Redmond going ... Seanez gone

 

BY JUAN C. RODRIGUEZ

 

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Marlins lost their first free agent Tuesday and another is halfway out the door.

 

Right-handed pitcher Rudy Seanez agreed to a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, and catcher Mike Redmond is American League-bound.

 

A member of the organization since 1992, Redmond has agreed with the Minnesota Twins on a two-year contract that guarantees just under $2 million.

 

Monday the Marlins offered Redmond a one-year deal for $340,000 less than his 2004 salary ($840,000). He already had more attractive bids in hand.

 

The reigning AL Central champion Twins are a good fit for Redmond. He'll catch Cy Young winner Johan Santana and mentor up-and-coming catcher Joe Mauer, who spent most of his rookie season sidelined with a knee injury.

 

Since his major league debut in 1998, Redmond appeared in 485 games for the Marlins. He can boast a .284 batting average, .313 against lefties.

 

Whether it's Matt Treanor or someone else backing up Paul Lo Duca, the Marlins need a productive second catcher.

 

For Lo Duca to maintain robust numbers in the second half, he may need regular rest in the South Florida summer. The last three seasons Lo Duca has averaged 130 games behind the plate.

 

The Marlins were interested in re-signing Seanez, but not for more than $400,000. They wouldn't budge off that figure and Seanez couldn't pass up the chance to play in San Diego, which is 90 minutes west of his El Centro, Calif., residence.

 

Seanez said in all likelihood he would have re-signed with the Marlins had they matched the Padres' $550,000 offer. Seanez can make an additional $400,000 in bonuses.

 

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? 2004 South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

 

Visit the Sun-Sentinel on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun-sentinel.com

sweeet.... wait... not really. =(

wow, just under $2mil?

 

:plain

Good for him. Nice having you, Red.

perfect fit for Red, he plays vs lefties and the lefty batting Joe Marrrrrrrrrr gets his hacks off the rightiis.

 

we couldnt afford that contract anyway so whatevah.

ah well, was fun rooting for you while you were here Red.

 

good guy, I happened to meet him at a local Ale House once & talked baseball for a while.

 

hope he plays well for the Twins.

 

I wonder if Treanor or Willingham has the inside edge.... or if they'll acquire someone else.

I wonder if Treanor or Willingham has the inside edge.... or if they'll acquire someone else.

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for the straight up backup job it has to be Treanor, he has caught more years in the minors than Willingham has played in the minors. we all like Willy's pop and eye but dont forget he hasnt caught more than 150 games total in his life.

Willy will play all over the place next year

 

a lil 1B, a lil 3B, some catcher, some OF, some closer, some GM, some owner

Losing Seanez hurts. We better get like 3 or 4 more arms.

I am going to miss Red

 

Always will remember him saying "Here come the Fish, Here come the Fish" from the bench.

 

PLEASE sign Grant Roberts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :notworthy

Kewl. better to sign with the Twins than another NL team.

I feel a little better now about losing Mike. One of the true Warriors on our team, he reportedly has inked a decent deal and... if I'm reading correctly, he has a chance to be the Opening Day catcher for the Twins.

Good for him.

Best of luck to an original fish. He's been with us through thick and thin and only have good memories of the hardworking, slow, catcher who is a warrior. Good luck Big Red.

Good luck Big Red

 

The Twins were one of the teams I wouldn't have minded seeing him go to.

Frankly, I think both sides did the right thing.

 

For Red, a $2 million, two year contract provides him the financial security he and his family deserve. For the Marlins, not having to commit to him for the next two years gives them some of the (payroll and personnel) flexibility they need until a stadium is more of a reality.

 

I'll miss him but like Juanky said, going to the Twins is not the worst thing that could have happened.

We would never had paid him that much anyways. Best of luck to Red!

eh ... good luck to redmond but I see the marlins point of view, although im pissed that we were only a few bucks appart from signing Seanez

I don't mind this ... love redmond but at least he is with a team I like and respect

I feel a little better now about losing Mike. One of the true Warriors on our team, he reportedly has inked a decent deal and... if I'm reading correctly, he has a chance to be the Opening Day catcher for the Twins.

Good for him.

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Well unless Joe Mauer is majorly hurt, Mauer will be the Opening Day starter

Good Luck Red... You will be missed :thumbup

 

Thanks for Everything you did for the Marlins the past few years :thumbup

 

 

 

 

:confused Hopefully we will find another guy like Red to have on the bench!

I'm going to miss the Red and Mordey show.

Awww,we sure will miss you Red! Good luck .