December 6, 200421 yr from the Sun-Sentinel: "Paddleball injury shelves Conine" Paddleball injury shelves Conine By Juan C. Rodriguez STAFF WRITER Posted December 6 2004 Marlins first baseman Jeff Conine entered the offseason prepared to undergo right shoulder surgery. He didn't anticipate requiring a second procedure. Last week, Conine went under the knife again to repair a separated throwing shoulder. He sustained the injury after crashing into a wall while playing paddleball over Thanksgiving weekend in California. His arm will remain in a sling for about three weeks before he begins a rehab program. "I was playing left-handed, too," Conine said. "It's not like I was out there pushing the envelope with my other shoulder. It was a freak thing that happened. I've been on the court 30 years and nothing like this has happened." A world-class racquetball player, Conine no longer plays competitively. He still incorporates racquet sports in his offseason training, which contractually is forbidden along with just about every other activity that might sideline a player. Conine, 38, would not speculate as to whether the mishap could affect his deal, which guarantees him $3 million in 2005 and expires thereafter. Last season, the Yankees saved themselves $4.83 million of the $5.75 million Aaron Boone was due when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament playing basketball in the offseason. During spring training, the Yankees gave Boone $917,000 in termination pay and voided his contract. The difference is Boone missed the season. Conine expects to be ready for Opening Day and anticipates resuming baseball activity by the start of spring training. Because he won't miss any time, Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, doesn't anticipate a Boone-like scenario unfolding between his client and the Marlins. "I'm not going to make any statements for [the Marlins]," Conine said. "As you might envision, the employer is not too happy that one of their players got hurt, but we know the situation will be good to go by spring training. There's basically language in every contract that every other activity known to man you're not supposed to be able to do. [Racquet sports] have been a part of my training regimen every year of my career. ... It never dawned on me it would be an issue." In October, Conine had surgery to smooth the joint surface and remove scar tissue in his AC joint. His right shoulder was troublesome for most of the season and required three cortisone injections, the last of which was in early September. A .254 hitter on July 10 thanks in part to the ailing shoulder, Conine finished the season batting .307 (79 for 257). He also played Gold Glove-caliber defense at first after moving in from left field. Mike Berardino and material from wire services contributed to this report. Juan C. Rodriguez can be reached at jcrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com. Copyright ? 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
December 6, 200421 yr No biggie here. He will be fine and ready to go by spring training 628060[/snapback] But this is also a big opportunity to save some money. I don't see it happening because it's Mr.Marlin but if it's any other player......
December 6, 200421 yr Someone teach Encarnacion how to play paddleball 628100[/snapback] HA ha ha word that. Instead of playing he probably stays at home with no emotion watching reruns of Seinfeld with this face :plain . Alex Gonzalez gets a lot of crap with him being called Sea Bass and all but I believe Juan Encarnacion is more deserving of that title.
December 6, 200421 yr It can't really be vioded unless it says "no paddleball" in the contract. They need to make a part of a contract that voids it if the player sucks, that would have spared us from enc another year.
December 6, 200421 yr VOID IT!!! then resign him for alot less 628130[/snapback] No way. Conine is a class act and he deserves his contract. He will be fine by opening day.
December 6, 200421 yr It can't really be vioded unless it says "no paddleball" in the contract. They need to make a part of a contract that voids it if the player sucks, that would have spared us from enc another year. 628162[/snapback] Yes they can, it bans all activities where you could risk an injury that would affet your play. That means no paddleball, basketball, football, motorcycling, or ironing if you are really bad at it. At this point, just let the contract play out. No harm (during season), no foul.
December 6, 200421 yr This Conine injury report disturbs me. If it required surgery, how casual can it be? Last season's shoulder problem affected his swing. And this one won't??? Conine is an extraordinary athlete who maintains himself. But, I wonder if the many years as a champion racketball player have taken a toll. That is a physically-abusive sport, particularly at the tournament level. A Conine fan from his beginning with the Marlins, I wonder about his physical capacity for the 2005 Season. He certainly deserves a chance. But, right now, I'd start working Willingham at First Base.
December 6, 200421 yr If you're gonna injure yourself, might as well do it in the off season. I see no reason to void Conine's contract. This is the key part of the whole article and the reason I don't care he injured himself: Conine expects to be ready for Opening Day and anticipates resuming baseball activity by the start of spring training. Because he won't miss any time, Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, doesn't anticipate a Boone-like scenario unfolding between his client and the Marlins.
