Marlins Trade Rumors

"The Florida Marlins reportedly claimed Astros catcher Brad Ausmus off waivers shortly before they signed free agent Paul Lo Duca to a minor-league contract Friday. Multiple newspaper reports in Miami said the Marlins targeted Ausmus, who has the right to refuse any deal because of his 10-5 rights. Ausmus said Friday he wasn’t aware of a waiver claim and said he would be unlikely to approve any waiver deal."

"Nothing is official, but there are growing indications the proposed Manny Ramirez trade to the Marlins could be dead. Various news outlets are reporting that talks have cooled among the three teams involved in the mega-deal -- the Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates -- as the 4 p.m. trade deadline nears. The deal would have the Marlins giving up outfielder Jeremy Hermida and prospects to land Ramirez from the Red Sox and enough cash ($6.7 million) to pay the remainder of this season's salary. One snag in the deal could involve Pirates outfielder Jason Bay, who would have gone to the Red Sox to plug the hole created by Ramirez's departure."

"Manny Ramirez wearing a Marlins uniform? As implausible as that sounds, a blockbuster trade that would bring the enigmatic Red Sox outfielder to South Florida gained strength late Wednesday as the Marlins, Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates hammered out the framework of a mega-deal. But some Boston media outlets were also reporting that the complicated deal was unlikely. The Marlins weren't saying much of anything. ''Not now, guys,'' president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said as he waded through a crowd of reporters while making a timeout signal after the Marlins' 7-5 victory over the New York Mets. According to some reports, the Marlins would send outfielder Jeremy Hermida and ..."

"Could Manny be Manny in South Florida? Or is this latest batch of trade rumors just the Marlins being the Marlins? With today's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching, the upstart Marlins were making a strong bid to acquire disgruntled Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez, industry sources said. Ramirez, a two-time World Series champion in Boston, has a home in Pembroke Pines and would have to approve any trade. At 36, Ramirez has 510 career home runs and a non-refundable ticket for Cooperstown, but he also has a reputation for flaky behavior, poor outfield defense and ill-timed outbursts. Marlins President David Samson neither confirmed nor denied the Ramirez talks Wednesday during ..."

"Publicly, at least, the Red Sox have long made clear their desire to dispose of the problematic Manny Ramirez. The question now: At what point does sanitation become too costly? Amid a report in the Palm Beach Post that the Sox, Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates had reached a tentative agreement on a deal that would send Ramirez to Florida, baseball sources continued to indicate last night the Sox are reluctant to make such a deal because the club deems the cost too high. There also is believed to be some disagreement within the Sox organization as to just how much of a distraction Ramirez has become, particularly when the Sox have won a pair of titles during his tumultuous career in ..."

"With Manny Ramírez issuing yet another screed outlining his unhappiness with the Red Sox, the team's owners and top baseball executives met yesterday to debate whether to trade the combustible left fielder, and engaged in a serious exercise with the Florida Marlins to see whether the teams might match up in a deal. A major league source with direct knowledge of the talks said that contrary to a report last night in the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, a tentative agreement had not been reached on a three-way deal among the Sox, Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates, one in which Ramírez would go to the Marlins, the Sox would acquire outfielder Jason Bay and lefthanded reliever John Grabow from the ..."

"When Manny Ramírez of the Red Sox flied out to the center-field warning track in the eighth inning on Wednesday night, the broadcaster ruminated about whether Ramírez had played his final game for Boston. While it seemed probable that Ramírez will remain with the Red Sox, speculation was ablaze about his future. As bizarre as it sounded, the Florida Marlins were the latest team to be connected with Ramírez. Boston was talking to Florida, a team with a $22 million payroll, about their unhappy left fielder. Still, a baseball official who was monitoring the discussions said a deal was unlikely. In an interview with ESPNdeportes.com, Ramírez criticized the Red Sox for the second time in four ..."

