An impending fire sale by the Marlins could directly benefit the Mets, but Luis Castillo or Paul Lo Duca appears more likely to land in Flushing than Carlos Delgado, who could be bound for Baltimore. Marlins president David Samson, the son of owner Jeffrey Loria's ex-wife, has taken over control of the club from Loria and ordered the payroll be slashed by 25-30%, with speculation it could be as low as $40 million in 2006, an organization source said. Josh Beckett could be the first marquee player dealt, with the Rangers having the inside track because of an offer that includes value-priced Hank Blalock, who is under contract through '08 at $13.7 million. Texas also would take on Mike Lowell's remaining money (two years, $18 million). With the Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies and Angels also interested in Beckett, no deal appears imminent.