Maybe Sampson is a Cancer after all...

 

Mutiny' splits front office

 

By Mike Berardino

Staff writer

Posted October 18 2004

 

BOSTON ? Facing one of the most important offseasons in franchise history, the Marlins' front office has devolved into a tense environment of mistrust and disillusionment.

 

According to multiple industry sources, several top members of the scouting and player development staff are mulling over resignation in protest of what they consider the heavy-handed management style of Marlins President David Samson and General Manager Admin Beinfest.

 

 

At issue, according to sources, is Samson's insistence on finding out which member of the front office leaked information to a South Florida newspaper about a possible trade of third baseman Mike Lowell. The story broke Friday, and much of the weekend meetings at the New York offices of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria centered on that breach of information.

 

Further meetings have been scheduled for today in South Florida, and Samson has threatened to fire anyone believed to have leaked information. Samson also called the reporter and attempted without success to out the source.

 

"Someone's head is going to roll," said a source familiar with the situation. "Somebody is going to pay the price."

 

Open criticism flew back and forth in New York between Samson and Beinfest on one side and top officials on the other.

 

"It was definite mutiny," the source said. "They were all at each other's throats, questioning everybody's integrity, loyalties and methods. Nobody was spared."

 

Several members of the front office came to the defense of former farm director Marc DelPiano, who has been reassigned to the international scouting department. DelPiano was not at the New York meeting.

 

Particular issue was taken with Samson's comment that a "trained monkey" could run the farm system. Brian Chattin, DelPiano's assistant the past two years, is expected to replace his mentor.

 

Baseball America named the Marlins 2003 Organization of the Year not just for winning the World Series, but for strong performance in the minor leagues and scouting. Now that synergy seems to be splintering.

 

There has also been increasing heat over the last several months on Dan Jennings, the club's director of player personnel. Samson and Beinfest are said to resent the close relationship Jennings has built with Loria since joining the organization in July 2002.

 

A similar dynamic caused problems for former Montreal Expos officials Mike Berger and Tony La Cava in 2001, when Loria still owned that franchise. Berger was fired and now scouts for the Colorado Rockies, while La Cava, who resigned, is player personnel director for the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

According to one of his friends in the industry, Jennings has expressed frustration with his situation and is among those who could resign. With his strong reputation as a talent evaluator, dating to his time as Tampa Bay Devil Rays scouting director, Jennings would be a marketable commodity.

 

"If Dan Jennings were out of work, he would be employed within a business day," said a source from a rival organization. "He's the Gene Michael of that organization."

 

Michael is a New York Yankees super scout who has recommended most of the trades and signings that have led to six American League pennants in the last eight seasons.

 

Marlins assistant GMs Jim Fleming and Mike Hill also exchanged angry words with their superiors during the New York meetings. Both are former farm directors who took offense at the lack of appreciation for DelPiano's contributions.

 

Marlins Director of International Operations Fred Ferreira was not at either the New York meeting or last week's organization meetings in South Florida.

 

Ferreira, whose contract expired at season's end, was brought back for at least another two years but at a steep pay cut. International scouting assistant Randy Kierce, Ferreira's son-in-law, was not invited back.

 

NOT SO FAST

 

Trading for Lowell before Nov. 1 might mean keeping him only for next season, not just the next few months, as previously reported.

 

According to Article XX, Section C of Major League Baseball's Basic Agreement, Lowell can, as a player with at least five years of service time and a multiyear contract, request a trade from his new team if the Marlins decide to deal him. However, he can't make that request until after the completion of the season following the trade, which in this case would be 2005.

 

At that point, Lowell could also designate six teams to which he would not accept a trade. The club would have to comply with the request on or before the following March 15 or risk losing Lowell to free agency.

 

The Lowell camp, however, continues to maintain he could demand a trade immediately if the Marlins trade him now. The issue would precipitate a formal grievance if a trade happens, said a source close to Lowell.

