Dontrelle Willis Staying Put

According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Dontrelle Willis is not available right now.  The Marlins aren't having discussions about him, and scouts are not watching him pitch.

I believe Juan, so keep this article in mind when things heat up around Tuesday's deadline.  Rumors will fly fast and furious and I'm sure a few will erroneously involve Willis.

Even if he were available, I probably wouldn't name Willis the best available starter.  As I've said, that's probably Joe Blanton.  Knowing Billy Beane, he would at least field offers.  Well, I don't know Billy personally but that's my guess.  If you wanted a poor man's Blanton, you might be able to pry Noah Lowry away from the Giants for some very good position player prospects.  We also have Jon Garland from the White Sox, a third solid starter who does not miss bats.  If you want strikeout stuff you'd have to chase Javier Vazquez, whose availability seems very limited.

Comments

[JerseyMetFan]

I think it would be stupid for Florida to deal Willis now. He's bombing this year, and his value is at an all-time low. Might as well hold on to him and pray he does better next year. Ship him out when(if) he's 7-2 with a sub-3 ERA.

[Dev0]

Man I wish the league would retract some teams. Having these teams that are having their payroll paid for with Luxury tax. There should be a Rule that you have to spend as much as you get with Luxury tax or something.

On top of that I really wish they'd do something about the Draft. The MLB Draft is the Biggest crock in sports. The Draft should be what gives the lower market team more competitiveness compared to the richer teams that can shell out for free agents. Instead many of the top players who should go top 5 or so drop because of who their agent is.

No idea why I posted this it really has nothing to do with this story but I felt the need to rant.

[Tim Dierkes]

Wrong place for that Teix link...I will probably move that.

[Kramerica Industries]

sorry Tim just wanted to get that post up.....maybe i got to excited

[Aduncaroo]

Dev0,

Totally agree with the rant....and don't care if its the wrong place...

[Tim Dierkes]

No worries on the rant or Teix link, thanks for posting both.

You have to blame the teams a bit for making picks based on money. The Pirates have done this and still gone out and wasted money on washed up vets. No excuse for that.

[Dev0]

Honestly I think its much worse then that Tim. Look at all the Teams that passed over Porcello in the Draft. Its almost to the point where 5-6 teams are willing to shell out the money these guys want. The League is unbalanced from its very beginning point.

Drafted players can almost Choose which teams they want to go to depending on which agent they have.

Honestly if they can't get a Salary Cap for the MLB teams how about a Player salary cap for Drafted players.

[Dev0]

Also Tim, Thank god for your site here. I am so sick and tired of reading/watching things about Barry Bonds, Vick, and that NBA Ref. Most mornings I watch espn2 mike and mike then maybe first take.

The Entire shows have been about those 3 story's. This is my favorite time of year nearing the trade deadline. I have to say tho this year so far is the most boring I can remember. The Salary explosions in MLB has completely handicapped most teams.

I barely even watch baseball aside from the odd Jays game here and there. the off season and trade deadline are basically what draws me to the game. Its rather discouraging seeing what I consider the best part of baseball getting as water down as the talent in the league.

[Tim Dierkes]

Yes that is one thing I have learned, that MLBTR is a niche and needs to stay that way. No Barry, no Biggio retiring, etc. 95% of it should be trade/signing rumors or analysis.

[Metsin07]

I know this is off topic but i really hope the Mets can swing a deal and hopefully for a big name becuase thats what they need. Willis needs a chnage of scenary and Peterson would turn him back around into the pitcher he was in 2005. An interesting thought i had was the Mets trading for Carl Crawford for Pelfrey and Milledge. Can uguys let meknow what u guys think of my ideas???

[WestCoastBias]

Does anyone think the A's could swing a trade for Carl Crawford using Joe Blanton as the centerpiece? For this to go down, it'd obviously have to be in the off-season and Billy Beane would have to give up a king's ransom to pry Crawford away but he's exactly what the A's need in their OF and at the top of their lineup. Hell, if Harden were to ever get healthy, I'd send both of them over if it meant adding a difference maker like Crawford. This lineup could be killer:

Carl Crawford
Travis Buck
Jack Cust
Nick Swisher
Daric Barton
Eric Chavez
Kurt Suzuki
Bobby Crosby
Mark Ellis

Maybe they could spin Kotsay out somewhere for a SP? The White Sox'll be looking for OF help come November...

