Andres Galarraga made it known earlier this week he wanted to be back in a major league uniform by the All-Star break. He'd love for it to have "Marlins" across the chest. Cleared to initiate a comeback bid after beating cancer a second time, "The Big Cat" said Friday he is intrigued at the idea of playing for the defending World Series champions. The Marlins' interest also is piqued. According to a National League source, the Marlins consider Galarraga "a perfect fit," and the feeling is mutual.

 

"Without a doubt," said Galarraga, a native of Venezuela who resides in West Palm Beach. "The Marlins would be great because I'd be close to home. I don't have anything concrete, but they said they were going to talk with my agent."

 

Less than a month shy of his 43rd birthday, Galarraga recently received the go-ahead to start training in earnest. He was a free agent last offseason but was unable to sign after doctors discovered a small but malignant lymphoma in his liver. He underwent chemotherapy and was ultimately pronounced fit to play.

 

Galarraga will start hitting again early next month. He envisions spending a couple of weeks in the minors before resuming his big-league career in the second half.

 

"There are three or four teams that are interested," Galarraga said. "Montreal, the Yankees, Boston, the same ones that were talking to me before spring training. I know it's still early for them to determine if they need a first baseman or a designated power hitter. I imagine by the end of June or beginning of July, teams will know what they need to reinforce their clubs."

 

Galarraga could strengthen the area on the Marlins weakened when Wil Cordero was placed on the disabled list. Out no less than six weeks with both knees in need of arthroscopies, Cordero has yet to undergo the second procedure.

 

In addition to whatever Galarraga supplies offensively, the Marlins would also get an ideal role model for fellow Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera. Ozzie Guillen's departure to manage the White Sox left a void that Galarraga is happy to fill.

 

"I'll keep giving him advice, but I don't think he needs too much," Galarraga said. "Wherever you put him, he does things well. His career is off on the right foot. All he needs is his health more than anything. ... It would be great [to be a Marlin], not just because there are two Venezuelans but because they have a good team. They have a chance to go to the playoffs.

 

"I want to go where I have the most chance to play. I know I'm going to be a pinch hitter more than anything else. I'd like to go to a team that could use help at first every once in a while."

 

Galarraga added he would not attempt a comeback in 2005 if he doesn't sign this year. A veteran of 18 major league seasons, Galarraga has spent all but 72 of his 2,250 games in the National League, where he has hit all but 10 of his 398 homers.

 

"It's like they say, it's not the same to hit .299 as it is to hit .300," Galarraga said. "It's the same with the home runs. I don't think two home runs are going to make a difference as far as my overall numbers, but to say 400 would be sweeter.

 

"If I don't play with any team, I'll still be happy with what I did in my career."

 

 

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I like it. God guy and he can possibly even help Sea Bass's hitting.

Big Cat > Cordero

he was such a great player when he was healthy, it was just really sad to see him get cancer in some of the best years of his career

 

if hes healthy and he wants to be here, sign him up

how much money does he want?

how much money does he want?

dont know, but i thought he made around 3.5 M in sanfran.

I doubt it would be that much.....and if he got a better deal from the Yankees or something, he'd probably still sign here if his public intentions are the same as his private ones. And in a sense, he is right. He is the perfect fit. I doubt Jack was that pleased about starting Choi yesterday though he performed well at the plate and made that great play on the grounder, and Galarraga would give us someone to platoon him with that wouldn't throw the entire defense into a state of flux.

I dont think he would contribute all that much offensively. He would only take time away from Choi - who seems to be doing fine and NEEDS to just play.

 

But, Galarraga could help in being a mentor for Cabrera and even AGon. That is worth signing him up for right there. Other than that, we dont really need him - he would be a luxury in my opinion. An extra coach.

I agree, Choi needs to play everyday no matter what. But the Big Cat might be a nice pinch hitter, and of course the mentor thing. Who knows, maybe he can snap Alex into some consistent hitting or something.

He wouldnt be that expensive. First off he would only be here for half the season, so they could only pay him for half. He is 43 years old so not that many teams will want him. I wouldnt be suprised if he signed for close the min because he wants to pay and get 2 more homers

Big Cat > Cordero

:thumbup sign him for less than a million

I wouldn't mind signing him, but who would you replace on the roster for him?

I wouldn't mind signing him, but who would you replace on the roster for him?

Someone like Sutton.

I don't think there's more of a perfect fit right now. It really would be just a great acquisition, I know I'm crossing my fingers.

I wouldn't mind signing him, but who would you replace on the roster for him?

Someone like Sutton. What about when Cordero is ready to come back?

I wouldn't mind signing him, but who would you replace on the roster for him?

Someone like Sutton. What about when Cordero is ready to come back? Expanded rosters?

Cordero isn't going to be back for a long time.

Galarraga can play OF and 3rd base as well. and i think he played SS for a couple of games in sanfran.

Cordero isn't going to be back for a long time.

Yes, but he'll probably be back by the first of August. We could take the attitude that we'll worry about it then.

 

I'd love to have Galarraga on the Marlins but I'm afraid McKeon would want to platoon him with Choi and I'd like to see Choi out there every day now, except against particularly tough lefties.

Galarraga can play OF and 3rd base as well. and i think he played SS for a couple of games in sanfran.

Galarraga has never played OF or SS in the majors. I'd bet he hasn't played SS since high school. His entire major league experience at 3B is one or two innings for the Rockies in 1996; he did not have any chances.

 

He is strictly a 1B/DH/PH.

 

Cordero was a SS and has played some 3B (badly - 2 games, 3 errors) and now OF. Though watching him botch plays in LF and 1B makes me wonder how he was ever a regular major league shortstop.

Galarraga can play OF and 3rd base as well. and i think he played SS for a couple of games in sanfran.

Galarraga has never played OF or SS in the majors. I'd bet he hasn't played SS since high school. His entire major league experience at 3B is one or two innings for the Rockies in 1996; he did not have any chances.

 

He is strictly a 1B/DH/PH.

 

Cordero was a SS and has played some 3B (badly - 2 games, 3 errors) and now OF. Though watching him botch plays in LF and 1B makes me wonder how he was ever a regular major league shortstop. he played 3b some last year in sanfran!!!

I dont think he would contribute all that much offensively. He would only take time away from Choi - who seems to be doing fine and NEEDS to just play.

 

But, Galarraga could help in being a mentor for Cabrera and even AGon. That is worth signing him up for right there. Other than that, we dont really need him - he would be a luxury in my opinion. An extra coach.

I agree...As of salary, I don't think we should give him over a million. Anything over that would be overpaying for an aged 43 year old. At this point in his career, I don't think even the Big Cat himself would ask for more...he just wants to play, and being in Fla. would obviously be a big plus for him.

[Galarraga] played 3b some last year in sanfran!!!

Not according to Yahoo or Baseball Reference.

Galarraga can play OF and 3rd base as well. and i think he played SS for a couple of games in sanfran.

Galarraga has never played OF or SS in the majors. I'd bet he hasn't played SS since high school. His entire major league experience at 3B is one or two innings for the Rockies in 1996; he did not have any chances.

 

He is strictly a 1B/DH/PH.

 

Cordero was a SS and has played some 3B (badly - 2 games, 3 errors) and now OF. Though watching him botch plays in LF and 1B makes me wonder how he was ever a regular major league shortstop. he played 3b some last year in sanfran!!! We already have 6 different players that can play 3rd base. Conine, Lowell, Cabs, Easley, Mordy, and Lenny are all capable of playing 3rd base and have played 3rd base at some point in their careers.

 

There is no need to sign this guy.

i think we'd be better off spending the money on someone in the pen or something