 

If Lowell forced a trade by the club that acquired him from the Marlins, he would essentially be forfeiting his right to free agency after the 2007 season. He would revert to arbitration status until after the 2008 season because the rule stipulates he complete another three years of major league service time -- after forcing a trade -- before filing for free agency.

 

If the Marlins trade Lowell, the next three years of his contract automatically become guaranteed at $25.5 million. That breaks down as $7.5 million next season and $9 million each in 2006 and 2007.

 

A source close to Lowell said Saturday the three-time All-Star would definitely exercise his right to demand a trade as soon as possible if the Marlins dealt him away. That vow figures to put a damper on trade demand.

 

Mike Berardino can be reached at mberardino @sun-sentinel.com.

Take it with a grain of salt. I don't doubt the basics, but Beradino has a nasty tendency to over dramatize everything,

 

As far as being the Expos south, yeah we became that when all of Henry's people were fired and Loria's people brought over. But don't doubt they haven't learned from their mistakes. We've had two pretty good seasons after all.

 

Only problem, is we are stuck in a bottom-third market, with no stadium. I said it in a previous post, that if I was a betting man I would bet against us getting the stadium done this year. No way the State will pay $30M with so much hurricane damage to pay for. Loria and Samson have got to know the same thing.

Beradino is a major azz, but still nothing I read above sounded good.

Well when you get basically the front office of the Expos.. the owner of the Expos... and owner which is getting sued mind you... what do you expect? Seriously?

Frisaro on MLB.com and the Marlins own website had the Lowell story before twelve hours before either the Sun-Sentinel or Herald posted theirs so as usual, Beradino's stories don't ring true.

 

Are the Marlins considering moving Lowell? Absolutely (and editorializing, let's hope so). Is Berardino still on a jihad to do the Marlins dirt? You betcha. Internal disputes are common in every business and baseball is no exception.

I think most people know that Lowell needs to be moved, no question about that. The thing that worries me is the way the press has been handling it. At the end of the day when it's all said and done I'm sure they will report it as Lowell being a victim of an evil F.O. , fire sale, etc, and the team will lose fan support. Why don't people understand that in baseball you can't fall in love with anyone? As soon as you start declining you are history. It's the nature of being competitive. I think that when he gets moved, they better open their wallets and sign an "impact player", if they don't go that way, it willprobably be a PR disaster.

Why don't people understand that in baseball you can't fall in love with anyone? As soon as you start declining you are history. 595347[/snapback]

 

The fans certainly can fall and do "in love" with a player. Thats happened throughout baseball history. FO can't, but should value popular players regardless of production.

 

Also remember that we don't play a game until april. So during this time when most of the season tickets are sold, winning doesn't matter, only PR.

looks like we are slipping back into the dark ages.............. wish we could get info from those inside the team. i guess this is what losing like we did does to a FO.

looks like we are slipping back into the dark ages.............. wish we could get info from those inside the team. i guess this is what losing like we did does to a FO.

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No this is what happens with this FO. This is the same FO from Les Expos, and look at what happended to them. As I have told many people I know, if anyone thinks the Marlins will be in Florida 3 years from now you are foolish. Loria's dream in life is getting a major league baseball team and a stadium to play them in, not caring where or how. Vegas lost out on the Expos, they want a team, they can offer a stadium, and there are what 15k marlins fans who would raise a stink if they got up and moved a-la the Baltimore Colts?

he will probably do all he can to get the park down here. miami is a better market than LV, downtown especially with all those new ritzy high rises going up.

he will probably do all he can to get the park down here. miami is a better market than LV, downtown especially with all those new ritzy high rises going up.

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He probably will, but I don't think it will get done. If it would have happend by now, after 1 of the two world championships. This is it. If there is not a stadium deal in place after this upcoming legislative session, Loria will move the Marlins, he is not going to wait forever.

he will probably do all he can to get the park down here. miami is a better market than LV, downtown especially with all those new ritzy high rises going up.

