Hot Stove, Hot Cookin'

The Florida Marlins have turned themselves into the Miami Marlins and in turn have morphed into the Miami Heat. At least we know that Heath Bell couldn't play the role of LeBron, since he actually closes games. ABOOMCHA. Along with a new retractable roof stadium they apparently have been blessed with a bottomless wallet and are intent on signing anything and anyone available. If you have a pulse, get ready for your formal offer in the mail with the Marlins letterhead.

With the latest splash into the Free Agent market being Jose Reyes (6 years 106 million) they are going to have further pissed off an increasingly petulant Hanley Ramirez who now has to move positions to third base.

If any of the latest rumors are true and they are going to make a major push for Albert Pujols they would have no choice but to trade Hanley Ramirez. While Hanley's value is certainly at its lowest because of a down year in terms of production and his poor attitude he could certainly land a decent starting pitcher maybe a number 3 along with a couple prospects. I wonder if the Red Sox would match back up with the Marlins for a trade?

(Disclaimer: this is if and only if the Marlins can actually sign Pujols or Fielder)

Marlins Receive: Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis and PTBNL
Red Sox Receive: Hanley Ramirez and Ricky Nolasco

The Marlins are courting Mark Buehrle very hard and if they were to sign him as their number 3 behind Beckett and Josh Johnson they would be in instant contention especially with the addition of an extra wildcard.

The Red Sox need to move on from Beckett. Plain and simple. All the pitcher's on the staff have said that he is their "leader" and I'm not sold on his leadership capabilities ater the conundrum that was his 2011. I say that if the Red Sox want Lester to make that quantum leap forward into uber-acedom take away his crutch and make him prove it. If the guy can beat cancer he can certainly step up to the plate, or the mound, and prove that he should be the Ace. Maybe, all he needs is the crutch (Beckett) kicked out from beside him.

With the recent development that Manny Ramirez is filing for reinstatement, it only begs one question: Did he blow through all of his money while playing and now needs to play to survive? All joking aside, the real question(s) should be: Can he still be productive and who if any team would take the chance on him given his drug use and outside of baseball antics?

Somehow his "retirement" last year was some sort of farce and it has knocked his supposed 100 game ban to a 50 game ban as negotiated by his new agent. So who could be interested in his services?

Baltimore Orioles

With new GM Dan Duquette, yes the same GM that signed Manny Ramirez to the largest Free Agent contract in Red Sox history, you know he will certainly have an affinity for Ramirez. They could probably use a left handed hitting outfielder but Ramirez won't cost much and he would certainly put butts in the buckets in Baltimore.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants need more offense, Manny isn't the 30+ home run guy anymore but he could certainly slug 12-15 and drive in 75. His defense has never been good so you're signing him to hit and you could certainly put him in the 5 hole in that lineup.

Seattle Mariners

Mariners fans haven't had much to watch the last couple years, maybe making a splash on a name would give them some sort of false hope. No one broke 20 home runs on the team and he should instantly give them a boost on offense.

Ultimately if someone sees him hit and he looks like he can still hit major league pitching he'll get a job. He has Hall of Fame numbers, tainted or not, baseball was more exciting when he was in the batters box.

Stay Tuned

Norton