Beckett and Lowell for Blalock

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the huge blockbuster that might go down today.  Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post told us late last night:

"In what could be the first step of a major housecleaning in Florida, the Marlins and Rangers are close to completing a trade that would send Beckett and Lowell to Texas for third baseman Hank Blalock and a top pitching prospect, two baseball sources said Friday night.

The Marlins are asking for either left-hander John Danks, Texas’ first-round pick in 2003, or right-hander Thomas Diamond, the team’s first-round pick in 2004."

The article goes on to say that the deal could fall apart if Texas refuses to include either pitching prospect.  My guess is that the Marlins are demanding Diamond, who has a higher ceiling than Danks and could project as a #2 starter.

Both pitchers had lackluster years after being bumped up to Double A.

This may signal a widespread salary dump for the Marlins.  We’ve all heard the rumors around Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, and Juan Pierre.  One name I haven’t heard much is Luis Castillo.  You have to figure Castillo is on the market as well with a weak 2B free agent class.