"Jason Bay might have played his final game for the Pirates. Deep into last night, management was discussing a three-way trade with Boston and Florida, a multi-player transaction that would go like this: Bay, the two-time All-Star outfielder, and reliever John Grabow, would go to the Red Sox. The Pirates would get outfielder Jeremy Hermida and two prospects from the Marlins, as well as another from the Red Sox. Boston would send superstar outfielder Manny Ramirez, a prospect and cash to Florida. One of the Florida prospects who would head the Pirates' way, according to a source in Miami, is 21-year-old right-handed starter Ryan Tucker, who was summoned this season from Class AA to make six ..."

"The Marlins and Pirates are both said to be haggling with the Red Sox over a prospect or two in a potential three-team blockbuster that would send embattled superstar Manny Ramirez to Florida in what could rank as the surprise blockbuster of the century. But while there's still some back and forth going on, people involved in the talks are still expressing optimism that the deal will eventually get done and that the $20 million player will go to the $22 million team. The Red Sox have talked to other teams about Ramirez, but their talks appear to be centered on the Marlins now. People involved in the discussions say several combinations of players and teams are being discussed, but in just ..."

"The Phillies and Marlins are two of a few teams engaged in trade talks regarding embattled superstar Manny Ramirez, SI.com has learned. The Dodgers also showed interest in Ramirez, but they appear to be less involved than those other two National League teams now. Ramirez has publicly expressed a desire to be traded, and it is believed he'd approve a deal to at least Philadelphia, and perhaps Florida and Los Angeles, as well. Boston is shopping Ramirez but people familiar with the talks indicate there's still a decent chance Ramirez remains with the Red Sox. Boston has periodically shopped Ramirez over the last four years, ever since he revealed he wasn't completely comfortable playing ..."

"Gerald Laird is the Texas Rangers' starting catcher, a statement that has been made on a number of occasions the past two seasons but always with a caveat. For now. He entered spring training as the starter, but he had to fend off Jarrod Saltalamacchia until the final week before securing the job. That lasted all of a month before Saltalamacchia forced his way onto the roster with a hot start in Triple A. The solution was to play Laird two days, followed by two for Saltalamacchia. That lasted until June, when Laird pulled a hamstring and went on the disabled list. He came off it Saturday and was handed the starting job for the stretch run. For now. Visit any Web site that tracks rumors as ..."

"One potential trade target of the Giants can be scratched off the list for now. According to major-league sources, the Giants were scouting Texas third baseman Hank Blalock, who went on the disabled list with a sore shoulder Tuesday. The Rangers contacted the Giants about Blalock, a 27-year-old with some (but not overwhelming) power. The Rangers covet Giants pitching, including Jonathan Sanchez. Even though that deal will not go down, it raises an interesting point: General manager Brian Sabean has said he is willing to acquire major-league players, not merely sell those he has, if the deal makes sense for the present and future. But what exactly are the Giants building for? Next year? Or ..."

"The Marlins could be closer to a deal to acquire left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners, who are looking only for a midlevel minor-league prospect in return. Rhodes, 37, is 2-0 with a 3.83 ERA in 35 relief appearances this season."

"Facing a potentially lengthy absence for injured starting catcher Matt Treanor, the Marlins have increased their efforts to acquire an established replacement before Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline. According to an industry source familiar with the Marlins' thinking, they have whittled their list of catching trade targets to four names: Bengie Molina (Giants), Ramon Hernandez (Orioles), Gerald Laird (Rangers) and Ryan Doumit (Pirates). Molina and Hernandez are signed for 2009 at fairly sizable sums, which would complicate any trade involving them. Molina is making $6 million this year and next, while Hernandez, who is making $7.5 million this year, is owed $8 million in 2009 and has ..."

