November 11, 200421 yr By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Armando Benitez (left) is one of the key free agents the Marlins want to bring back. (Alan Diaz/AP) KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- As the big spenders prepare to open their wallets for free agent stars like Carlos Beltran, the Marlins have their sights set on more modest signings. Because of payroll restraints, the Marlins are not eyeing, say, one particular impact player. They are searching to unearth some diamonds in the rough, particularly relief pitchers. Stacking up the back end of the bullpen is arguably the biggest offseason priority. In the upcoming days and weeks, the Marlins will search available options for relief help. Affordability and availability are two significant factors. "Hopefully, we won't have to rebuild on the fly as we did the past few years," general manager Admin Beinfest said Wednesday. At the GM meetings this week in Key Biscayne, Fla., Beinfest has engaged in preliminary conversations with about 15 teams. While no trades are imminent, the Marlins have a better feel for what other teams are thinking and talking about. Unlike past years, the Marlins are in a different position at these meetings. A year ago, the team knew it would have difficulty retaining first baseman Derrek Lee, who was traded in late November to the Cubs. And two years ago, the Marlins headed to the GM meetings looking to unload the high salaries of center fielder Preston Wilson and catcher Charles Johnson. Eventually, both were sent to the Rockies as part of the deal that brought in center fielder Juan Pierre. This season is a bit different. Most of the team's regular position players will be back. The Marlins do risk losing two All-Star pitchers, Carl Pavano and Armando Benitez, in free agency. Pavano's agent, Miami native Scott Shapiro, said on Wednesday that he has spoken with about a dozen teams. Among those who he had general conversations with are the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Orioles and Mariners. The Marlins extended a three-year, $21 million offer to Pavano last week, but the right-hander is going to shop around before making a decision. Regardless of what happens with Pavano and Benitez, the Marlins remain focused on adding pitching, especially in the bullpen. A turning point last season came in late April when setup right-hander Chad Fox suffered inflammation in his right elbow that caused him to miss the remainder of the season. Without Fox, the Marlins patched together the back end of the 'pen. Getting the game to Benitez in the ninth was a challenge until Guillermo Mota was obtained in the July 30 trade with the Dodgers. "Losing Chad Fox was huge," Beinfest said. "This past year when Chad went down, we went a long time [without dependable setup help]. We'd like to have depth in the back. It's something we always talk about." The Marlins are hopeful Tim Spooneybarger makes a successful return from Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss all of last season. Spooneybarger, who had his right elbow ligament replaced in September 2003, is expected to be healthy when Spring Training opens. But with all players coming off major surgery, there is uncertainty. "We are counting on him," Beinfest said. The team also has expressed interest in re-signing free agent right-hander Rudy Seanez. Although the bullpen had its ups and downs, Beinfest felt the area vastly improved in the second half of the season with the additions of Seanez and Mota. "We found some guys," he said. "I really thought that after the trades, that the bullpen was pretty good. It had depth. It was not an area that was lagging. Yes, it had its [bad] days. Mota had his days and Seanez had his days. But, by and large, in my opinion, I didn't think we lost a lot of games in the second half because of our bullpen. "We were also built for our pitching to carry us into the sixth or seventh innings, to win. When that doesn't happen consistently, we struggled at times. I think Chad Fox [injury] hurt us. There was a lot of confidence in Chad Fox. We had a pretty good idea in what Armando could do. But we didn't know he would be that lights out. If we could have had Chad and Armando for a while, I think it would have been dangerous." Marlins Article
November 11, 200421 yr good...if we can sign Chad and Rudy and put them with Mota and Spoon...we'll need to get a lefty and we're good...Maybe Groom?!!??!
November 11, 200421 yr good...if we can sign Chad and Rudy and put them with Mota and Spoon...we'll need to get a lefty and we're good...Maybe Groom?!!??! 612604[/snapback] what good is Buddy Groom? Perisho did better.
November 11, 200421 yr Thank God. The biggest glaring hole at the beginning of last season was the BP...and Fox's departure only made a tenuous situation worse. Many of us called for the BP to be strengthened last off-season......and nothing was done. Nice to see they learned not too count too heavily on their AAAA pitchers. If they build a sturdy BP, we will make it into the playoffs next year.
November 11, 200421 yr who is ac? 612595[/snapback] I am wondering the same thing, maybe he meant AB 612772[/snapback] no, he meant CP. dude needs to toss his dvorak keyboard.
November 11, 200421 yr who is ac? 612595[/snapback] I am wondering the same thing, maybe he meant AB 612772[/snapback] no, he meant CP. dude needs to toss his dvorak keyboard. 612798[/snapback] good call
November 11, 200421 yr The bullpen didn't keep us out of the playoffs. The pitiful offense did. Even a bullpen of Benitez, Rivera, Gagne and Wagner can't secure 1-run leads every night. Improving the offense should be at the top of the list this winter. Although a strong bullpen, which necessarily doesn't need to consist of overpaid veterans, may be more of a prority than a good 4th or 5th starter.
November 11, 200421 yr The bullpen didn't keep us out of the playoffs. The pitiful offense did. Even a bullpen of Benitez, Rivera, Gagne and Wagner can't secure 1-run leads every night. Improving the offense should be at the top of the list this winter. Although a strong bullpen, which necessarily doesn't need to consist of overpaid veterans, may be more of a prority than a good 4th or 5th starter. 612813[/snapback] i agree. in particular, we need more power (which, unfortunately, will cost quite a bit).
November 11, 200421 yr The bullpen didn't keep us out of the playoffs. The pitiful offense did. Even a bullpen of Benitez, Rivera, Gagne and Wagner can't secure 1-run leads every night. Improving the offense should be at the top of the list this winter. Although a strong bullpen, which necessarily doesn't need to consist of overpaid veterans, may be more of a prority than a good 4th or 5th starter. 612813[/snapback] Actually, I would think that bullpen would hold a one run lead every night.
November 11, 200421 yr The bullpen didn't keep us out of the playoffs. The pitiful offense did. Even a bullpen of Benitez, Rivera, Gagne and Wagner can't secure 1-run leads every night. Improving the offense should be at the top of the list this winter. Although a strong bullpen, which necessarily doesn't need to consist of overpaid veterans, may be more of a prority than a good 4th or 5th starter. 612813[/snapback] Yeah BUT the only way we can visibly improve this offense is to land a big name player, that's it. Making the bullpen a strength is a cheap improvement to the team and if we can't afford a big name slugger should be one of our chief aims. I'd rather get two long top relief pitchers than keep Lo Duca on this team.
November 11, 200421 yr I hope Pavano pulls a Pettite and opts for less money(Marlins) rather than go to another team that is offering them more money.
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