Some Early Hot Stove Stuff

There is talk that the Marlins might trade Dan Uggla because, in their wonderful universe, a second baseman with tons of power may simply not be affordable.

Craig from FishStripes is on the case. At least he will be unless and until they trade Uggla for the poo-poo platter the Rockies' MLB.com is suggesting:

I think a trade is possible. The Marlins are likely to have a payroll of between $30 million and $35 million, and could look to avoid paying Uggla the $5 million to $6 million he'll get in the arbitration process. They also could package him with left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen, who could make $2.7 million.

A match could be made with the Marlins, who are looking for catching help and have
flirted with obtaining the Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba in the past. They couldn't work a trade with the Rockies at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, but could be in a better position if they gave up some players with rising salaries and obtained Torrealba and a pitching prospect.

Craig's response:

I don't run the baseball operations for the Marlins, but trading Uggla and Olsen
for Torrealba and some pitching prospect would have to rank up there with Frank
Robinson for Milt Pappas.

I tend to think we've seen Dan Uggla's ceiling -- and the defense, she is brutal -- but I have to agree that Florida could do way better than that.