Interesting article from the Florida Sun - Sentinel;

 

MIAMI GARDENS · One general manager who has been monitoring the A.J. Burnett sweepstakes predicted the Marlins would let Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline pass without moving the strikeout artist.

 

The GM, who requested anonymity, added his own recommendation for what the Marlins should do with the prospective free agent.

 

"They're better off keeping the guy," the GM said Thursday. "They might as well go for it. Whoever they get is not going to replace the guy. They'll just end up with a lesser talent or a younger player."

 

Meanwhile, Brandon McCarthy's third consecutive strong start for Triple-A Charlotte may have lessened the chances of Burnett joining the White Sox this weekend.

 

McCarthy, the 22-year-old right-hander rated among the top pitching prospects in the minors, tossed eight shutout innings Wednesday in Rochester, N.Y. That lowered his ERA over his past three starts to 1.80, including a July 22 appearance in Syracuse before Marlins personnel chief Dan Jennings.

 

Asked about McCarthy's rumored inclusion in a package for Burnett, White Sox General Manager Ken Williams gave a cryptic answer to a Chicago Tribune reporter.

 

"There are certain assumptions about names being talked about," Williams said. "A lot of those names are more rumor than truth."

 

White Sox reliever Damaso Marte also interests the Marlins, but Marte has been mentioned in a possible bid for Devil Rays closer Danys Baez. The Marlins also have interest in Baez, although Tampa Bay's asking price is considered exorbitant.

 

The Red Sox are considered the only other serious contender for Burnett, due to start Saturday. The Angels inquired but balked at the Marlins' asking price.

Interesting article from the Florida Sun - Sentinel;

in my opinion that deal would have to include baez plus either huff or lugo, with other parts obviuosly being moved in that deal.

 

on a side note: three good outings with a 1.80 ERA a good pitcher does not make.

but i sure as hell never thought mccarthy sucked in teh first place.

At first, the D-Rays interest in a MArte for Baez deal didn't make sense. Yet Marte's cheaper, signed for 2006, and could be dealt for a lot of talent. A "lights out" LH reliever [going by the stats] does have a lot of value.

Baez is pretty much a right-handed Marte. He may not throw as hard, but he just as unreliable. No thanks.

Edited July 29, 200520 yr by robinventura23

Ugh that would be a horrible move, I'll pass.