Leiter, Alfonseca, surprises.....this is the unofficial start of the offseason for GMs to start dealing and wheeling.

 

Write your lists, check them twice, and hopefully were going to find out which teams are going to be naughty with the credit cards or nice.

 

Because Santa Beinfest is coming to town!

Posted on Tue, Dec. 07, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Deadline nearing for Marlins to offer Pavano arbitration

 

TIM REYNOLDS

 

Associated Press

 

 

MIAMI - As free agent Carl Pavano lunched in Seattle and continued his tour of visits with potential suitors, the Florida Marlins continued deliberating Tuesday whether to offer their best starter salary arbitration for next season - or simply acknowledge that he's priced himself out of their range.

 

The Marlins had until midnight Tuesday to extend the offer to Pavano, who was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 2004 and earned a spot on the All-Star team. An offer would hardly guarantee that Pavano returns, but not making one would end whatever chance Florida has at convincing the right-hander to come back for 2005.

 

Players not receiving arbitration offers from their former clubs by Tuesday's deadline cannot return to those teams before May 1; those with offers have until Dec. 19 to accept and through Jan. 8 to re-sign.

 

The fiscally challenged Marlins offered Pavano a $21 million, three-year deal weeks ago, but he's expected to command significantly more on the free agent market. Florida says it has lost more than $38 million over the last two seasons, and its 2005 payroll isn't expected to grow much from this year's $53 million mark.

 

If Pavano signed elsewhere after being offered arbitration, Florida would likely receive a supplemental first-round pick and possibly a second-round selection from whichever team lands him.

 

Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest was not available for comment Tuesday. Team officials planned to announce the arbitration-relation decisions Tuesday night, but Beinfest will not specifically address the situations until Wednesday, according to a club spokesman.

 

The Seattle stop was the latest on Pavano's series of meetings with interested teams like Baltimore, Detroit, the New York Yankees and world champion Boston Red Sox. Pavano visits Anaheim later this week.

 

He's coming off the finest of his seven major league seasons, setting career-bests in wins, ERA, innings (222 1-3), strikeouts (139) and shutouts (two).

 

Should he leave, Florida may move quickly to replace him. The team and former Marlins pitcher Al Leiter, who spent the last seven seasons with the New York Mets, may agree on a deal as soon as Wednesday.

 

Leiter, 39, pitched for the Marlins in 1996 and 1997, throwing the franchise's first no-hitter in 1996 and going 11-9 for the next year's World Series champions. He was 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 173 2-3 innings for the Mets in 2004.

 

Pavano was one of seven free agents awaiting Florida's decisions Tuesday. Others included pitchers Ismael Valdez, David Weathers, Chad Fox and Josias Manzanillo, plus infielders Wil Cordero and Mike Mordecai.

 

Lenny Harris, the team's most-used pinch hitter, signed a minor-league deal last week and was invited to spring training.

 

The Marlins have already lost relievers Armando Benitez and Rudy Seanez, plus backup catcher Mike Redmond to free agent deals this offseason.

 

Benitez, who saved an NL-leading 47 games in 51 chances and led all relievers with a 1.29 ERA in 2004, signed a $21.5 million, three-year deal with San Francisco. Seanez signed a $550,000, one-year deal with San Diego; Redmond got $1.8 million for two years from Minnesota.

wow I'm really excited, c'mon Beinfest, give us our beloved gifts!!! :shifty

We better offer Pavano arbitration. It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration. Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

We better offer Pavano arbitration. It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration. Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

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Agreed 100%...and if he takes, the Marlins can always play with the arby and give Pavs an offer for a year that the Arby will choose over Pavs' offer

Arbitration will likely be cheaper than his contract demands.

How are we watching the deadline hit? Its not on TV.... this is one of the few things ESPN doesn't own rights to and televise.

How are we watching the deadline hit? Its not on TV.... this is one of the few things ESPN doesn't own rights to and televise.

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newswires, mlb.com, espnews

We better offer Pavano arbitration. It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration. Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

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Ever since Greg Maddox and Kevin Milwood blew up in the faces of the Braves and Phillies, GM's have been hesitant about offering arbitration to starters who are perceived "locks" to go elsewhere.

