4.5 back in NL EAST :think2: :think2:
Struggling Marlins could deal Willis
Beinfest: Play must improve if team is to stay intact
By JOE CAPOZZI
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
CHICAGO — Even with Tuesday's win, the Marlins have lost seven of 11 games. That doesn't mean, however, that the team's front office is preparing to dump key players by the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.
General Manager Larry Beinfest did say before Tuesday's game that it's time for the team to start playing better.
"It's a little early,'' Beinfest said when asked if the Marlins will be buyers or sellers. "Generally, decisions are made for you. I'm not sure this team has played its best baseball. Hopefully it hasn't. I don't really know exactly what's going to happen 51/2 weeks from now. We'll see.''
Although Dontrelle Willis will attract attention from teams looking to bolster their pitching, the Marlins historically haven't traded away their best young arms.
But with Willis making $6.7 million this year and arbitration eligible again next year, the front office could be tempted to make a deal if the team continues to struggle. Willis left Tuesday's game with a tight left forearm after giving up four runs in just one inning.
The Marlins have gone 2-3 on their current road trip after going 7-4 in their previous trip.
"Let's get right down to it: We've given back that really good road trip from two weeks ago,'' Beinfest said. "We haven't played well at home. We're going to be home now for (nine games starting Friday). We need to start playing better at home. All of those different things will go into the calculation. We got to wait and see what happens. We have not buried ourselves, (but) we have not helped ourselves of late. We truly haven't helped ourselves because of some of the defense lapses. Those things will need to improve.''
Struggling Marlins could deal Willis
Beinfest: Play must improve if team is to stay intact
By JOE CAPOZZI
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
CHICAGO — Even with Tuesday's win, the Marlins have lost seven of 11 games. That doesn't mean, however, that the team's front office is preparing to dump key players by the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.
General Manager Larry Beinfest did say before Tuesday's game that it's time for the team to start playing better.
"It's a little early,'' Beinfest said when asked if the Marlins will be buyers or sellers. "Generally, decisions are made for you. I'm not sure this team has played its best baseball. Hopefully it hasn't. I don't really know exactly what's going to happen 51/2 weeks from now. We'll see.''
Although Dontrelle Willis will attract attention from teams looking to bolster their pitching, the Marlins historically haven't traded away their best young arms.
But with Willis making $6.7 million this year and arbitration eligible again next year, the front office could be tempted to make a deal if the team continues to struggle. Willis left Tuesday's game with a tight left forearm after giving up four runs in just one inning.
The Marlins have gone 2-3 on their current road trip after going 7-4 in their previous trip.
"Let's get right down to it: We've given back that really good road trip from two weeks ago,'' Beinfest said. "We haven't played well at home. We're going to be home now for (nine games starting Friday). We need to start playing better at home. All of those different things will go into the calculation. We got to wait and see what happens. We have not buried ourselves, (but) we have not helped ourselves of late. We truly haven't helped ourselves because of some of the defense lapses. Those things will need to improve.''