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Marlins Rumors: Cantu, Uggla, Pudge

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10:17pm: Berardino says the Giants appear to be out of the running for Cantu due to defensive concerns.  That sentiment has been coming from the Giants writers as well lately.

12:36pm: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says the Marlins "don’t have immediate interest" in Ivan Rodriguez.

10:49am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins don’t expect to trade Dan Uggla or Jorge Cantu at the Meetings, "but they remain open to all ideas."  Cantu has been linked to the Giants and White Sox in recent days.

Rosenthal names the Braves, Reds, and Rays as teams interested in Jeremy Hermida, though nothing is close.  Nick Cafardo also suggested the Giants.  The Cubs apparently haven’t discussed Hermida in a while.

Odds and Ends: Teahen, Mastny, Clement

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Sunday evening links…I will add to this post as needed.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Closers, Castillo, Cantu

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, let’s take a look at the highlights:

  • Rosenthal doesn’t see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He’s got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn’t forsee a repeat.
  • The Indians are waiting on the Mets’ closer decision to make a decision of their own. Once New York signs or trades for a closer, the market will likely collapse. The Mets are preparing simultaneous offers to Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.
  • The Brewers could spend big money on a closer once they hear from Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. If the Brewers can somehow retain both, they won’t have money to spend on a closer and would likely have to trade Prince Fielder.
  • The Mets are desperately trying to unload Luis Castillo so they can make a run at Orlando Hudson. They’re having no luck though, even in trying to swap him for another bad contract. The Rangers rejected a swap of Castillo for Vicente Padilla.
  • Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in Willy Taveras. Doesn’t make any sense to me. The Nats already have Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.
  • The Rockies prefer to keep Garrett Atkins, but the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Phillies are all interested. Chase Utley has been a long-time supporter of bringing his former UCLA teammate to the Phils for a reunion.
  • The Marlins are getting several inquiries on Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. They don’t plan to trade either, though if the Giants were to offer Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, the Marlins would jump at the chance.
  • Jermaine Dye, Mike Cameron, Marcus Thames, and Marlon Byrd are all available via the trade market, for teams needing a right-handed hitting outfielder. Rosenthal still feels Cameron could still end up in pinstripes.

Olsen/Willingham Trade Roundup

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It’s official – the Marlins traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinksi, and P.J. Dean.  Let’s round up commentary on the surprising deal.

Nats Trade For Olsen, Willingham

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9:44pm: Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel was assured this evening that Dan Uggla will not be traded this winter.  Additonally, Mike Berardino says the Marlins won’t be signing Ivan Rodriguez for a second stint.

6:34pm: According to ESPN’s Peter Gammons, the Nationals acquired Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham from the Marlins for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor league players, pitcher P.J. Dean and shortstop Jake Smolinski.

Bonifacio was the prospect the Diamondbacks traded straight up for Jon Rauch.  He fits into the "speed and defense" plan.  Smolinski was ranked 11th among Nationals prospects heading into the season according to Baseball America.  They consider him a polished hitter with gap power.  Dean was ranked 30th, but he projects well and could become a mid-rotation starter according to BA.

I have to say, I thought the Marlins would get more for these two players.  There’s not really a sure thing in the bunch.  Did Jim Bowden pull a heist, or was this the true market value of these two players?  Olsen’s peripheral stats weren’t great this year, while Willingham has back problems.

Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.

Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009.  This means they won’t be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players.  Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th.

However, Berardino confirms Olney’s note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available.  The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa’s August forearm soreness.  A thought: why would the Royals consider trading pitching for Jacobs?  Berardino names the Mariners and Blue Jays as other interested parties, and considers the Indians a fit.  The Giants have also been named as a suitor.

Berardino wonders if the Rangers will pursue Olsen, perhaps offering a catcher.  I don’t believe Olsen would succeed in Texas.

Expected to remain in Florida: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Alfredo Amezaga.  Berardino says the front office is divided on Jeremy Hermida’s potential.  Four teams have asked about Hermida.  Josh Willingham may be available, but his back is worrisome.

Jacobs To Royals Fell Through

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Change is brewing in the Marlins front office this offseason. Not only have they decided to increase payroll to $30-35MM but also they are actively shopping Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen, and Kevin Gregg this offseason; so actively, that a deal with Kansas City fell apart last week according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The deal collapsed, according to Jackson, due to "a medical issue involving a minor-league pitcher" from Kansas City.

If, or when, Jacobs is dealt, the Marlins feel Gaby Sanchez can take over at first, and Olsen’s spot in the rotation is expected to be occupied by Andrew Miller.

According to Jackson, a number of clubs have inquired about Dan Uggla but Florida seems to be looking for a far greater return for their All Star second baseman. Other names that could wind up on the block are Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham who are both arbitration eligible; however, it doesn’t seem likely that the Marlins will move either guy.

Should be a fun ballclub to watch this offseason.

Marlins Will Discuss Jacobs, Olsen, Gregg

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From ESPN’s Buster Olney this morning:

Wrote here recently that the Marlins intend to keep the vast majority of their arbitration-eligible players, including Dan Uggla, unless they are completely overwhelmed by trade offers. Three of the Marlins’ arbitration-eligible players who they are more willing to discuss: first baseman Mike Jacobs, left-hander Scott Olsen and reliever Kevin Gregg.

Olsen looks like a sell-high candidate.  The 24 year-old posted a 4.20 ERA in 201.2 innings this year.  His strikeout rate has declined every year he’s been in the bigs, falling to 5.04 per nine innings this season.  He also benefitted from an abnormally low batting average on balls in play.  Lastly, his average fastball velocity dropped two miles per hour (now a touch below 88). 

Scout’s View Of Marlins Trade Targets

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked to a veteran scout this week about the Marlins’ possible trade chips.

The reviews were on the positive side for Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, and Alfredo Amezaga.  The scout apparently recommended against Jeremy Hermida, Kevin Gregg, and Josh Willingham.  Hermida’s report was particularly damning, with the scout claiming the right fielder has "no passion for the game."

For more on the Fish, check out our Offseason Outlook.

Uggla Trade Unlikely?

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According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Marlins ownership will allow the team to keep all of its many arbitration-eligible players, if that is the front office’s preference.  The Marlins won’t be forced to make payroll-motivated deals; instead, they’ll just look for good baseball trades like any team.  Greg Cote suggested the same a few weeks ago, noting that the Marlins will shift focus to pitching, speed, and defense but won’t cut payroll just for the sake of it. 

Olney figures they’ll keep Dan Uggla:

It appears very unlikely they will deal Uggla and others, and they are poised to be the Rays of 2009.

Still, I wouldn’t rule it out.  The Angels are already said to have Uggla on the radar if Mark Teixeira leaves.  Uggla is also considered a good fit for the Giants.  The Marlins lost leverage when it was thought they had to move Uggla and others for payroll reasons.  It’s beneficial to get the word out that they can afford all of the arb-eligible players, even if it’s not true.

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