Mark DeRosa is the latest member of the Giants roster -- previously, Nate Schierholtz was named as a possible trade candidate -- to find himself in the ever-swirling MLB rumor mill.
But unlike Schierholtz, there's actually a team tied to DeRosa; in this case, it's the Marlins.
According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the Miami Sun-Sentinel, the Fish are interested in the possibility of acquiring DeRosa from the Giants, likely for a prospect and/or someone with more range at shortstop than Miguel Tejada.
(Okay, Rodriguez didn't say that, but I'm assuming the Giants will address a weakness and/or deal from a strength to boost the farm system.)
For the Marlins' part, DeRosa makes a lot of sense, because he'd slot in immediately and play third base for them, while also boosting their infield depth. DeRosa hasn't seen a pile of action this year, but when forced into the lineup, he's performed admirably at the plate.
DeRosa would be cheap as well: he's currently in the final year of a two-year, $12.5 million deal and he'd end up costing -- if the Giants don't pay anything on the remainder of his salary -- less than $5 million, depending on when he was acquired.
Additionally, his status as a free agent after 2011 means the Marlins can bring along Matt Dominguez, who Baseball America rightly ranks as the top prospect in their farm system.
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Dominguez started the year in Triple A, but has been dealing with injuries, and the four-headed monster of Greg Dobbs, Donnie Murphy, Wes Helms and Emilio Bonifacio hasn't exactly been tearing things up offensively. DeRosa's also a defensive upgrade over any of those guys.
More importantly, the deal works on the Giants' end too. Pablo Sandoval and his svelte new body are entrenched at third base and Freddy Sanchez is obviously the guy at second, though injuries could be a concern, but Mike Fontenot's done well on short notice before and can do so again.
Plus, with some guys who will be eying extensions in the offseason -- Tim Lincecum, Sandoval most notably -- it wouldn't hurt to save some money.
And, because Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Cody Ross, Andres Torres are all occupying outfield spots (not to mention the whole Brandon Belt/Aubrey Huff conundrum that will pop up again at some point), DeRosa's roster spot becomes a bit superfluous.
In other words, it's a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides, so don't be shocked if it goes down.