[Iron Nat]

I believe major league baseball is the only major sport without a salary cap. Note that New York teams outside of baseball are on par with all other teams in other sports. No dynasties unless their front offices are skilled at assembling one. The Knicks, Giants, Jets, Nets, Islanders (except for the Bossy/Trottier/Potvin years), Rangers etc aren't perennials because they can't dominate with the check book. It would be nice to see a Minnesota or Florida compete without one hand tied behind their back in terms of payroll and ability to sign the cream of the drafted players.

[Metsin07]

If the Mets can complete trades by getting Crawford and Mark Loretta i will feel a lot more comfortable as a fan:

Could be lineup:

1. Jose Reyes
2. Carl Crawford
3. Carlos Beltran
4. David Wright
5. Carlos Delgado
6. Moises Alou
7. Paul Lo Duca
8. Mark Loretta
9. pitcher

[JerseyMetFan]

I would love having Loretta, Crawford, and Willis as much as the next guy, but then say goodbye to Pelfrey, Humber, Milledge, Gomez, FMart, and more.

For Loretta or Willis, I'll pass.

If TB wants to talk Crawford for Milledge, Pelfrey, and Humber... then I'm all ears.

[Baseballfan79]

I know this is off topic but i really hope the Mets can swing a deal and hopefully for a big name becuase thats what they need. Willis needs a chnage of scenary and Peterson would turn him back around into the pitcher he was in 2005. An interesting thought i had was the Mets trading for Carl Crawford for Pelfrey and Milledge. Can uguys let meknow what u guys think of my ideas???

Posted by: Metsin07 | July 24, 2007 at 01:39 PM

Simple question would you trade Jose Reyes for Milledge and Pelfrey?

Carl Crawford = Jose Reyes

[mymrbig]

I would certainly at least listen to offers on Willis. I question how low his value is right now, especially given the market for starting pitching.

Willis has gotten progressively worse the last few years and hasn't shown any ability to get righties out this year. Sure, the Marlins could hold on and hope for a rebound next year, but if some team is willing to pay for him like its 2005, then the Fish would be foolish to not jump at it.

I'd be trying to peddle him off to the Mariners for a package built around Adam Jones or Wladimir Balentien. This would give the Fish the CF they have been searching for. Maybe they could even pick up Jeff Clement in the deal to be their catcher.

[beauhoopman]

Vazquez is throwing really, really well. Sub-4 ERA in the Central, with lots of K's. I can't see him moved unless it involves a true A prospect.

[nrmax88]

"Simple question would you trade Jose Reyes for Milledge and Pelfrey?

Carl Crawford = Jose Reyes"

The difference is that Carl Crawford isnt going to stick around in TB longer then he has to so he might be dealt at some point. I see what your saying though, still wouldnt make that deal. The mets really dont need a big name either, their lineup is finally starting to come around. I doubt TB would want to talk about Milledge, or Gomez for that matter because they have enough outfielders as it is. What about Jason Bay, anybody think he could be available if the pirates want to fill some holes? I am not sure of Bays contract situation, or when he becomes a FA, so I dont know whether the Bucks would look into dealing him. Just a thought.

[Baseballfan79]

"Simple question would you trade Jose Reyes for Milledge and Pelfrey?

Carl Crawford = Jose Reyes"

The difference is that Carl Crawford isnt going to stick around in TB longer then he has to so he might be dealt at some point. I see what your saying though, still wouldnt make that deal. The mets really dont need a big name either, their lineup is finally starting to come around. I doubt TB would want to talk about Milledge, or Gomez for that matter because they have enough outfielders as it is. What about Jason Bay, anybody think he could be available if the pirates want to fill some holes? I am not sure of Bays contract situation, or when he becomes a FA, so I dont know whether the Bucks would look into dealing him. Just a thought.

Posted by: nrmax88 | July 25, 2007 at 12:15 AM

Carl Crawford is under contract the next 4 years way under market value. He has stated he loves it there as well. The only difference is Crawford is a LF/CF and Reyes a SS. Crawford is better defensively at a less valuable (slightly) position and of course the huge hype of the NYC press machine.

Agreed though that milledge and gomez would be worthless to them and they have better pitching in the minors then humber and pelfrey anyways.