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| Subject: Marlins acquire another Mets slayer (AP) | |
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Author: Chris (Florida) |
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Date Posted: 03:38:58 07/15/05 Fri Miami (AP) - Fans at Shea Stadium will be chanting "Larry" again this October. An eleventh hour deal between the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves brought 3B/OF Chipper Jones in exchange for a first round draft pick in 2007. Both GM's found this deal to be mutually beneficial, as Jones gives the Marlins flexibility and insurance, as well as a big bat in the middle of the lineup. The 34-year old Jones, who had spent his entire career with Atlanta, was excited to be traded to a team with postseason aspirations. "I had gone to the playoffs for seven straight years and again in 2003, but it's been awhile. It looks like we'll be playing [the] New York [Mets] in the Division Series, so it's time to start the trash talking. It'll be fun to lay the smackdown on them again." The Marlins came off a weekend set where they dropped the first to games to their rivals from Queens before defeating reliever Keith Foulke, who looked overmatched by the Marlins lineup. Although Jones has not hit as well this year as in years past, he should provide relief should Adrian Beltre, Luis Terrero, or Marlon Byrd stay in their season-long slumps. The team's production from leftfield has fallen off signifantly since the offseason departure of Larry Walker in a bizzare series of events. Jones will be a free agent at year's end, and it's uncertain as to whether or not the Marlins intend to - or will be able to - resign him. Atlanta has expressed interest in bringing him back, as Neifi Perez's $10 million deal will be off the books, but Jones does not want to speculate about the offseason. "For the next three months, I'm a Marlin and I guarantee a parade on South Beach." While big news was being made in South Florida, New York Mets GM Gray Giovine ended the night in frustration as he was unable to find a buyer for reliever Valerio de los Santos. The Marlins nixed a deal that would have united the de los Santos' and Angel Santos, instead using its first roudn pick to acquire Jones. De los Santos was dealt to Texas for a late round pick and a catching prospect. "I don't know if I agree with [the Chipper Jones acquisition]," Giovine told reporters. "He's not hitting that well and does not fit with their team's style." Marlins skipper Jack McKeon, smoking a Cuban cigar that Livan Hernandez had given the team as a token of appreciation for signing him to a lucrative deal in 2003, responded by saying "if I want advice on style, I'm not going to ask an MIT grad - I'll stick to those Queer Eye guys." Earlier in the day, the Marlins had toyed with the idea of bringing back 1997 Game 7 starter Al Leiter but found Milwaukee's asking price too steep. Leiter ended up in Minnesota. To make room for Jones on the roster, GM Chris Wilkinson waived OF Raul Mondesi and RHP David Lundquist, who leads the team with 11 saves in relief. Jones is hitting .278 on the season with 16 HR He has played in every game for the Braves this season. -------- Analysis from Ken Rosenthal of The Sporting News: Jones is an interesting pickup for the Marlins, but I question whether or not he fills one of the team's needs. The offense has certainly underperformed this year and he could be the sparkplug, but the team's bullpen has been mediocre at best this year. Alan Embree and Cliff Politte have simply not performed up to par. Perhaps they would have been better off trading for Tim spooneybarger, Derek Lowe, or Allen McDill. It appears that manager Jack McKeon has moved Politte into the rotation, where he pitched a one hit gem against the Pittsburgh Pirates (who added Richie Sexson at the deadline). This relegates either Kurt Ainsworth or Sterling Hitchcock to a relief role, which could end up solving the team's problems. If the Marlins make the World Series, Jones will almost certainly fill the team's DH role due to his subpar defense. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Re: | Chris (Florida) | 03:40:28 07/15/05 Fri |
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