Marlins reach deal for Redman

MIAMI -- Unable to orchestrate a deal for Bartolo Colon, the Marlins countered Friday by reaching a trade in principle with the Tigers for left-hander Mark Redman.

In exchange, the Marlins are sending two minor leaguers to Detroit.

Neither team confirmed the trade, but the deal could be announced as early as Saturday.

Redman was a hard-luck 8-15 with a 4.21 ERA last season. The 29-year-old made 30 starts and struck out 109 while walking 51 in 203 innings.

The Tigers gave him the lowest run support of any starter in the AL, scoring 3.68 runs per nine innings.

Redman, a third-year arbitration eligible player, made $300,000 in 2002. He could make about $1.5 million through arbitration.

The lefty became the Tigers' top starter in midseason after Jeff Weaver was traded to the Yankees.

The left-hander is not a complete stranger to the Marlins. In an Interleague game on June 22 at Pro Player Stadium, Redman was the Tigers starter the night Luis Castillo's 35-game hitting streak ended. He was not involved in the decision.

In June, the Tigers scored a total of 13 runs in Redman's six starts.

A fastball/changeup pitcher, Redman tops the speed gun in the high 80s, and he blends in a slider.

In August of 2001, he had season-ending knee surgery. And last September, the Tigers shut him down due to a tired arm. He posted an 8.39 ERA over his last seven starts.

Redman was one of three offspeed throwing lefties projected to make the Tigers rotation this year. The others, Mike Maroth and Andy Van Hekken, are coming off rookie seasons.

The Tigers had been shopping Redman at the December Winter Meetings in Nashville.

Redman gives the Marlins a second left-hander in their starting rotation. The other, Michael Tejera, was 8-8 (4.45) as a rookie in 2002.

The Marlins had engaged in discussions the past few days with the Expos for Colon as a part of a three-way package that would have involved pitcher Brad Penny going to the Reds.

Also on Friday, the Marlins reached agreement in principle with 36-year-old outfielder Gerald Williams.

Williams, who will make $325,000, was hitless in 17 at-bats last season with the Yankees. He will be in the mix to compete for the fourth outfielder position with switch hitters Brian Banks and Abraham Nunez.

Redman is not a half bad pitcher. The change of scenery will do him good. But I do not see any advantage to Detroit in this deal, and what lousy luck on Redman's part to go from the Tigers to the Marlins.

How is that lowsy, Detroit licks pouch, Florida is a s*** of a lot better.