Paul Lo Duca and the Florida Marlins agreed to a minor league deal Friday, a second chance for the veteran catcher who was released by the slumping Washington Nationals after the trading deadline.

Lo Duca, waived by the Nationals after their ninth straight loss on July 31, will report to Triple-A Albuquerque.

This will be Lo Duca's second stint with the Florida organization. He was traded by Los Angeles to the Marlins for Brad Penny in 2004. He was dealt to the Mets after the 2005 season.

Lo Duca, who signed a $5 million, one-year contract with the Nationals as a free agent last December, batted .230 with 12 RBIs in 46 games. He missed 52 games this season with two injuries to his right hand - a bruise and a broken hand. Along the way, the 36-year-old Lo Duca lost his starting job to Jesus Flores.

Lo Duca, a career .286 hitter, apologized to Washington's fans after being let go.

According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Marlins have acquired lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes for 22 year-old righty Gaby Hernandez.  The Fish acquired Hernandez in '05 for Paul Lo Duca.  Hernandez is a solid return for Rhodes, even if he struggled in a Triple A stint this year.  He spent some time on the DL this year with a left intercostal strain.

Rhodes, 38, has a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings this year after missing '07 due to Tommy John surgery

Will Carroll believes the Commissioner's Office has been informed of a Red Sox-Pirates-Marlins trade even though the teams haven't agreed on the prospects.  Here's how he sees it:

Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (BOS), and cash (likely Ramirez’s remaining salary)
Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two FLO, one BOS)
Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow

Theirs also rumors of a Mike Jacobs for Bengie Molina of the Giants.  I'm thinking that one is just staright up.

And the one from earlier today.......

The Marlins could be closer to a deal to acquire left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners, who are looking only for a midlevel minor-league prospect in return. Rhodes, 37, is 2-0 with a 3.83 ERA in 35 relief appearances this season.

Late last night, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus had an interesting rumor:

One good source told me that he had heard that the Marlins were involved, willing to give up Jeremy Hermida and Boston-area product Jeff Allison, but I couldn't confirm this. I just don't see this deal getting done.

I imagine the Red Sox would be willing to eat all of Ramirez's salary to get a player like Hermida.  As Carroll said, it seems unlikely.