The Jack of All Trades

Winston-Salem, NC -- While running on the ol' treadmill on Monday night, I saw Mike Jacobs' (1B, Florida) stats from the last 7 days scroll across ESPN's Bottomline. I can't remember the stats verbatim, but I recalled that the Marlins obtained Jacobs from the Mets in the Carlos Delgado deal. This trade had me thinking just how many lopsided deals that Marlins GM Larry Beinfest has made during his regime. Here are the deals off the top of my head made by Beinfest that directly affect this year's surprising team (37-33 with a $21M payroll -- lowest in the majors):

• Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis for Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin.
• Carlos Delgado for Mike Jacobs and Yusmeiro Petit.
• Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez.
• Juan Pierre for Ricky Nolasco, Renyel Pinto, and Sergio Mitre.
• Plucked Dan Uggla from the D-Backs in the Rule V draft.

I would have to say that Beinfest absolutely fleeced the opposition in all of these deals except the trade with the Red Sox, which worked out for both sides. The Cabrera and Willis dealing to the Tigers looks like a colossal mistake by Detroit because both players have been ineffective (though Cabrera is heating up, but Willis is pitching in Class A) and both were handed large contracts before the season began. Miller is a work in progress and Maybin has been mashing in the minors. Carlos Delgado apparently can't play anymore and is now being platooned at 1B in New York. Beckett and Lowell both carried the Red Sox in the postseason last year, but Ramirez has been a stud in Florida and Sanchez pitched a no-hitter two years ago. He's currently rehabbing his right shoulder. Nolasco and Mitre have been durable starters, while Pierre left Chicago as a free agent and is currently enduring career lows in all offensive categories. Uggla should start this year's All-Star game at 2B. A masterful job by Beinfest to receive loads of talent in return for giving away aging (and declining) veterans. I'll give him my "Jack of All Trades" award for now. As for "GM of the Year," I don't know about his free agent signings because the Marlins don't spend any money.