"Right-hander Anibal Sanchez will return to the rotation and start Thursday's game, but he might not be the only addition to the Marlins roster this week. With catcher Matt Treanor suffering a setback in his effort to return from a hip strain, the Marlins' front office had an active weekend searching for ways to improve the team. "We're looking," owner Jeffrey Loria said after Sunday's loss. The non-waiver trading deadline ends at 4 p.m. Thursday. Sanchez (right shoulder surgery) will start the series opener against Colorado. It will be his first start since May 2007. "We've already kind of made our trade. We got (Josh Johnson) back and Anibal's on his way back. For us, those are two horses ..."

"Everything points to the Marlins intensifying their search to add a catcher for the stretch run, because Matt Treanor, who has been on the disabled list since July 8 with a strained left hip, is not ready to return. Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said before Sunday's game that Treanor is scheduled to see a specialist Monday in Philadelphia. That news, combined with the fact that the nonwaiver trade deadline is rapidly approaching, means the Marlins will try to pull off a trade this week. With 57 games left, the Marlins want to make sure they have more behind the plate than John Baker and Paul Hoover. The Marlins have talked to teams about catchers, and some of the names that have been ..."

"The Marlins' need for more catching help before Thursday's trade deadline might have become more acute with a recent setback for Matt Treanor. Out since July 8 with a strained left hip, Treanor will visit Dr. William Meyers, a groin-injury specialist, today in Philadelphia. It was Meyers who diagnosed Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb with a sports hernia in 2005. That surgery ended McNabb's season, which could be a possibility for Treanor if surgery is needed. "We'll see how it goes," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He tried to play through it, but he aggravated it in San Diego." Treanor had been catching bullpen sessions at home in hopes of expediting his return, but the ..."

"The Marlins will call up pitcher Rick VandenHurk to start Tuesday night against the Braves and will send reliever Jesus Delgado back to Double A Carolina, the team announced late Monday. VandenHurk started the season in the rotation but was demoted after two abysmal starts (0-1, 11.81 ERA). He has been pitching better at Carolina, where he is 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA. The right-hander has pitched well of late and has given up only two earned runs over his past two starts, striking out 10 and walking three in 11 innings."

"A month after losing his job, catcher Yorvit Torrealba is losing his patience. The veteran wondered aloud Saturday if he would be better off elsewhere. "I am really happy for Chris (Iannetta). He's done great, but I want to play," Torrealba said. "I am thankful for the opportunity and (contract) they gave me, but if it's time to move on, I will. I completely understand that it's a business and they aren't going to put me in there with Chris doing really well." Torrealba's name has surfaced in trade talks, but there have been no serious conversations. Florida has had interest during the past few weeks. The Marlins, however, don't want to absorb the roughly $5 million remaining on ..."

"According to the Miami Herald the Florida Marlins have inquired about Tigers catcher Pudge Rodriguez. The Tigers have said that Rodriguez, an impending free agent, is not available. Rodriguez would be an upgrade for the Marlins over current starting catcher, light-hitting Matt Treanor. Rodriguez played with the Marlins in 2003 and helped the team win the World Series. Currently the Marlins are only one and a half games behind the Phillies in the National League East."

"The Marlins are evaluating available veteran relievers and would be open to adding a quality arm before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. But though they would like a solution at catcher, they are not enamored with available options, especially offensively, and aren't optimistic about finding a clear upgrade to Matt Treanor. The Marlins have no interest in Washington's Paul Lo Duca and don't believe Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba is a big improvement over what they have. Cincinnati's David Ross (.203 in 2007, .262 in '08) is not viewed as more than a backup stopgap, and Florida likes what it has seen of recent call-up John Baker. Florida asked the Tigers about ex-Marlin Pudge ..."

"As top Marlins officials spent Tuesday in a Miami courtroom, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig chose to bite his tongue at the All-Star Game. "I'd like to make a sarcastic reference to Norman Braman, but I can't," Selig said during his annual State of the Game address to the Baseball Writers' Association of America. "I think we're moving ahead. Norman Braman has field a suit. I think people seem to be reasonably optimistic that this can all be settled, and if it is I think we're ready to proceed there." Bob DuPuy, President of Major League Baseball, called the Braman lawsuit "a bump in the road" and termed it nothing more than "an unfortunate delay." However, the delay may already be ..."