 

Not that I agree with that logic in this case. Offer him arbitration, worst case, he accepts and plays one year for about $7 mil (because the arbiter will likely side with us).

Pedro and Lowe will now have a hard time finding additional suitors:

 

Sox offer Martinez arbitration

Club also keeps door open to Varitek, six others

By Mike Petraglia / Special to MLB.com

 

 

The Red Sox have a two-year offer on the table to Pedro Martinez worth a reported $25.5 million. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

 

 

 

BOSTON -- The Red Sox plan to hit the ground running before baseball's annual Winter Meetings convene later this week in Anaheim.

To that end, general manager Theo Epstein announced Tuesday the club will offer arbitration to eight of its free agents before the midnight deadline, including four of the higher-profile names on the market this offseason.

 

Among those being offered arbitration are Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe and Orlando Cabrera.

 

"These things take time," said Epstein of the entire free agent signing/arbitration process. "I know there's a lot of interest out there in what's going on, a lot being written and a lot being read about what's going to happen to these guys. They're just going through the natural process.

 

"Free agency doesn't come around every day. Two great players, like Pedro and 'Tek, this is the first time in their careers they've been free agents. They're both thoughtful guys, and they're both taking time with their families to survey the landscape and see what's out there, see what we have to offer and what other clubs have to offer before they make a decision," said Epstein, who heads to Anaheim on Thursday for the beginning of the meetings the next day.

 

The Red Sox currently have a two-year offer on the table to Martinez worth a reported $25.5 million, with a vested third-year option worth an estimated $13 million. The right-hander has been offered a three-year contract by the Mets worth an estimated $38 million, and a fourth-year option that could bring the value of the deal to $50 million.

 

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb...s_mlb&fext=.jsp

We better offer Pavano arbitration. It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration. Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

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So true. The only issue would be the ability to afford to sign so many first round picks....although it is unlikely we will end up with any top ten picks, so these could be somewhat more reasonable.....and would really enhance our ability to make strategic trades later on. The strength of our farm system was instrumental in building the 2003 championship team. It is a bit depleted now, so this is a golden opportunity to reload for the future.

 

The chance of Pavano accepting arbitration is close to zero, and even if he did, it wouldn't be the worst situation in the world.

Tigers declined to offer arbitration to RHP Esteban Yan and RHP Al Levine.

Yan had a career-best 3.83 ERA for the Tigers last season. Since he's likely to come fairly cheap, he'll be pursued by several teams. Dec. 7 - 4:03 pm et

 

 

Esteban Yan could be a solid 7th or 8th inning reliever......

 

Would be a nice pick up for ~$700K.

We better offer Pavano arbitration.? It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration.? Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

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Offer him arbitration, worst case, he accepts and plays one year for about $7 mil (because the arbiter will likely side with us).

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That's what I'm saying. If he accepts (which he won't) great, he gets basically the same deal we would've given Leiter and Pavano, while I like Leiter, is a definite upgrade. If he doesn't accept, great, we get the picks.

We better offer Pavano arbitration.? It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration.? Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

629253[/snapback]

 

Offer him arbitration, worst case, he accepts and plays one year for about $7 mil (because the arbiter will likely side with us).

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That's what I'm saying. If he accepts (which he won't) great, he gets basically the same deal we would've given Leiter and Pavano, while I like Leiter, is a definite upgrade. If he doesn't accept, great, we get the picks.

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Problem is, players have until the 19th to accept/reject arbitration, so we can't wait around on that other wise we could end up without Leiter and Pavano.

go for both. Pitching wins

We better offer Pavano arbitration.? It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration.? Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

629253[/snapback]

 

Offer him arbitration, worst case, he accepts and plays one year for about $7 mil (because the arbiter will likely side with us).

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That's what I'm saying. If he accepts (which he won't) great, he gets basically the same deal we would've given Leiter and Pavano, while I like Leiter, is a definite upgrade. If he doesn't accept, great, we get the picks.

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Problem is, players have until the 19th to accept/reject arbitration, so we can't wait around on that other wise we could end up without Leiter and Pavano.

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So they get both and don't have enough to help the bullpen or offense.

