07/01/2004 8:00 AM ET

Marlins will look to repeat success

Won't hestitate to make deals if it impoves team's lot

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

Jeff Conine paid dividends last year when Mike Lowell went down with an injury. (Elsa/Getty Images)

 

 

 

MIAMI -- Crafty wheeling and dealing enabled the Marlins to pull off one of the most remarkable and improbable World Series title runs a year ago.

If the opportunity presents itself again, general manager Admin Beinfest insists the Marlins will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to give the defending champions every opportunity to repeat. Within reason.

 

"We've shown in the past that we certainly will make every effort to improve ourselves," Beinfest said.

 

"But it comes with challenges."

 

Like so many other teams, the Marlins are working within tight financial restraints. So any deal must be savvy and economically smart.

 

Despite not going on a consistent winning streak since jumping out to an 8-1 start, the Marlins have remained ahead of the Phillies in the NL East for most of the season.

 

If the division remains bunched up with the Phillies, Mets and Braves also in contention, the Marlins promise to be among the contenders in September.

 

"We certainly are pleased with position in the standings," Beinfest said.

 

"And we haven't hit on all cylinders. We believe pitching will win. We're built around defense and pitching, and we hope to manufacture enough runs."

 

With the July 31 trade deadline drawing closer, the Marlins are in a buyer's stance. Owner Jeffrey Loria pulled out the stops a year ago and shocked the baseball community by outmaneuvering teams like the Yankees to land reliever Ugueth Urbina just before the All-Star break.

 

The Marlins also picked up reliever Chad Fox and acquired Jeff Conine last Aug. 31 after Mike Lowell suffered a broken bone to his left hand.

 

In making the pivotal Urbina and Conine deals, the Marlins dealt several top prospects. Despite those departures, Beinfest says there is enough talent in the minor leagues attractive enough to pull off deals, if the price is right.

 

As a low-revenue generating team, the Marlins are money conscious. They aren't in position to take on a great deal of salary. That's why they weren't heavy in the hunt for Carlos Beltran, recently moved to the Astros.

 

The World Series roster came with a $52 million price tag. The team's payroll is in that neighborhood again, and there isn't a great deal of wiggle room.

 

The two biggest needs are another proven run-producing offensive player and another setup reliever.

 

Recently, the Marlins took steps to solidify the bullpen by acquiring Billy Koch from the White Sox for minor league infielder Wilson Valdez. The deal became manageable because the White Sox are picking up all but $500,000 of his multi-million-dollar salary.

 

In the past, Koch has been an effective closer. But he struggled with his control with the White Sox, and became expendable. It's unclear if he will be the answer in short relief.

 

If not, the Marlins will join the long list of teams in need of established setup relievers, a rare commodity.

 

Offensively, help behind the plate is high on the shopping list. Ramon Castro, the Opening Day catcher, is on the disabled list with inflammation to his right big toe. His production was low, making his future with the club in doubt.

 

Veteran Mike Redmond has become an everyday catcher, a role he has never done in the past. And while Redmond is solid, he is seen primarily as a backup being forced to play.

 

But finding a proven catcher is difficult.

 

The Marlins could turn their search to an outfielder, which would be easier to acquire. Left fielder Jeff Conine's numbers are down. And he recently turned 38 and he's been hampered by a shoulder problem. As the Marlins showed with Urbina, they are willing to rent a player for a few months.

 

"We expect to be in the thick of it," Beinfest said.

 

"We're open to anything, and we've shown we will be creative."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Good that they are talking about getting both an RBI producer and a reliever.

hopefully loria will open up his check book.

It's not about the checkbook. It is about not giving away the farm and getting the right player(s).

Would anything be more perfect than getting Javy Lopez AND BJ Ryan in one deal?

 

They probably won't trade Javy but it's wishful thinking!

Matters what we offer Baltimore, but I doubt we need them.

That would be a dream deal, but at least htey are saying publicly they want to improve the team, of course almost every team is going to say that

this article is all fluff