Sorry Yankees, no rose for you…

The Florida Marlins are now the belle of the off-season ball.

Alex Rodriguez seems poised to sign a $275 million deal to remain a Yankee, and that makes Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera the best player on the market.

The L.A. Times is reporting the Marlins have set their sites on Southern California as the future destination for the corpulent third baseman. The Marlins are reportedly looking for a bevy of young arms in return for the 24 year old star.

The Marlins would like the Angels to include second baseman Howie Kendrick and top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart in any trade and would like the Dodgers to include pitcher Chad Billingsley or top pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw, perhaps both. The Marlins traditionally insist on top young pitching in any deal.

As I noted before, the Dodgers are the best trade partner for the Marlins to have. They are desperate for some pop in the lineup, and have a slew of young talent to offer. Marlins GM Larry Beinfest is smart to get the Angels and Dodgers competing with each other. The Angels and owner Artie Moreno were hoping to make a splash with the signing of Alex Rodriguez, but that seems to be for not. Miguel has proven to be just as good of an offensive player, and is eight years younger. Cabrera stands to make around $11 million this year in arbitration, and has made a commitment to lose weight for his new new suitor.

Both teams should be clamoring for the chance for a 10 year marriage with Miguel Cabrera. They both have a third base need, both have sputtering offenses, and each team wants to keep the other off the front page of the Los Angeles Times (or Orange County Register, but who reads that crapfest?).

Odds of getting the final rose:

• Dodgers: 3-1

• Angels: 5-1

• Billy: 2,000 - 1

Its okay Billy, at least you still have the Mermaids.

You have Pesky’s Pole, we have these…