KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- Damion Easley was one of the Marlins' pleasant surprises in 2004.

 

The team was so impressed, they've offered the veteran infielder a contract for next season.

 

Easley, who turns 35 on Thursday, confirmed the Marlins extended a one-year offer, but he isn't ready to finalize his decision.

 

After recently filing for free agency, Easley plans on testing the market.

 

A versatile backup, Easley hit .238 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 98 games. An All-Star second baseman with the Tigers in 1998, Easley played a number of positions last season, including first, second, third, shortstop and right field.

 

He has expressed a desire for more playing time.

 

With the Marlins, he is backing up Gold Glove-winning second baseman Luis Castillo, and slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

 

 

 

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...s_fla&fext=.jsp

Good to hear

we NEED to offer him something to where he will stay!! He is great off the bench

It would be great to resign him. He's a quality backup.

As I said a couple weeks ago, on this posted subject, where else do you find one MLB calibre player who could substitute if there was a significant injury for us at

1B or 2B or SS or 3B and even RF. ???

 

A contender must have an Easley on the bench!

Absolutely necessary insurance policy.

(I also said "Pay the man, he earned it!"

As I said a couple weeks ago, on this posted subject, where else do you find an MLB calibre player who could substitute if there was a significant injury for us at

1B or 2B or SS or 3B or even RF. ???

 

A contender must have an Easley on the bench!

Absolutely necessary insurance policy.

(I aslo said "Pay the man, he earned it!"

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I made the same observation some time ago.

 

:thumbup

It's really up to him. All we can offer him is a spot on the bench. If some other team offers him a little less money, but can guarantee a starting job, it'll be difficult to keep him..

 

I, for one, hope to see him stay, but ultimately it's up to him.

Unless he was offered a very generous contract, he'll probably go somewhere else where he can get a starting job.

He had a decent year off the bench last year. Fantastic compared to his other reserves. However he hadn't hit a lick since 2001. Can we really count on him any more than Josh Wilson, Josh Willingham or Chris Aguila? I don't know. Hope he can keep it up.