12/02/2004 5:14 PM ET

Marlins nearing deal with Leiter

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

Al Leiter was 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA with the Mets last season. (Francois Roy/AP)

 

 

 

MIAMI -- In his first tenure with the Marlins, Al Leiter tossed a no-hitter and helped lead the team to the 1997 World Series championship.

At age 39, Leiter appears to be headed for a second stint with Florida.

 

ESPN.com reported Thursday that the Marlins are close to reaching an agreement with Leiter on a one-year contract.

 

The only comment the Marlins are making is they are in discussions with Leiter's representative, Randy Hendricks.

 

Recently, the Marlins offered Leiter a one-year deal, believed to be in the neighborhood of $6 million. There also is speculation that Leiter could be in line for a broadcast position after he retires. However, such a hiring would have to come from Fox Sports Net, which does the hiring of Marlins broadcasters.

 

Adding Leiter would strengthen a rotation that appears to be ready to lose free agent right-hander Carl Pavano, who is attracting serious interest from a number of clubs. Pavano, who was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in '04, set a Marlins record for wins in a season.

 

On Thursday, Pavano's agent, Scott Shapiro, was flying to Detroit for a visit with the Tigers. While at the airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., preparing to travel to Detroit, Shapiro spoke with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

 

Shapiro said he anticipated having a discussion with Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest sometime this week.

 

Leiter spent 1996 and 1997 with the Marlins, compiling a 27-21 record with a 3.51 ERA. The Marlins traded Leiter to the Mets in 1998 in a deal that included A.J. Burnett. The veteran left-hander was 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA with the Mets last season. In 30 starts, he tossed 173 2/3 innings.

 

A resident of Weston, Fla., in Broward County, Leiter has pitched more than 15 seasons in the Major Leagues.

 

Last month, the Mets declined to pick up a $10 million option on Leiter. Recently, Leiter broke off talks with the Mets. The Yankees also appeared to be interested in Leiter.

 

In 1996, Leiter tossed the first of the Marlins' three no-hitters. He did so on May 11 in an 11-0 win over the Rockies.

 

Leiter has enjoyed great success pitching at Pro Player Stadium, where he has a 22-9 record with a 2.77 ERA in 38 games.

 

Should Leiter sign, he would join a rotation that includes Josh Beckett, Burnett and Dontrelle Willis. The search is on for a fifth starter.

 

Along with searching for starting help, the Marlins are still looking to beef up the bullpen.

 

Chad Fox, who missed almost the entire 2004 season with right elbow inflammation, said the team recently told him he would not be offered arbitration on Dec. 7. That means the Marlins will not be able to negotiate with Fox until May 1.

 

Fox said Thursday that the Marlins have left him with an open invitation to sign a minor league contract at a later date.

 

"I have nothing but admiration for the way the Marlins treated me," Fox said.

 

Fox, who is long-tossing three days a week at his home in Spring, Texas, says he has contacted about a half-dozen teams. The Astros are one of the teams interested, but not for at least a few more weeks.

 

Fox, who has had three major elbow surgeries, was told by Dr. James Andrews that he should be able to return.

 

"Dr. Andrews told me I have another two or three years that I can pitch," Fox said.

 

The Marlins are expected to offer arbitration to left-handed reliever Matt Perisho, who is represented by Shapiro.

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

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

So, it seems we can scratch off Fox for 2005.

So, it seems we can scratch off Fox for 2005.

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I'm hazy how the arbitration rule works with minor league deals.

 

If we don't offer Fox arbitration, can we give him a non-guaranteed deal (IE, a ST invite) before the 1st of May? If we can't, this may be a stupid move.

So, it seems we can scratch off Fox for 2005.

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why's that?

My guess is that while both parties might be willing to enter into a minimum salary/performance-based contract, the Basic Agreement precludes them from doing so.

 

It's inconceivable that the Fish wouldn't risk $300,000 on Fox coming back. And from what he's said regarding the franchise, he'd like to pitch here again.

My guess is that while both parties might be willing to enter into a minimum salary/performance-based contract, the Basic Agreement precludes them from doing so.

 

It's inconceivable that the Fish wouldn't risk $300,000 on Fox coming back. And from what he's said regarding the franchise, he'd like to pitch here again.

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I agree, and I'm 90% sure it's happened before (the minor league deal if no arby was offered) but those deals can only be for so much...not more than we'd give Fox though, even with incentives.

 

Give him an invite, make him "earn" the spot (which shouldn't be too hard) and we've got a quality "insurance" arm.

My guess is that while both parties might be willing to enter into a minimum salary/performance-based contract, the Basic Agreement precludes them from doing so.

 

It's inconceivable that the Fish wouldn't risk $300,000 on Fox coming back. And from what he's said regarding the franchise, he'd like to pitch here again.

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I agree, and I'm 90% sure it's happened before (the minor league deal if no arby was offered) but those deals can only be for so much...not more than we'd give Fox though, even with incentives.

 

Give him an invite, make him "earn" the spot (which shouldn't be too hard) and we've got a quality "insurance" arm.

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Here's what think is the quandry.

 

If the Marlins offer him arbitration, it will be based on other players of equal service time and all those other factors that go into it, ignoring the fact that he's still injured and may never pitch again.

 

If they don't offer him arbitration, he's cut loose and we (and our minor league teams) can't talk to/sign him until May 1, leaving him twisting slowly in the wind until then. If he's healthy enough to go to spring training, it will be with another team that is willing to take the chance the Marlins wish they could, but can't.

The problem is the Marlins must guarantee him 80% of his 2004 wage in any offer before May 1st.

The problem is the Marlins must guarantee him 80% of his 2003 wage in any offer before May 1st.

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Not really that big of a problem considering his 2003 salary was a base of $500K.

 

http://www.bluemanc.demon.co.uk/baseball/mlbcontracts.htm

So $400,000 is the minimum possible offer.

You're looking at 2003 data.

 

His 2004 contract was $1.2M, making $960K the minimum the Marlins can offer for 2005.

You're looking at 2003 data.

 

His 2004 contract was $1.2M, making $960K the minimum the Marlins can offer for 2005.

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Sorry, your other post said the 2003 total.

 

I was unclear about how arbitration works for a season ended early by injury...

I can't believe it's nearly 2005. Seems like only yesterday we were fearing the Y2K bug, and a few years ago listening to Ace of Base, Vanilla Ice, Nirvana and the C&C Music Factory. :confused

Please bring back Chad Fox. He is good. Looks like Perisho will be back- that is fine as long as he NEVER faces a right handed hitter.

I hope we can sign these two guys

Perisho is gravy vs. Lefties....he pwned Abreu and Thome.

Perisho sucks

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Word