595433[/snapback]

 

He probably will, but I don't think it will get done. If it would have happend by now, after 1 of the two world championships. This is it. If there is not a stadium deal in place after this upcoming legislative session, Loria will move the Marlins, he is not going to wait forever.

595434[/snapback]

 

 

i heard somewhere that thy have a few backup plans incase they don't get the 30 mil. don't know what they are though, gonna have to ask someone that knows more about this then me.

i heard somewhere that thy have a few backup plans incase they don't get the 30 mil.

 

 

THE BACKUP PLAN:

 

 

 

:cool

i heard somewhere that thy have a few backup plans incase they don't get the 30 mil.

 

 

THE BACKUP PLAN:

 

 

 

:cool

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but he said planS

 

 

I think you need at least one more U-haul's

Nah... Huizenga owns the rest. :mischief

Nah... Huizenga owns the rest. :mischief

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How about the Mayflower trucks, a-la the Baltimore Colts?

If the Marlins don't stay in South Florida, Im going to get really pissed off. :banghead

Let's spare the Expos comments. Montreal had been given up on by its two previous owners who had agreements to move the team. Loria had nothing to do with their demise.

 

A better comparision would be Boston Red Sox south. Now with the Sox and when he was with the Marlins, John Henry has been accused of being abusive to local politicians, players, coaches, scouts, managers, agents, organization officials and their associates. Frankly I could care less how Henry, Loria or any owner treats the scouting department (haven't been too impressed with their work, coughAllisoncough) as long as he's not alienating fans and public officials. Although I'm sure Berardino and those experiencing sticker shock would like to claim by acting in this way they are alienating fans.

 

If there is not a stadium deal in place after this upcoming legislative session, Loria will move the Marlins, he is not going to wait forever.

595434[/snapback]

That's my fear as well. Although I don't think it come to that. A stadium deal will be completed this offseason, either with help of the government or more loans. Anyhow I suspect MLB wouldn't leave South Florida for long.

 

Frisaro on MLB.com and the Marlins own website had the Lowell story before twelve hours before either the Sun-Sentinel or Herald posted theirs so as usual, Beradino's stories don't ring true.

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The Marlins don't own the website. Frisaro isn't a Marlins' employee. It's MLB's site and the articles are no more factual than what Berardino, LeBatard, Baxter, Talalay Goldberg or Capozzi could report.

I really don't know what to say, this is bad, very very bad. I believe Berardino, and anyone who doesn't is pulling the wool over their own eyes.

 

Perhaps, if Loria and Samson gave me something to hold onto, I'd take the optomist's view, but we're talking about some really sketchy people who have a very murky agenda...

 

 

Let me preempt what I'm sure everyone is lining up to say:

 

"Who cares, it's the scouting, what have they done, all organizations have infighting, yada yada yada..."

 

Well, here's the thing. First, we look like a cracker jack organization by doing the Lowell thing publicly instead of privately; now this comes out that we've essentially formed into factions. The fact that we're crumbling at the seams essentially tells me that Samson wants to play with Daddy's toy (or in this case, father in law) and that he doesn't care what the reprecussions are. Further more, the fact that we've made Jennings and Ferreira (the two very good talent evaluators we have) angry doesn't bode well for the competitive future of this franchise because we clearly don't have the scouting depth to replace the potential loss of either of those men.

 

And this is one radically out there thought, but I have to propose it:

 

This is all intentional, because the more we weaken ourselves, the clearer our mandate to move is. I hate to think that we'd do so much self inflicted damage as a posturing move, but this is the wonder-kid David Samson we're talking about here. I really hope I'm wrong on that one...

Tswift, You're blaming Loria/Samson for making the Lowell story public?!?!?!

Tswift, You're blaming Loria/Samson for making the Lowell story public?!?!?!

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When did I say that?

 

I'm saying that the way we've handled the Lowell thing makes us look like a joke.

