The Marlins acquired Carlos Lee from the Astros for Matt Dominguez and Rob Rasmussen earlier tonight in a trade that shows Miami's leadership still intends to win this year. The Marlins should obtain some additional offense from Lee at first base, while the Astros acquire a pair of intriguing prospects for their minor league system. Here are today’s NL East links…
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. met privately with Cole Hamels yesterday, but the left-hander said the meeting didn’t have to do with his contract status, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Hamels, who’s set to hit free agency this coming offseason, isn't intent on leaving the Phillies because of the team's disappointing 2012 season. He understands that the Phillies are talking to other clubs about him and remains optimistic that he and Amaro can reach a long-term agreement, Zolecki reports.
- Lefty masher Scott Hairston would be the most in-demand player on the Mets if New York were selling, a scout told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). However, the 44-37 Mets are looking to add to the big league team this summer.
Would love to see them work out a 6 year $130-$140 million type of extension with Cole. He keeps talking about loyalty, well maybe the losing is going to speed up the contract talks between he and the club.
I’d take my chances going into next year with Halladay/Lee/Hamels, a healthy Chase Utley, a fully recovered Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, and Hunter Pence (maybe) that we could at least come out with a Wild Card. Then you’re looking at $20 million for Halladay coming off the books and $15 million soon after for Utley. I don’t know if they’ll be favorites, but they’ll be in the playoff mix… which is fine, the best team doesn’t always win. Get the right mix of players and anything can happen. A large scale rebuild isn’t really necessary at all.
I’d be very surprised to see Shane Victorino beyond July 31st, however. Don’t see him in the long term plans of the organization.
Agree on Shane. It doesn’t help that he has been dreadful at the plate of late.
At least from the left side. It’s really a shame. He seems like a good guy and he wants to be here but we can’t keep resigning everybody just because they WERE good players.
I’m not the biggest fan of his approach at the plate at all, which is one of the reasons I’m hoping Domonic Brown can comeback healthy. Say what you want about the guy in terms of being a failure to this point, but he gives a great at bat.
I’m with you there. He sees more pitches than anyone in the line up right now…
I would think that Hamels would want a Cain contract. He can take it to the free agent market. The Phillies are getting old and injuried all the time. They should think about rebuilding.
Mets should keep Hairston he has been a god send for this team
He’s always been against left handed pitchers, in fact, I’m not sure that is a powerful enough word… at least against the Phillies left handed pitchers.
Hairston would probably be a great DH in the AL but he’s been great for the Mets this year especially against lefties. Glad he’s giving us the extra power we lacked last year of the bench this year.
Hairston is atrocious against righties. He is a good platoon candidate though. He is all or nothing at the plate