Not really....I would say that the Padres stood pat and helped themselves by hanging onto Giles.....and possibly helped us because one of the potential destinations was St Louis. Speaking of St L, apparently, Gruz is not going to be there...and Matt Morris may be out as well. I read something, possibly on Insider, that Burnett was looking at the Cards. Cubs are the only ones who have a decent opportunity to get better if they land Furcal and possibly Pierre. I think all of this makes it even more important that we build on our success and not stand still. Adding a Dunn, or Manny would really boost us big time.
A.J. Burnett is looking at the Cards and Jays. My guess is he goes Jays because they seem so willing to overpay for everything...and give long extended contracts. The rumor is they offered Giles 5 years at around $65 million.
Mets acquire All-Star C Lo Duca from Marlins December 4, 2005 MIAMI (Ticker) - For the second time in 10 days, the Florida Marlins' fire sale has found a buyer in the New York Mets. The Marlins traded All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca to the Mets on Sunday for minor league righthander Gaby Hernandez and another prospect. The 33-year-old Lo Duca, a native of Brooklyn, has made the National League All-Star team in each of the last three seasons. He is regarded as one of the league's top offensive catchers as well as an excellent handler of pitching staffs and a clubhouse leader. Despite being hampered by nagging injuries for most of last season, Lo Duca still batted .283 with six homers and 57 RBI in his first full campaign with the Marlins. He was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2004 trading deadline in a swap that sent righthander Brad Penny and first baseman Hee-Seop Choi to the West Coast. The primary injury that Lo Duca dealt with last season was a right hamstring strain that hampered him in September, when he hit just .191 (13-for-68) in 20 games. With the reported trade, Lo Duca becomes the latest Marlin to be shipped out of town by general manager Larry Beinfest in an attempt to significantly reduce payroll. In the last two weeks, the Marlins have traded ace righthander Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Boston, second baseman Luis Castillo to Minnesota and slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado to the Mets. "I figured when they traded Josh Beckett, that this might happen," Lo Duca told Floridamarlins.com on Sunday. With the Winter Meetings set to begin Monday in Dallas, center fielder Juan Pierre and lefthanded reliever Ron Villone are likely the next candidates to be shipped out of South Florida. While Florida continues to move key players, the team also is looking to relocate the entire operation. The Marlins have received permission from Major League Baseball to begin looking for another home after owner Jeffrey Loria was unable to reach a deal for a new stadium in South Florida. "I know it's hurting Mr. Loria," Lo Duca said. "He wants to win so badly, but with no stadium, he is doing what he has to do." The 19-year-old Hernandez, a native of Miami, was considered one of the Mets' top pitching prospects. The 6-3, 215-pounder went 6-1 with a 2.43 ERA for low Class A Hagerstown in the South Atlantic League this past season. He finished the campaign at Class A St. Lucie, where he went 2-5 with a 5.74 ERA.
So as of now, according to ESPN, the Mets have added Delgado, Wagner, and LoDuca, are trying to trade for Zito, have actually lowered their overall payroll, and have a new TV network that increases their revenues substantially. Wow - that's a good month.
Piazza and Cameron out...am I missing someone else? EDIT: Bensen too, but they haven't lowered overall have they?
