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Moriarty9 · 08-05-2009, 08:36 AM

BoSox, Fish make big trade
Ichiro to Marlins for lefty Lee, prospect
November 8, 2005

MIAMI — The Florida Marlins added one of the best hitters in baseball to their roster today, acquiring outfielder Ichiro Suzuki from the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee and minor league infielder Fernando Cortez.

Ichiro, 32, is signed through the 2007 season — a big part of the trade for the small market Marlins. The outfielder has spent six seasons in the big leagues, all with the Red Sox. He hit .309 with six triples, six home runs, 45 RBI, and 76 runs scored in 144 games last season. This past season was the worst of his career, as his previous career low batting average was .332, his RBI numbers were down slightly, and his runs scored were 25-30 below what Red Sox fans had grown to expect.

Lee is an up and coming pitcher that went 16-11 with a 3.66 ERA in 35 starts for Florida in his first full season in the Marlins' rotation. He went 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 16 starts in 2004, and owns a 24-14 record with a 3.40 ERA in 55 big league appearances over the last three years.

One source said the Red Sox believe that "there's a lot to like about Lee" and the lefty will prove to be a strong number two starter at some point.

Cortez, 24, has no big league experience as yet, but plays second base, third base, and shortstop in the minor leagues, and has a .315 average in his two seasons as a minor leaguer. Cortez played in AA this past season, hitting .298 with nine home runs, 64 RBI, and 45 runs scored in 105 games.

The trade does save some money for the Red Sox, who have five potential free agents on their roster: Brian Meadows, Carlos Febles, Reggie Jefferson, Orlando Palmeiro, and Corey Patterson.

08-05-2009, 08:36 AM	#480 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	BoSox, Fish make big trade Ichiro to Marlins for lefty Lee, prospect November 8, 2005 MIAMI — The Florida Marlins added one of the best hitters in baseball to their roster today, acquiring outfielder Ichiro Suzuki from the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee and minor league infielder Fernando Cortez. Ichiro, 32, is signed through the 2007 season — a big part of the trade for the small market Marlins. The outfielder has spent six seasons in the big leagues, all with the Red Sox. He hit .309 with six triples, six home runs, 45 RBI, and 76 runs scored in 144 games last season. This past season was the worst of his career, as his previous career low batting average was .332, his RBI numbers were down slightly, and his runs scored were 25-30 below what Red Sox fans had grown to expect. Lee is an up and coming pitcher that went 16-11 with a 3.66 ERA in 35 starts for Florida in his first full season in the Marlins' rotation. He went 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 16 starts in 2004, and owns a 24-14 record with a 3.40 ERA in 55 big league appearances over the last three years. One source said the Red Sox believe that "there's a lot to like about Lee" and the lefty will prove to be a strong number two starter at some point. Cortez, 24, has no big league experience as yet, but plays second base, third base, and shortstop in the minor leagues, and has a .315 average in his two seasons as a minor leaguer. Cortez played in AA this past season, hitting .298 with nine home runs, 64 RBI, and 45 runs scored in 105 games. The trade does save some money for the Red Sox, who have five potential free agents on their roster: Brian Meadows, Carlos Febles, Reggie Jefferson, Orlando Palmeiro, and Corey Patterson.