November 20, 200421 yr MIAMI -- A chance to pitch is just one of the options the Marlins appear to be dangling to veteran left-hander Al Leiter. According to published reports, the Marlins have offered Leiter a one-year contract and the option of moving into the broadcast booth as a television analyst after he retires. The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Leiter has received an offer from the Marlins. The Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel also reported the Marlins' interest in Leiter. A source told MLB.com that it would take about $7 million to sign Leiter, who is also thinking about returning to the Mets or signing with the Yankees. A member of the Marlins' 1997 World Series championship team, Leiter has a South Florida home in Weston. Traded to the Mets in a deal that brought back A.J. Burnett, Leiter could be an alternative starting pitcher on a staff that may lose free agent All-Star Carl Pavano. Leiter broke in with the Yankees in 1987. Last year, with the Mets, the veteran was 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA. Leiter was with the Marlins in 1996 and 1997. He was 27-21 in 55 starts for Florida. The prospect of Leiter serving on the Marlins broadcast team in the future could be intriguing. Leiter was part of the Fox broadcast team during the playoffs, and Marlins TV play-by-play announcer Len Kasper signed a multi-year contract to broadcast for the Cubs on Friday. The Marlins are also working on re-signing backup infielder Damion Easley. The team could be close to losing veteran backup catcher Mike Redmond, who has spent his entire career in the Marlins organization. The relocated Washington team and the Phillies, along with eight American League clubs, have interest in Redmond.
November 20, 200421 yr Why do I have a feeling that we are going to overpay for him. 618227[/snapback] I wouldn't go more than 2 years at $4-6 million per year, but I think he would be a great fit for this team. He can certainly offer a lot to Beckett, Burnett, and Willis.
November 20, 200421 yr I say bring him in. Leiter would be a sentimental favorite from the 97 team and may even get some people to buy some more tickets.
November 20, 200421 yr No thank you....too old and his talent is on the lower end....Sign Odalis Perez or Jon Lieber please.
November 20, 200421 yr I say bring him in. Leiter would be a sentimental favorite from the 97 team and may even get some people to buy some more tickets. 618236[/snapback] I don't know if he'd bring in more fans but he'd be a great influence on the team. Dontrelle could learn a lot from him.
November 20, 200421 yr I'd love if he pitched and then went to work in the booth. Biases aside, the guy is an amazing announcer.
November 20, 200421 yr 1 year $6 million or 2 years $10 million would be what I would offer. We just need someone who can fill in until our young talented pitchers are ready.
November 20, 200421 yr please do not over pay for this guy...there are way better pitchers in FA...as long as we get another quality starter i wouldnt mind but only at the right price...
November 20, 200421 yr Why do I have a feeling that we are going to overpay for him. 618227[/snapback] We can't to afford to overpay ANYONE right now. And I doubt that if we were to overpay someone, it would be Al Leiter. My take: good move. Hope he signs here.
November 20, 200421 yr I say bring him in. He was a very good pitcher for the Mets last year. Remember the Mets had the best starting rotation in ERA most of last season in the NL.
November 20, 200421 yr Al lieter had pretty good numbers last year on a bad team. He 10-8 with 3.21 era. I would give him something like 5 million dollars a year. thats half of pavano, we could even go out and sign someone else like odalis perez and have 2 guys instead of one
November 20, 200421 yr Id like to have Leiter back too. He did have a solid year though with that low BAA and ERA. Which suggests he isnt slowing down. Burnett Leiter Beckett Willis ???
November 20, 200421 yr BY DAN GRAZIANO Star-Ledger Staff hey, he used to write for the palm beach post. anyways, i think it'd be nice to have leiter back.
November 20, 200421 yr I loved Leiter when he was here, he's a great person for the organization to have around. He's still a decent pitcher and he will make a great player/coach because he has such a huge amount of knowledge of the game, I also would love to see him up in the booth in a couple of years.
November 20, 200421 yr I'm amazed how many here seem to think (by inference) that the Marlins/Beinfest may be willing to overpay for Leiter when their history here would prove otherwise. I haven't the faintest idea what a fair price for Leiter might be but if we get him I feel rest assured the franchise will not have paid one penny more than they thought was doable. We can debate whether it's $4 mil, five mil, six mil, one year, two years blah blah blah. The market will determine his value and Beinfest and Loria will determine whether we can and ought to pay the price. These are guys who afterall were willing to dispose of Cliff Floyd in the face of enormous media scorn because they knew he was overpriced (for what he was). They didn't lay down for Pudge last season and they won't over pay for Leiter either.
November 21, 200421 yr Author I'm amazed how many here seem to think (by inference) that the Marlins/Beinfest may be willing to overpay for Leiter when their history here would prove otherwise. I haven't the faintest idea what a fair price for Leiter might be but if we get him I feel rest assured the franchise will not have paid one penny more than they thought was doable. We can debate whether it's $4 mil, five mil, six mil, one year, two years blah blah blah. The market will determine his value and Beinfest and Loria will determine whether we can and ought to pay the price. These are guys who afterall were willing to dispose of Cliff Floyd in the face of enormous media scorn because they knew he was overpriced (for what he was). They didn't lay down for Pudge last season and they won't over pay for Leiter either. 618337[/snapback] Well said.
November 21, 200421 yr I know this sounds crazy, but I think it DOES make sense to overpay to get him. An extra million here or there is not what breaks a team's bank. What kills a team is signing someone to a long-term deal and having them not perform. The front-office knows this - if Pudge had been willing to take a shorter deal for more money he'd be a Marlin today. for a team in our situation, when a player the calibur of Leiter is willing to take a one-year contract, that is a gift from the gods. We shouldn't let it get away. Sure he might not end up being worth every single penny, but at one year only, it's a good, smart, low-risk investment.
November 21, 200421 yr It'd be nice to have Leiter be a broadcaster for the team in the future. 618306[/snapback] How would you fit him in? Alternate with Tommy? On radio alongside DVH? Move Tommy to radio with DVH and stick Al on TV?
November 21, 200421 yr Author It'd be nice to have Leiter be a broadcaster for the team in the future. 618306[/snapback] How would you fit him in? Alternate with Tommy? On radio alongside DVH? Move Tommy to radio with DVH and stick Al on TV? 618664[/snapback] A team of 3 broadcasters. No alternates or switching between radio and TV, just have the entire TV broadcast team consist of 3 people. Boog, Tommy, and Leiter.
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