04/25/24
November 26, 2003
The breakup of the Florida Marlins has begun.
I guess. It seems like a possible steal for the Marlins to me. Derek Lee's a very good hitter, but Choi was a can't-miss prospect at one time.
posted by yerfatma at 07:01 AM on November 26, 2003
I don't think it's a real "breakup", as much as it's a "steal a good player from a team that constantly ignores him".
posted by grum@work at 07:04 AM on November 26, 2003
If they were really set to break up the team, they wouldn't be going hard after keeping Castillo. They'd like to keep I-Rod, but the numbers don't make it possible, it seems. The good pitching remains, so, while this team might not win the WS next season, I don't see a fire sale happening this year.
posted by bcb2k2 at 07:07 AM on November 26, 2003
Trading Urbina for anything isn't "breaking up the Marlins" either: if they can get anything for him, that's a smart deal.
posted by yerfatma at 09:34 AM on November 26, 2003
Whether it's a break-up or not, the Marlins were going to have to lose some players to stay afloat.
posted by rcade at 11:29 AM on November 26, 2003
The Cubs new strategy: if you can't beat them, get them to join you! (no problems here, unless Choi becomes another Willis!)
posted by Bag Man at 12:36 PM on November 26, 2003
"There were two main reasons for the move. One is, obviously, we need to achieve our goal of operating within our payroll," Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest said. "Two, we want to make sure we have the appropriate allocations to retain our core pitching." Remember when we used to debate trades on who got the better player? This is a smart move for both clubs, though. The Cubs, who have been as successful with first basemen as Harry Caray was in pronouncing polysyllabic names, have landed a guy who will thrive in the smaller, more power-alley friendly Wrigley Field. Of course, as is the Cub mantra ... Lee will never steal another base. As for the Marlins, I think Conine will slide in at first base, allowing them to use a prospect elsewhere in the field. The money savings gives them a much better shot at getting all their pitchers inked for longterm deals, saving Urbina, who I think is also gone. I just hope Ivan sticks around. It was obvious just how much he enjoyed this club.
posted by wfrazerjr at 02:36 PM on November 26, 2003
Arrgh! I said it before and I'll say it again. This is not a break-up, fire sale, or whatever alarmist sound-bitey phraseology gets put on it. It is normal turnover and simple economics for a team that cannot afford to keep its elite talent. Despite the two rings, baseball in Florida after April is not a good revenue stream. There is no way they can afford to keep all the I-Rod's and Derrick Lee's, or even some of this pitching staff when their contracts are up. They got a good prospect as replacement for someone they couldn't afford, and maybe free up some money to keep a few of their players. Good move in the short run, probably not so bad long term. Rodriguez will be next one gone. They close on Lowell and Castillo, and prob be too late/not have enough for Pudge. who have been as successful with first basemen as Harry Caray was in pronouncing polysyllabic names Grace was a pretty good hitter and above average defensively. He's only been gone three years.
posted by pivo at 11:40 PM on November 26, 2003
The Marlins insist their offseason changes won't be as drastic as the ones after they won their first World Series title in 1997. So they say...