"Yes, Brian Fuentes said, it would be cool to wear Yankee pinstripes. And no, he wouldn't mind working in New York City's media hothouse. But that doesn't necessarily mean the Rockies' closer believes he'll end up here, via a trade in the coming weeks or as a free agent after the season. "I'm going to look to be a closer, wherever I go," Fuentes said Saturday. Many baseball analysts believe the Rockies will deal Fuentes before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline. The Cardinals, Marlins, Phillies, Rays and Red Sox are interested. Fuentes said he's not letting the trade rumors affect him on the mound. "It's out of my control, so it's counterproductive to worry about something you ..."

"With the market for starters thin, there's growing buzz that Rockies closer Brian Fuentes will be the next pitcher traded this month. Sitting in the visitors dugout Wednesday at Miller Park, general manager Dan O'Dowd said there was nothing brewing, if you will, at the moment. Tampa Bay has been the most aggressive team pursuing Fuentes, followed by the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals and Marlins. O'Dowd is working from a position of leverage. "We just have to let this play out," he said. "There's still a chance we might not do anything." That's unlikely for several reasons. Fuentes is arguably the most attractive and versatile reliever available ? he can close, set up or work ..."

"Sidelined since spraining his ankle June 28 game against the Diamondbacks, second baseman Dan Uggla proclaimed himself ready to go before Wednesday's game. Uggla could be back in the starting lineup as soon as tonight."

"Following the injury to Matt Treanor, the Florida Marlins have stepped up their pursuit of a veteran catcher. They have inquired about Yorvit Torrealba, but the $5.2 million remaining on his contract remains prohibitive. As it stands, the only way something could be worked out with the Marlins is if the Rockies ate a portion of Torrealba's contract, something they have no interest in doing."

"Even before Matt Treanor went on the disabled list, the Marlins were asking around for catching help. Now, with Treanor out indefinitely because of a strained left hip, they are working the phones with even greater urgency. Whether they find the help they are looking for before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline remains to be seen. The market is not exactly loaded with candidates that would fit the Marlins. The Marlins have taken a look at a handful of catchers who are believed to be available: Cincinnati's David Ross, Kansas City's Miguel Olivo and Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba."

"Florida has shown initial interest in Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and center fielders Willy Taveras and Scott Podsednik. With the emergence of Chris Iannetta this year, the Rockies would listen to offers for Torrealba, who is signed through next year. With Taveras, Podsednik and Ryan Spilborghs at the major league level and Cory Sullivan at Colorado Springs, the Rockies have a surplus in center field. St. Louis, meanwhile, is asking around about right-hander Matt Herges to provide a veteran influence in the Cardinals bullpen."

"Although second baseman Dan Uggla remains confident he can return by the weekend, when the Marlins are in Colorado, he had a magnetic resonance imaging exam on his sprained left ankle Tuesday. ''It looks like it's going to take two to four more days,'' said Uggla, who was injured Saturday while running the bases. ``The pain has decreased. The first couple of days was when it was the most intense.''"

"Scan the diamond, and you'll find a team surprisingly set at every position except two: Center field and catcher...Another ex-Marlin, however, could be the solution. In fact, Paul Lo Duca was conveniently at Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday night along with the rest of the Washington Nationals. He is 36 and has lost his starting job to an impressive kid named Jesus Flores, but Lo Duca remains as feisty as ever. He showed as much Monday with a two-hit night that included a textbook hit-and-run single, not to mention several running catches in left field, a position he volunteered to play. "I still want to catch, definitely," Lo Duca said."