December 6, 200421 yr If you're gonna injure yourself, might as well do it in the off season. I see no reason to void Conine's contract. This is the key part of the whole article and the reason I don't care he injured himself: Conine expects to be ready for Opening Day and anticipates resuming baseball activity by the start of spring training. Because he won't miss any time, Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, doesn't anticipate a Boone-like scenario unfolding between his client and the Marlins. 628186[/snapback] What do you want him to say? "Oh I don't know if I will be able to play come spring." Or "I am hurting now, I hope to be better in a couple of months." Once you hit a certain age your body doesn't repair itself like it used to. I think the Marlins should have a couple team doctors to test him out. Oh and Niner, don't let any trainer rub some magic gel on your injury or something. :plain
December 6, 200421 yr If you're gonna injure yourself, might as well do it in the off season. I see no reason to void Conine's contract. This is the key part of the whole article and the reason I don't care he injured himself: Conine expects to be ready for Opening Day and anticipates resuming baseball activity by the start of spring training. Because he won't miss any time, Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, doesn't anticipate a Boone-like scenario unfolding between his client and the Marlins. 628186[/snapback] What do you want him to say? "Oh I don't know if I will be able to play come spring." Or "I am hurting now, I hope to be better in a couple of months." Once you hit a certain age your body doesn't repair itself like it used to. I think the Marlins should have a couple team doctors to test him out. Oh and Niner, don't let any trainer rub some magic gel on your injury or something. :plain 628189[/snapback] When Boone injured himself everyone knew he was out for a season. Conine's injury has a standard amount of time needed to heal and he'll be back. He's not blowing smoke out of his rear; he's obviously been consulted by physicians.
December 6, 200421 yr A Conine fan from the beginning... I'd like someone smarter than me to tell me what experience, if any, Willingham and Dillon have had at first base? Is either (or both) playing Winter Ball? Are they getting any experience and instructions at 1B? Easley can cover competently part-time. But a bigger stick would be nice. Fast-track training seems in order.
December 6, 200421 yr The offseason has done something to the people on this board. Something as simple as a 3 week rehab and we're now suggesting to void Mr. Marlin's contract? Even if it takes 3 times as long for it to heal, that still leaves plenty of time until the beginning of Spring Training. The Marlins would not take advantage of a situation like this to void a player's contract...
December 6, 200421 yr A Conine fan from the beginning... I'd like someone smarter than me to tell me what experience, if any, Willingham and Dillon have had at first base? Is either (or both) playing Winter Ball? Are they getting any experience and instructions at 1B? Easley can cover competently part-time. But a bigger stick would be nice. Fast-track training seems in order. 628205[/snapback] According to this article, it looks like Dillon has played first in the past, but they list him primarily as a third baseman and outfielder. It sounds like Conine will recover, but it's nice to know we have back-up options.
December 6, 200421 yr The roster for the Isotopes still shows Admin Sutton as a member of the team. He hit .370 last season and is a first baseman. Someone commented in a thread a while ago that he has signed elsewhere for 2005 but I can't say he is or isn't part of the Marlins organization. I can tell you that nothing showed up through three search engines that would indicate he has signed elsewhere. Sutton has parts of seven years major league experience mostly in the KC organization and most of it first.
December 6, 200421 yr A Conine fan from the beginning... I'd like someone smarter than me to tell me what experience, if any, Willingham and Dillon have had at first base? Is either (or both) playing Winter Ball? Are they getting any experience and instructions at 1B? 628205[/snapback] when Jason Stokes got hurt last year, Willingham filled in 17 times at 1B.... I dont think Willingham will be/is playing winter ball, Dillon will not sure how WIlly was at first but he made 5 errors all year at all positions(including catcher)
December 6, 200421 yr Dillon is playing in Mexico (see article on the Marlins website) but he's not (according to the author) playing first. He has played 1st in the past.
December 6, 200421 yr I dont think that Conine's injury will be a problem - come ST - but it may come on later on during the season. I am as much a Conine fan as anyone, but with older players it is much more serious. This is an interesting situation for the 'Boone scenario' outlined. If the Marlins could somehow save money on Conine - without injuring any goodwill between the club and Conine - I wouldnt be surprised if it happened. I dont think this will be the Anthony Carter version for the Marlins, but if it could save some dough, we may be able to sign another bullpen arm. It would suck if it could have saved enough money to re-sign Seanez. All of this said, I agree that we should start thinking about solid backup 1B options. I like Ramp/Goldmember's idea of using Willingham like Inge. He has a bat, but has no position in the NL. And by the time he learns his craft, he wont be a young prospect anymore. Start drilling him at 1B right now... By the way, what is the deal with Cordero? He could play some 1B just in case. So could Easely, although I dont like that idea too much...
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.