July 4, 200322 yr They might sign m to a muliti year deal aftertis season! Players want more signs of commitment By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Friday, July 4, 2003 PHILADELPHIA -- Credit the Florida Marlins with a public-relations hit for making a rare public announcement that Mike Lowell, their best and most popular player, will remain with the team for the rest of the season. But Lowell and his teammates said the front office will make a louder statement on its commitment to the team by what moves are made during the next few weeks. "It's definitely a step in the right direction, but what that means as far as everyone else, I don't know. There are still a lot of players here with uncertain futures," reliever Braden Looper said. The Marlins, at.500 as they begin their final stretch into the All-Star break with nine games on the road, start a three-game series tonight against the Phillies. Last season, the Marlins were two games above.500 at the All-Star break when the front office essentially gave up on the season by trading away left fielder Cliff Floyd and pitcher Ryan Dempster on July 11. While the team's commitment to Lowell signals an intent to compete for the playoffs, it also has ramifications for other Marlins players. According to most estimates, it will take a payroll increase of $30 million to keep the current team intact next season. Second baseman Luis Castillo, who is earning $4.85 million, becomes a free agent next season. He is being sought by the Cardinals, Padres and Reds, and teams are being told minor-league infielder Kevin Hooper, who most likely would succeed Castillo, is off limits. First baseman Derrek Lee, who is earning $4.25 million, also is on the trading block. Left fielder Miguel Cabrera will take grounders at first base during batting practice on the road trip. Hooper and Lee are fifth-year arbitration-eligible players. Lee can earn up to $7 million in 2004 and Hooper, who was being pursued by several teams earlier this season, could get at least $3 million. While the Marlins say they want to keep Lowell, owner Jeffrey Loria won't discuss how much of a financial commitment he's willing to put into the team next season. "It's nice to keep Mike Lowell," outfielder Brian Banks said. "But the bottom line is there's still a budget issue that they have to be concerned with." General Manager Admin Beinfest has indicated the team will consider a multiyear deal for their All-Star third baseman, who leads the National League with 26 home runs. Perhaps the more relevant question is whether Lowell, a free agent after next season, is interested in signing a long-term deal with the Marlins. "Everyone is talking about this long-term deal that I haven't heard anything about," he said. "(Beinfest) mentioned it to me in passing, that he was going to contact my agent at the appropriate time. For all I know, I'm with the Marlins guaranteed for maybe two more months than I was before. "Would I like to stay? Yeah, I'd like to stay, but I'd like to stay here if we win. I think they'll make more of a statement with what they do with the guys on our team now, what they do with Luis or Derrek or (Brad) Penny. I'm not saying they can't get traded, but they shouldn't get traded for guys who are two years away from the big leagues. "I'm more optimistic as of now. I don't say we're holding onto one guy because everyone else is gone. I say, 'They haven't done anything yet, so let's keep playing well.' " Link
July 4, 200322 yr "Hooper and Lee are fifth-year arbitration-eligible players. Lee can earn up to $7 million in 2004 and Hooper, who was being pursued by several teams earlier this season, could get at least $3 million." That article says Hooper is due 3 million in arby??? huh? :plain
July 4, 200322 yr Lowell statement: "Would I like to stay? Yeah, I'd like to stay, but I'd like to stay here if we win. I think they'll make more of a statement with what they do with the guys on our team now, what they do with Luis or Derrek or (Brad) Penny. I'm not saying they can't get traded, but they shouldn't get traded for guys who are two years away from the big leagues. That's why this next month is huge for Beinfest. He will have to get a Dunn , Nixon or Klesko to keep Lowell and the fans happy even if the team falls out of the race. Pitching will NOT be a much of a concern as I thought. Hutchinson,Bautista, Snare and Grilli are just a few names that could be with this club next season. A big bat to go along with Mikey is HUGE
July 4, 200322 yr You think they would bring up Hutch or Denny for a run Ed? They started the year in Jupiter...don't know how old they are though...although im sure Bautista is 3 years older then hes listed
July 4, 200322 yr No I think if they are smart they finish the season in AA and wait till the spring to see if they win a spot on the team.
July 4, 200322 yr No I think if they are smart they finish the season in AA and wait till the spring to see if they win a spot on the team. I agree...they are too inexperienced, but we have a TON of pitching that will contend for spots in spring training.
July 4, 200322 yr Next years Florida Marlins are this years Chicago Cubs. Awesome rotation, solid bullpen. Mike Lowell will be the big bat, complimented by A-Gon, Juan E., Miguel, and Ramon...
July 4, 200322 yr Next years Florida Marlins are this years Chicago Cubs. Awesome rotation, solid bullpen. Mike Lowell will be the big bat, complimented by A-Gon, Juan E., Miguel, and Ramon... Only position I'm worried about next season is LF and 2B. Hopefully we deal with the Reds and get that pitcher, Lopez, and Smitherman...I really want this kid hes going to be a stud in LF. Jose Guillen wants to sign with the Pirates in the offseason so forget about him..
July 4, 200322 yr He will have to get a Dunn , Nixon or Klesko to keep Lowell and the fans happy even if the team falls out of the race. Trot Nixon would be perfect. He's an awesome clutch hitter. Runners On: 37-for-121 (.306) Scoring Position: 28-for-86 (.326) Scoring Posn, 2 out: 16-for-52 (.308)
July 4, 200322 yr Trot Nixon would be perfect. He's an awesome clutch hitter. Runners On: 37-for-121 (.306) Scoring Position: 28-for-86 (.326) Scoring Posn, 2 out: 16-for-52 (.308) Ryan Klesko homered Thursday and went 5-for-10 with two homers and six RBI during the three-game series against Los Angeles. Klesko appears to be completely healthy for the first time this season. He's someone who can be counted on to step up in the second half. c/o of rotoworld...would also love to get this guy, but he wants to play first and we'd ahve to move him to the OF after this season.
July 4, 200322 yr Only position I'm worried about next season is LF and 2B. Hopefully we deal with the Reds and get that pitcher, Lopez, and Smitherman...I really want this kid hes going to be a stud in LF. Jose Guillen wants to sign with the Pirates in the offseason so forget about him.. Smitherman would be awesome, but we have no problem in LF. Cabs is there. For NEXT year, I am most worried about 1B, 2B...
July 4, 200322 yr Smitherman would be awesome, but we have no problem in LF. Cabs is there. For NEXT year, I am most worried about 1B, 2B... Thats assuming we move Cabs to first...
July 4, 200322 yr Cabs won't go to 1B... I promise you that... Thats great and all, but....hes taking grounders at first on this road trip, so...your magic ball is incorrect, try again.
July 4, 200322 yr We have two 1B prospects coming up that can't play OF, and then there's Cabs, who CAN EASILY play OF... What do you do?
July 4, 200322 yr I don't think Stokes or Adrian will be ready until 05' ...and Stokes could probably man LF a little better then Millar did.
July 4, 200322 yr But Stokes was still sorry in LF... Cabs has been great. And Gonzalez will be here on Opening Day 2004.
July 4, 200322 yr But Stokes was still sorry in LF... Cabs has been great. And Gonzalez will be here on Opening Day 2004. Like I said, probably better then Millar's defense there....Adrian did terrible at AAA, a hitters league, what makes you think hes ready for the starting 1B spot besides a 1round pick hype?
July 4, 200322 yr Heres Adrian's stat line since being demoted...only 1 HR in 120 AB's but solid avg.... AVG G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO .311 32 119 12 37 49 7 1 1 13 12 22
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