington Post, which names the Nationals as one of them. The Marlins, a source told MLB.com, are another.

* The Athletics traded speedy outfielder Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays in exchange for Minor Leaguers Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar, the club announced. Toronto also released right-hander Shawn Hill.

* The Rockies have expressed interest in A’s third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, according to The Denver Post, which added that Jose Lopez, Jorge Cantu and Ty Wigginton are also on the club’s radar.

* Brandon Webb is also reportedly drawing interest. According to
ESPN.com, the Dodgers, Pirates, Twins and Rangers have shown interest in
the right-hander.

* Seven to eight teams are reportedly interested in Jorge de la Rosa,
who is one of the top free-agent starters once you get past Cliff Lee.
The Rockies are a team that would like to keep him, but not if he gets an offer eclipsing four years.

– Alden Gonzalez

Marlins one of the teams interested in Pavano

The Marlins are one of several teams that have reached out to the agent for Carl Pavano about a possible return to South Florida, a baseball source told MLB.com.

The Washington Post wrote Wednesday that six to eight teams have had preliminary discussions with Pavano’s representative, adding that the Nationals were one of them.

Pavano may end up being over the Marlins’ price range, though. The club
said it would allocate the payroll money it didn’t use to resign Dan
Uggla, but they’ve already agreed on a three-year contract reportedly
worth $18 million with John Buck. And according to FOXSports.com, they
only have about $3-4 million left to spend after that, with bullpen help
still being a primary area of need.

Pavano made $7 million last season. 

Pavano pitched for the Marlins for two-plus seasons, winning a World Series with them in 2003 and then going 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 2004, setting him up to land a four-year, $39.95 million contract with the Yankees. After four rough years in the Bronx and an inconsistent 2009 with the Indians and Twins, the 34-year-old right-hander bounced back in Minnesota this past season, going 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA in 32 starts.

– Joe Frisaro and Alden Gonzalez

Upton a potential fit with the Marlins?

Though Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers cautioned that “he would be a tough guy to move,” he is at least looking into the possibility of trading young outfielder Justin Upton. With that regard, the Marlins could be a fit, writes The New York Post’s Joel Sherman.

Sherman said he heard from a few executives that the early favorites for Upton are the Marlins and Rays. The D-backs want to add to their bullpen, get some rotation arms and upgrade at first base. The Marlins, Sherman wrote, could offer up youngster Logan Morrison and No. 2 starter Ricky Nolasco. One executive told him that may be enough to get a deal done.

A source told MLB.com owner Jeffrey Loria had not heard anything regarding talks between the Marlins and D-backs about Upton. 

The Red Sox and Yankees may also get into the mix, Sherman added.

Upton, 23, is coming off batting .273 with 17 homers, 69 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He is locked up through 2015 in an escalating contract that will have him make $4.25 million in 2011 and $6.75 million in 2012.

“You always seek out the information on what teams will do because you never know if, to get one player, a team will grossly overpay,” Towers was quoted as saying. 

– Alden Gonzalez

Marlins deal Uggla to Braves for Infante, LHP Dunn

The Marlins have parted ways with their
home-run-hitting second baseman, agreeing on Tuesday afternoon to send
Dan Uggla to the Braves in exchange for infielder Omar Infante and
left-hander Mike Dunn, the Marlins announced in a release.

Uggla and the Marlins were attempting to reach an
extension but couldn’t agree on the framework of a deal. Uggla
reportedly wanted a five-year contract, but the Marlins didn’t want to
go any further than a proposed four-year, $48 million offer. 

The 30-year-old Uggla made $7.8 million in 2010 and could yield $12 million in arbitration if he goes to a hearing. He is set to be a free after the 2011 campaign.

Infante would now likely replace Uggla as the
Marlins’ second baseman. In Dunn, Florida receives a young lefty
reliever it coveted this offseason. 

Uggla will now be reunited with former manager Fredi Gonzalez in Atlanta.

– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: GM Meetings lighting Hot Stove

The General Managers Meetings are in full swing and so is the Hot Stove. With everyone in one place, the rumors are flying and teams are staying busy. Let’s jump right into a rundown of the hottest news of the day: 
- The Marlins are reportedly close to a deal with free agent catcher John Buck. Nothing official has landed yet, but FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Tuesday afternon on Twitter that the Marlins were close to signing Buck to a three year deal and SI.com’s Jon Heyman confirmed via Twitter that the two sides were nearing a deal. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the deal is worth between $15 and $20 million. More to come on MLB.com from Alden Gonzalez.
- The D-backs have reportedly let other teams know they will listen on Justin Upton. On Tuesday, Rosenthal reported on Twitter that Arizona would listen on Upton, but the return would have to be “big.” Morosi suggested on Twitter that the Braves might be at the front of the line and would have the talented young arms to go get Upton. There were also rumors that the Red Sox might be interested in Upton, but Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported that his source thought it was more “due diligance than actual trade talk.”
- The Yanks are looking to fill some holes in their bullpen and they are reportedly looking toward veteran left-hander Pedro Feliciano, Newsday’s Ken Davidoff reported on Twitter Tuesday. Feliciano has been a busy guy in recent years, leading the NL in appearances in each of the last three seasons. Over that span, he’s tallied a 3.44 ERA. 
- In what’s become somewhat of a saga, the Marlins are reportedly now “aggressively shopping” Dan Uggla, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reported on Twitter on Tuesday. The Braves have expressed interest in the second baseman, Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constution suggested on Tuesday, joining a list of suitors that also reportedly includes the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Nationals and Tigers. It’s not known though, if the Marlins would be willing to trade Uggla to an NL East foe. 
- It’s looking more and more like Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus won’t be moved this offseason as Rosenthal and Morosi quote a source that puts the chances of a Rasmus return at “99 percent.” 
Stay tuned to the MLB.com Hot Stove for updates. 
– Bailey Stephens

Reports: Marlins sign C Buck to three-year deal

The Marlins are reportedly finalizing a three-year deal with free-agent catcher John Buck, according to reports.

FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal first reported via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon that the Marlins were “close to signing” Buck to a three-year contract, and SI.com’s Jon Heyman confirmed via Twitter that the two siders were nearing a deal.

According to The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the deal is worth between $15 million and $20 million.

Buck’s agent, Sam Levinson, could not immediately be reached, and a Marlins spokesman said he had not heard about a potential deal.

– Alden Gonzalez 

Marlins pursuing John Buck to fill catching void

The Marlins are in need of catching this winter, and they’ll be able to pick from a pretty deep pool of backstops in the open market if they choose to go that route. Based on reports, the catcher they covet most appears to be John Buck.

AOL FanHouse’s Ed Price tweeted Tuesday that the word from other clubs is that the Marlins are “working hard” to sign Buck. FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, meanwhile, stated that while Florida still isn’t particularly close on Buck, the club is “definitely interested.”

Buck made $2 million with the Blue Jays last season but is coming off a career year, one that saw him set all-time highs with a .281 batting average, .314 on-base percentage, 20 home runs and 66 RBIs. The 30-year-old also threw out 28 percent of would-be base-stealers in his seventh season, which ranked seventh among Major League catchers who qualified.

The Marlins began last season with a Ronny Paulino-John Baker platoon behind the plate. But Baker is coming off Tommy John surgery and won’t be ready for the start of the season, and Paulino was handed a 50-game suspension last year that he still hasn’t completely served.

Besides Buck, the Marlins have a few other free-agent catchers to choose from, like A.J. Pierzynski, Rod Barajas, Gerald Laird and Bengie Molina (Victor Martinez would likely be outside their price range). 

– Alden Gonzalez

Uggla to Cards a long shot — but possible

ORLANDO — At a quick glance, the Cardinals might seem to be a perfect landing spot for Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla. St. Louis is looking to upgrade its offense, particularly in the middle infield, and reports have suggested that Florida’s demands in return might not be too high.

The issue, it would seem, would be Uggla’s salary. He made $7.8 million in 2010, and in 2011 he’ll be a third-year arbitration-eligible player coming off his best season — indicating a likely uptick in salary from that ’10 number.
However, a Cardinals source suggested on Monday that the issue is not dollars but the talent cost.
“I would say no at this time,” the source said when asked about a potential fit between the two clubs.
When it was pointed out that the Marlins are reportedly a “motivated seller” who might not demand an excessive return in trade, the source expressed skepticism, saying, “I don’t think we’ve heard the last word on that.”
–Matthew Leach
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