"It turns out the Marlins wanted Josh Johnson to make back-to-back, 100-pitch starts in the minors after all. Last week, manager Fredi Gonzalez didn't dismiss the possibility Sunday might be Johnson's last appearance. After allowing five runs and 11 hits with a walk and three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings for Double-A Carolina, Johnson didn't make a compelling case to change the Marlins' thought process. He will start at least one more game for the Mudcats on Friday. Gonzalez was non-committal about the team's plans for Johnson beyond that."

"Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, who left Saturday's game with a sprained left ankle, sat out Sunday and might not play again until Thursday, when the Marlins play at Colorado. X-rays were negative, but the swelling will keep Uggla on the bench the next few days. ''He will rest it really well over the next few days,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said before Sunday's game. ``Maybe [he can play] Wednesday. He has just got to ice the [heck] out of it [Sunday]. He has got to get that whole swelling down and get some treatment on that."

"First the Marlins were saying they hoped Josh Johnson would be ready to pitch for them ``before the end of the season.'' Then the timetable changed to ``around the All-Star break.''"

"Rehabbing right-hander Josh Johnson will suit up for Double-A Carolina on Sunday for what could be the last time. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said it's possible Johnson could rejoin the Marlins after his next outing for the Mudcats against Huntsville. Johnson is scheduled to throw 100-105 pitches. "We'll evaluate him after this one," Gonzalez said. The Marlins have a couple of scenarios to consider. They don't have a day off the rest of the first half to tinker with the rotation, so the least disruptive option would be to install Johnson in place of the starter he's replacing. Right now, he's lined up with Scott Olsen."

"The team with the worst fielding percentage in baseball could be without one of its best defensive players this week. Utility man Alfredo Amezaga isn't sure if he'll be able to return to action Tuesday after suffering a left groin strain in Saturday's game. "It's kind of bad," said Amezaga, who didn't play Sunday. "I've just got to find a way to play with pain and we'll see how it feels on Tuesday.""

"The Marlins expect to add outfielder Josh Willingham to the roster Tuesday. They likely will send a pitcher back to the minors to make room for him. The Marlins have been carrying 13 pitchers and 12 position players. With interleague play winding down, though, the need for a longer bench becomes greater. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he will go slow with Willingham at first. ''I'm not going to run him out there the first seven days in a row,'' Gonzalez said. Willingham has been out since April 28 because of lower back pain and likely will be activated from the disabled list Tuesday, when the Marlins open a homestand against Tampa Bay."

"The Marlins expect outfielder Josh Willingham to rejoin the team next week and starting pitcher Josh Johnson to be in their rotation sometime around the All-Star break in mid-July. ''I think a healthy J.J. [Johnson] and a healthy Josh Willingham are big,'' Beinfest said. ``Those are major parts of this team.'' Johnson, a 12-game winner for the Marlins as a rookie in 2006, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. He is scheduled to start Thursday night for Single A Jupiter and, if all continues to go well, will make three or four more minor-league starts before the Marlins bring him up."

"Jacque Jones cleared waivers and was out-righted to Triple A Albuquerque (N.M.) on Monday. But the outfielder, who was designated for assignment by the Marlins after he managed only four hits in 37 at-bats for a .108 average, has not decided whether to accept the minor-league assignment or become a free agent."

"A source close to the process said the Marlins and first-round draft pick Kyle Skipworth are "getting closer" to a deal that would get the sixth-overall pick under contract. Both sides are hopeful of getting Skipworth, a high school catcher from Riverside, Calif., signed in time for the start of Gulf Coast League play June 19."

"Left fielder Josh Willingham, out since late April with a strained lower back, was encouraged after taking batting practice on the field before Sunday's game. Willingham said he hoped to begin a minor league rehab assignment as soon as Friday, provided his back holds up through a daily round of baseball activities the rest of this homestand. From there, Willingham estimated he might need as little as one week to work back into game shape."

