Bobby let his intentions be known to fellow ESPN colleague Tim Kurkjian. “I am honored and flattered that the Orioles reached out with this potential opportunity, but at this time in my career, I feel I should direct my energies in another direction,” Valentine said.

For a man whose current job is working for ESPN’s Baseball Tonight that can only mean one thing. He’s got another managerial job in mind and it’s with a team a lot closer to winning then the Orioles. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post tweets that the two sides have already had talks.

@joecapMARLINS: Samson said he spoke this morning w Bobby valentine who is a candidate 4 manager #Marlins

Unfortunately for Edwin Rodriguez, I believe his job as interim manager will be short lived. The real question is will the Marlins add Valentine to the staff mid season or wait till the winter.

No one is quite sure of the reasoning but in his official press release Marlins owner Jeffrey Lori made some interesting statements. One of which is that the move was made cause this team can do even better and he wants to win, again I’m not sure if any manager can do much better with this team.

Decisions on individual personnel cannot supercede our overall goal, which is to win. We believe we can do better and be better. We owe it to our fans to put this team in the best possible position to win. Everyone knows how I feel about winning. That’s the reason we’re making this change.

We still have a very long season in front of us, and plenty of time to turn things around. Everyone – our fans, our team, our organization, and myself – wants us to win. That continues to be, and will always be, the goal.

Gonzalez took over during the 2007 season and has compiled a 276-279 record and I’m sorry that’s a good record if you’re the coach of the Florida Marlins. Fredi won’t be short of opportunities this winter, in fact some think he’ll be the leading candidate to replace Bobby Cox as the next manager of the Atlanta Braves.

David O’Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution even says via Twitter, “To reiterate my oft-expressed view, if Fredi Gonzalez is available, he immediately moves to top of the list of potential Cox replacements.”

First, the Yankees traded Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals for the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft. Not a major deal but could wind up being very big for the Yankees bullpen. Steven Henson of Yahoo.com says the Yankees are considering drafting Florida Marlins pitcher Arquimedes Carminero, a strong armed reliever who boasts a 10+ strikeout per nine inning ratio. That is if they don’t trade the pick. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com says the Yankees are trying to move that pick themselves. I’d think for another minor league player. The Yankees also needed to clear a little payroll for the moves they want to make so Bruney could save them close to $2 million after his arbitration raise.

Next, the Yankees made a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers. They gave up a pretty big prospect in Austin Jackson, as well as Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy. In return they got a player they’ve wanted for a long time Curtis Granderson. He’s got power, 30 homers last year, something that a player needs when playing at Yankee Stadium. He’s got speed, 57 triples in 6 seasons (twice league leader) and 20 steals last season, something the Yankees could always use more of with their aging lineup. There are two major knocks thou.

He strikes out a lot, something the Yankees don’t need as this is a team that’s always wanted patience at the plate. Maybe the vets can rub off on the kid. He also can’t hit lefties (.183 with 2 homers in 180 at bats) to save his life and that’s a problem. Teams don’t save their lefties to pitch in Yankees Stadium anymore, but they do face more then their fare share. If this trend continues he could quickly become a platoon player, something someone making his kind of money shouldn’t be.

Regardless, Granderson is going to be a terror in that stadium, especially against right handed pitchers. His swing is perfect for the short porch in right and with his speed he can definitely take advantage of the spacious center field while batting. The question is going to be does he play left, or bump Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner over there.

And finally today, the Yankees acted on one of their priorities they resigned Andy Pettitte to a one-year deal. You remember those priorities right? Take care of their three free agents first then look elsewhere. Anyone who believed that, I laugh and say its the Yankees and if any GM calls Cashman he’ll talk.

So back to Pettitte he’s been brought back on a one-year deal for $11.75 million, slightly more then what he made last season. The difference is this year its all guaranteed, last season most of his $10+ million was made via incentives. After his performance in the playoffs this year, you knew an incentive laden deal wouldn’t do. I’m glad he’s back, he’s the rock in the middle of that rotation and he’s a Yankee lifer, what Houston? I don’t remember those couple years ever happening.

As a Yankees fan, I’m enjoying the moves they’ve made so far. Dealing Bruney brings in some possible youth, really cheap youth if they keep the Rule 5 pick. They bring back a legit pitcher and bring a big time bat/defensive player. We may one day regret giving up Austin Jackson, just like we will regret losing Jose Tabata but hey if Granderson plays as he always had we won’t care. He gives us a better chance at winning now, and that’s always the Yankees priority.

I just know one thing, Curtis better learn to hit some lefties and FAST!

Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Texas Rangers made a monster offer to the Marlins today, only to be turned down. The deal would of sent Texas minor leaguers Neftali Feliz and Justin Smoak for Josh Johnson.