 

The central point of my argument is that Samson and Loria really haven't shown me any reason to allow them to play "hands on" with this franchise (Steinbrenner style), and they certainly don't have the kind of money to make the team their toy, because while Steinbrenner unquestionably treats the Yankees as his toy, Cashman has enough money from Steinbrenner to surround Steinbrenner's overpriced mistakes (Lofton) with talent.

 

Scouting is the strength of this organization, because until we can pay for talent, we're going to have to find unknown talent before someone can take it from us. Ferreira has shown an uncanny ability to find talent, so has Jennings. We alienate them, we're in big trouble.

 

I'll forgive the shortsighted comment you had blaming scouting for Jeff Allison. There is no way you can tell me that you or anyone knew that the kid would throw it all away like he did. We had tremendous success with Beckett coming out of high school and it looks like the same can be said with Adrian Gonzalez (now with Texas) and Jeremy Hermida, so of our "big four" drafting of high-school kids, only one is a certified bust, and who knows, maybe he tries to turn it around.

Frisaro on MLB.com and the Marlins own website had the Lowell story before twelve hours before either the Sun-Sentinel or Herald posted theirs so as usual, Beradino's stories don't ring true.

595342[/snapback]

The Marlins don't own the website. Frisaro isn't a Marlins' employee. It's MLB's site and the articles are no more factual than what Berardino, LeBatard, Baxter, Talalay Goldberg or Capozzi could report.

595619[/snapback]

 

Gee really?

 

I didn't say the Marlins "owned" the website, and I have to believe everyone knows Frisaro is an MLB employee. Sheesh, talk about nitpicking.

Tswift, You're blaming Loria/Samson for making the Lowell story public?!?!?!

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I'll forgive the shortsighted comment you had blaming scouting for Jeff Allison. There is no way you can tell me that you or anyone knew that the kid would throw it all away like he did. We had tremendous success with Beckett coming out of high school and it looks like the same can be said with Adrian Gonzalez (now with Texas) and Jeremy Hermida, so of our "big four" drafting of high-school kids, only one is a certified bust, and who knows, maybe he tries to turn it around.

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Well, first of all, both Beckett or Gonzalez were drafted before Loria and company got here. Our 2003 draft looks pretty terrible at this point, they focused on mostly high school players and almost all of those players have had terrible starts to their professional careers. We all know about Allison, but less notably our 3rd 4th and 5th picks all high schoolers have been huge dissapointments, especially Jai Miller who had a ridiculous amount of K's and his average right at the mendoza line. Not surprisingly the only guy who has any success is 2nd round pick Logan Kensing who was a college player.

 

Everyone knew Hermida was a stud so it's not like they were going out on a limb with that one. The only guy I can think of where I can say, man that was great scouting, is Scott Olsen who was a steal in the 5th round.

 

This year they focused more on the college players and I think we'll see that it will be a much more successful draft.

 

I don't like the fact that the assistant gm's are pissed off, I don't think it would be very good for the Assistant GM's to be feuding with the GM.

cant wait till Mike Hill leaves and gets his chance elsewhere

My apologies, TSwift, I had incorrectly read your sentence.

 

It should be noted that the Expos and Marlins' farm systems have slipped under this scouting department. Only part of that is Loria/Samson/Beinfest's willingness to trade those prospects. Allison is a bust. Hutchison, Miller, Andino and Reed have disappointed. Travis Chick was the only player picked past the 10th round to contribute for us. Johnson and Olsen have put up numbers in pitcher's parks yet rank low as prospects. Dontrelle Willis, Hee-Seop Choi and Bill Murphy were good finds, but Choi was on his way out anyway and the Cubs and A's were flooded with pitchign talent. Don Levinski? Josh Karp? Chad Bentz? Justin Wayne? You're actually impressed by this list? Scouting IS important to a small-budget franchise like the Marlins, but I'd hardly say the present staff has helped win any games.