"Marlins left fielder Josh Willingham could be playing in minor-league games later this week. That's the plan after Willingham took batting practice again Sunday. He has been out since April 28 with a strained lower back, but Willingham and the Marlins are more optimistic now than at any point in his comeback. ''By the middle of the week, he should be playing games in the Gulf Coast [League],'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said."

"Cuban baseball's brightest star, Dayán Viciedo, has escaped from Cuba and is now in Miami, following the footsteps of talented island colleagues who have found their way into the major leagues. Viciedo left Cuba on a boat bound for Mexico on May 20, accompanied by his family. Several days later he crossed the border from Mexico and traveled to Miami to reunite with friends and relatives. ''Dayán is going to spark a lot of talk in the majors,'' said his agent, Puerto Rican lawyer Jaime Torres."

"As expected, the Marlins and free agent outfielder Jacques Jones have agreed to terms on a contract through the end of the season. Jones, who last week was placed on release waivers by the Tigers, will spend a few days in Jupiter with the extended spring training club before joining the Marlins. No official word from the Marlins on when he'll join the club, but Jones could be in uniform before this weekend's home series against the Giants."

"Jacque Jones reportedly will be playing center field soon for the Marlins. According to a major-league source, the Marlins are about to sign Jones, who was released by the Detroit Tigers earlier this season. The Marlins are expected to make an announcement in the next 48 hours. The Marlins have been using the platoon of Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga in center field, but the addition of Jones means Amezaga will go back to his role as the team's utility infielder, and Ross will be the fourth outfielder."

"Based on durability and performance, Uggla would seem the next logical brick to stack on the $70 million Ramirez cornerstone. He's the game's most productive second baseman this side of Chase Utley...Uggla is one of several Marlins who will be arbitration-eligible after this season. The question facing Beinfest and Co. is whether it makes more sense to go year to year with Uggla or give him a minimum four-year deal. The Marlins won't make multiyear offers that don't buy out at least one season of free agency."

"Former Tigers outfielder Jacque Jones cleared waivers Thursday morning and could be a Marlin as soon as today, according an industry source who has spoken with club officials. Damon Lapa, Jones' agent, would not confirm the Marlins' interest or name any other teams that had initiated discussions. He did say his client hoped to narrow the field to a couple of finalists in the next day or two."

"Given the opportunity to decide, outfielder Jacque Jones' first choice might be to join the Marlins. That's what Jones, who the Tigers designated for assignment last week, told an associate. For now, Jones has no control over his next destination. The Tigers have until Friday to trade or release him. Either way, they are on the hook for what's left of his $5.5 million salary (about $4.05 million). Any team that acquires him would make the Tigers pay much of the remaining money."

"Players who will be arbitration-eligible this coming offseason include Uggla, Josh Willingham, Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs and Jeremy Hermida. The Marlins could accept the salary set by an arbiter, lock up players to a long-term contract or simply trade them away to relieve payroll concerns. With Ramirez seemingly locked in, players weren't talking about walking away from the Marlins but instead being part of their future."

"Talk about your "Man Bites Dog" headlines. This story, first reported in Saturday's editions of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, about the Marlins signing up Hanley Ramirez for the next six years — SIX! — at a princely sum of $70 million certainly rises to that jaw-dropping level. What's next? Pigs flying? Elephants surfing? Obama and Hillary playing nice? Some final details still need to be worked out, but from all indications these are mere formalities. This is really going to happen, and judging from the way our Marlins blog blew up all day Saturday, baseball's most emotionally abused fan base is pretty jacked up about it."

"Lambasted for their major league-low $21 million payroll and perpetual trading of star players, the Marlins are finally keeping one in the fold. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez told an acquaintance he has agreed to the framework of a six-year, $70 million extension. That ranks as the richest contract in franchise history, topping the six-year, $61 million deal Gary Sheffield received in April 1997. Ramirez's contract is pending a physical and an official announcement might not come until early next week."