Feliz, a pitcher, and Smoak, a first baseman are easily two of Texas’ top prospects and arguably two of the better prospects in baseball. For the Marlins to turn down such a deal, you’d have to believe Marlins GM Michael Hill when he said Johnson will start the season in Florida.

Joe Frisaro of MLBlogs.com says that the Marlins are still holding out hope that they can sign Johnson to a contract extension. If I was one of the few Marlins fans I’d be hoping for this. With a new stadium on the way the team needs to keep Johnson and Hanley Ramirez in the fold, just to prove to the fans they’re committed to putting a winner on the field. If it happens who knows but that’s what I’d want to see as a fan.

For Rangers fans hearing this trade offer should be a blessing and a curse. The Rangers are committed to winning next season, something they haven’t done in a long time. They’re willing to go out and get some pieces that they may need to put them over the top in what looks to be a very competitive American League West next season. That’s all a good thing.

BUT, they’re also willing to sacrifice their future for a winning season. The future they’re willing to sacrifice are players that aren’t even that far off from being major producers for the big league club.

Feliz pitched 31 innings out of the bullpen striking out 39, with an ERA of 1.74. While Smoak batted .244 with 4 homers and 23 rbis in 197 AAA at-bats at the age of 22. Not impressive but remember he’s only 22 and did hit .328 with 6 homers and 29 rbis in AA as well last year. He’s also got a great eye which has led to a very high on base percentage.

These are two guys the fans have been high on so I’m not sure they’ll want to see them leave, even for Johnson. Rangers fans don’t win enough for their fans to want to see them take a gamble at winning one season.

Regardless its positive to see on both sides. Rangers want to win and the Marlins want to keep their top talent for a little longer. Both are good things for baseball.

Here’s the official stat line. 128 games, .321 average over 504 at-bats. He hit 31 doubles, 6 triples and 9 homers with 47 runs batted in. In addition to that he stole 8 bases, walked 53 times and struck out only 77 times. He also batted leadoff in 106 of his 121 starts.

Want even more? After the All-Star break he was the best hitter for average in baseball. He batted .372 (more then ML-season leader Joe Mauer) and had more hits in that time then Derek Jeter (113 to 102). Both numbers were the best in baseball after the break.

What makes those stats even more impressive is that he hit like that while learning a new position. Coghlan was an infielder in the minor leagues and was asked to convert to left field to help the team out after Cameron Maybin turned out to be a flop. He also hit in the leadoff spot, another position he had never experienced.

If this kid continues to develop he can become one of the next great stars in baseball.

While winning the award was a great accomplishment for Coghlan there were many other players who would of won in a normal season. They include Tommy Hanson of the Atlanta Braves, J.A. Happ of the Philadelphia Phillies (pretty sure Philadelphia fans and bloggers are going wild that he didn’t win the award), Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Casey McGehee of the Milwaukee Brewers and Colby Ramus of the St. Louis Cardinals.

If it was a normal season, all of those guys could of and probably would of been run away winners. That just shows you how great of a season Coghlan had in Florida. This is one time you can say the voters got an award right.

Unfortunately most of the casual fans of baseball have probably never heard of the guy. That’s what happens when you’re stuck playing for the Marlins.

In 2009, Sheffield has hit .277 with 10 homers and 43 runs batted in, his on base percentage is still a pretty good .369 as well. All of that in just 97 games and a low 267 at bats.

The one thing that will hold him back for returning next year is health. He’s proven he can produce when healthy but also proven he’s now an injury prone old man. At his age, I’m sure he’d only want to play for a contender and only way a contender would look at him is if he proved he can stay healthy. I’m going to give Sheff credit as he knows that’s the case.

“No. 1 is health — dedication and health,” Sheffield said. “You’re going to get out what you put in.”

Kevin Kernan of the New York Post reports that Sheffield is going to work on his conditioning this off season, “He’s going to train with boxer Winky Wright and get down to about 210 pounds. His goal, he said, is to play 150 games. ”

I think if Sheffield can improve his conditioning and stay healthy, he could have a big 2010. He’s always been the guy that wants to prove others wrong. It’s why he always plays his best against former teams. Look at the New York Yankees, he’s hit 5 homers in 58 at bats against them since he was traded away. He knows he can produce and loves to stick it to the teams who said he couldn’t anymore.

If the Mets let him walk after this season, which is almost a certainty, he’ll have that much more incentive to come back at a high level.

Now that brings up another thing, what teams would be interested in his services?

Kernan lists the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers as possibilities if he can’t return to New York. Notice a trend there?

Tampa Bay and Florida are turning into big rivals of the two New York teams. Both teams are also close to his Tampa home. Both teams need a legitimate slugger. Both can use some swagger and Sheffield could definitely bring that.

My money is on Sheffield being a major league outfielder again in 2010, where I’m not sure. But if he’s healthy count on him hitting at least 20 homers again.

