Perhaps forgetting how quickly Jeffrey Loria changed his tune where Carlos Delgado was concerned, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Mike Bernadino reports the Fish are reluctant to unhook their young pitching ace.
Things have been eerily quiet on the Dontrelle Willis front, but in this case that’s a good thing for Marlins followers.
Baseball people who have talked with the Marlins at the All-Star Game say any trade overtures regarding the franchise left-hander have been quickly rejected.
“At this point he’s untouchable,” a National League source said Tuesday. “He’s not available, and I really don’t foresee that changing.”
The Marlins aren’t involved in any major discussions, but they could take bids for veterans such as Joe Borowski, Matt Herges and Wes Helms as the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline approaches.
The emergence of Miguel Olivo as a solid everyday catcher has lessened the need for the Marlins to acquire a high-level prospect at that position, leaving center field as the lone obvious hole in the lineup.
Luis Matos, whom the Orioles designated for assignment last week, could be an option. But Baltimore would have to eat virtually all of the $800,000 or so that remains on his contract this year.
The American Association’s Sioux Falls Canaries had an 83 year old man lead off last night, perhaps hoping to get some speed at the top of the order. St. Joe Blacksnakes starter Jensen Merle proceed to whiff Jim Eriotes (above) on four pitches. Jose Canseco and Pat DiNizio were both overheard bemoaning the publicity stunt.
Japan Baseball Daily reports that overpriced jeans are about to get a little sillier.
Ichiro has reportedly struck a deal with Levis for special limited jeans that will go on sale AT their shop in Aoyama, Tokyo called Tab Device. There will be just 320 available and once they are gone that is it. The pants feature Ichiro’s uniform number, 51, on the rivets and the Japanese hiragana character for Su on the hip patch, which will be made of the same leather used to make baseball gloves. They use red stitching and are boot cut. Each pair runs 31,500 yen and go on sale on July 13th.
I hate to bitch and moan about my own business dealings having gone sour, but the last time I was in Tokyo, I tried very hard to get any of the leading menswear companies to back my line of Bob Horner’s Action Slacks For Big Dudes. A couple of tweaks here and there, and I think my idea’s been stolen.