Marlins making bid for Soriano

The Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the Marlins are apparently a surprise last second bidder for the Nationals' left fielder. Alfonso Soriano is going to be a free agent at the seasons' end, but is owed just over $3M for the remainder of this season. The Marlins can offer GM Jim Bowden the best pitching prospects of any of the teams looking to trade for Soriano - Reynel Pinto, Jason Vargas and Yusmeiro Petit being targeted as possibilities. It is unlikely, it seems, that the Marlins will actually land Soriano, but it does make sense.

Soriano would offer the Marlins a win/win gamble, and seems to be the type that has been a calling card of the Loria group. The Marlins would benefit offensively from landing Soriano, who most likely would man CF for the Marlins - albeit with a defensive risk built in. It wouldn't cost the Marlins any immediate pitching help - Pinto, Vargas and Petit have been unable to secure a spot mostly because the talent is overcrowding the parent club. And the scary thing is, there is more still to come.

So, most likely the Marlins won't be able to find a spot for Petit, Pinto and Vargas, who are all ready to bid for a starting spot and need to get playing time and experience now. The scenario could work out well for the short term and the long term in that the Marlins future prospects - Chris Volstad, Jose Garcia and even Brett Sinkbeil (just to name a few) - could be ready to take a spot in the rotation should the Marlins lose a starter down the line.

C'mon Loria, give Beinfest the green light to land Soriano. I think that would be an offer that could blow us all away.