Initially the Marlins were offering minor league pitcher Ryan Tucker, currently in AAA. Not a bad offer considering Nick Johnson is projected to fall short of being a Type B free agent. With him falling short, the Nationals would receive no compensation when he signs elsewhere, so really they should just take what they can get. But they aren’t and they’re playing tough with the Marlins.

Rosenthal says that the Nationals have convinced the Marlins to add another player, in exchange for the Nats paying part of Johnson’s salary. There’s no word on whom the player is and how talented of one it is.

If the Marlins complete this deal it will definitely help them out depth wise as they compete for the National League Wild Card.

One, the Yankees didn’t offer arbitration to Pudge. All along we all knew Pudge was just a rental for the Yankees, brought in for extra insurance with Jorge Posada out for the season. Rodriguez made $13 million last season, and there was no chance the Yankees were going to pay him that to be a backup in 2009. In actuality, there isn’t a team in the league that would offer that kind of salary, so it was smart for the Yankees not to offer arbitration as he would of easily accepted it for the pay day. With no arbitration being offered, the Marlins could now sign the catcher and not lose any draft picks in the move.

Two, the Marlins are actively pursuing a veteran backup catcher. The team currently has Matt Treanor on the block, and would love a quality catcher behind incumbent John Baker. With his outstanding career coming to a close, Pudge could also hand off plenty of knowledge to the Marlins young pitching staff before he sails off into the sunset.

Finally, the team is looking to play into the hearts of Marlins fans, if there are still any. Pudge was around when the team was successful, he has a special place in the hearts of the Marlins faithful. Bringing in him could be a sign of goodwill, an attempt to get some fans back into the seats. Although I doubt it would bring many.

Pudge would be a nice addition to the Marlins, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind going back to Florida. The problem will be salary. If he’s looking for anything near what he earned last year then he has no chance of being a Marlin. Rotoworld suggests that if his demands fall in the $6 to $7 million range, then the Marlins could be more the interested. I agree with that thinking, as it’s not to expensive for a backup of his caliber. Plus, the Marlins have plenty of money to spend after their minuscule payroll over the past few years.

In addition to Pudge, there are rumors swirling that the Marlins may also try to bring back Carl Pavano.

“The ball is rolling,” Mozeliak told the St. Louis Dispatch. Lefthanded relief “is a market that will move quickly. It’s kind of like the draft, where catchers go fast. There is a limited supply and they typically don’t last until January.”

Mozeliak wouldn’t identify the players the team is after, but there are plenty of signs out there. The two main candidates right now are believed to be Will Ohman and Arthur Rhodes.

Ohman, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, has received interest from numerous teams. The teams interested in the lefty are the Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and of course the Braves. Ohman’s agent, Page Odle, has admitted that the Braves have made an offer. Listening to Ohman it sounds like it was a very nice offer, “It was a strong offer intended to show me that they’d like to have me back” At the moment, the Cardinals have not yet made an offer but have stayed in contact with Odle to show their interest. Last season, Ohman had a 3.68 era in 83 appearances, striking out nearly a batter per inning and holding lefties to a .200 batting average.

Arthur Rhodes on the other hand was even better against lefties last season, holding them to a .157 batting average. Over the course of the season he had an overall era of 2.04 over 61 appearances. Rhodes, who will be 40 next season, is at a point in his career thou where he can’t be out there for too many pitches, and truthfully can’t even pitch against righties anymore. If he were to sign with the Cardinals that would be no big deal as manager Tony LaRussa loves to change his pitchers almost every other batter.

Recent signings of left handed pitchers have pretty much set the market now for both of these players, so really it will come down to what the Cardinals are willing to spend. Affeldt signed with the Giants for two-years worth $8 million. Damaso Marte re-signed with the New York Yankees for three years and $12 million. Scott Eyre signed with the Chicago Cubs for $11 million over 3 seasons. So basically the top lefties went for about $4 million per season, something neither of these guys are.

Whomever, Ohman signs with I believe he will get a contract in the $3-4 million range but for multiple years. Rhodes could come pretty cheap, probably a one year deal for about $2-3 million. With LaRussa’s game day strategies the Cardinals could throw a curve and actually sign both players.

Should the team sign neither of the players there are other options, although none are to intriguing. That list includes Joe Beimel, Alan Embree, Eddie Guardado, Trever Miller, Darren Oliver, Dennys Reyes, and Brian Shouse.

Personally, I think the Cardinals will wind up with Arthur Rhodes as their left handed specialist next season. He’s not too expensive and with him probably only looking for a one-year deal its a win-win scenario. They can bring in a quality lefty and if he doesn’t work out then whatever he’s gone at the end of the season.

Me, I’d so say screw the playoff race and Paul Lo Duca, just bring in his ex-wife Sonia. Give her the money, let her be a ball girl and watch the crowds you get then!