Or they're forced to move some contracts.

 

Fine by me.

We better offer Pavano arbitration.? It's not like he'll take it, I just don't understand the logic behind not offering salary arbitration.? Having 3 or 4 first round picks next season would give the FO so much flexibility.

629253[/snapback]

 

Offer him arbitration, worst case, he accepts and plays one year for about $7 mil (because the arbiter will likely side with us).

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That's what I'm saying. If he accepts (which he won't) great, he gets basically the same deal we would've given Leiter and Pavano, while I like Leiter, is a definite upgrade. If he doesn't accept, great, we get the picks.

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Problem is, players have until the 19th to accept/reject arbitration, so we can't wait around on that other wise we could end up without Leiter and Pavano.

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So they get both and don't have enough to help the bullpen or offense.

Or they're forced to move some contracts.

 

Fine by me.

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Well, that's the thing, I don't think it's fine by Beinfest.

 

Besides, what contracts do you propose we move that we can move?

 

Lowell? Pierre? Castillo? Gonzalez? Encarnacion if we could, but we can't.

 

Trade any of those guys and it's a waste to sign Leiter and give Pavano arbitration because why pay them what we're going to be paying them for 2005 if we're not going to be competitive?

I've had this thought in my head all day, since the contradictory Herald and Sun-Sentinel pieces appeared this morning.

 

I'm reminded of last season when Beinfest was up against the wall with Lee, didn't he offer him arbitration and then trade him to the Cubs? If I'm wrong, and I may be, the question stands. Swifty or someone else may know.

 

If the Marlins would like to move up the food chain, get a bonafide AA or AAA prospect (or a particular MLer) for Pavano rather than having to take on the burden of signing a draftee with a big price tag, knowing he already has several coming his way, can the Marlins offer Pavano arbitration, and then trade him to another team, who then takes on the responsibility for for going through the process or it hopes tries to sign Pavano to a longer term deal?

 

Anyone know?

just because they offer him arbitration does not mean the marlins can trade him, because hes still is a Free Agent unless he accpepts the marlins offer then they could trade him.

I've had this thought in my head all day, since the contradictory Herald and Sun-Sentinel pieces appeared this morning.

 

I'm reminded of last season when Beinfest was up against the wall with Lee, didn't he offer him arbitration and then trade him to the Cubs? If I'm wrong, and I may be, the question stands. Swifty or someone else may know.

 

If the Marlins would like to move up the food chain, get a bonafide AA or AAA prospect (or a particular MLer) for Pavano rather than having to take on the burden of signing a draftee with a big price tag, knowing he already has several coming his way, can the Marlins offer Pavano arbitration, and then trade him to another team, who then takes on the responsibility for for going through the process or it hopes tries to sign Pavano to a longer term deal?

 

Anyone know?

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It's a different form of arbitration, DLee wasn't yet a six year free agent, 2004 would have been his final year before unrestricted free agency.

 

Pavano is a six year free agent, and offering him arbitration is different than offering arbitration to a non-six year player. With Lee, offering him arbitration was the same as saying "we're going to keep your rights for the next season."

 

Regardless, the situation with Lee was that we traded him before we non-tendered him, which meant he would have been free to negotiate with any team.

 

So, the answer to your question is: no, we can't do with Pavano what we did with Lee, meaning that if we offer Pavano arbitration and he accepts, we can't trade him.

I think you're right Swift. I just found it, Lee was a fifth year player. Bingo.

 

Another mystery solved. :mischief2

Devil Rays declined to offer arbitration to 1B Tino Martinez, LHP John Halama, C Brook Fordyce, INF Rey Sanchez and RHP Todd Ritchie.

 

Martinez and Halama both turned down one-year offers from Tampa Bay. Martinez could be close to an agreement with the Yankees.

Rockies declined to offer arbitration to OF Jeromy Burnitz, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Steve Reed, SS Royce Clayton and 1B/OF Mark Sweeney.

 

The Rockies will get two picks for losing Vinny Castilla, who wouldn't have been offered arbitration if he remained unsigned. The decision not to offer Clayton arbitration could clear the way for him to join the Diamondbacks. Arizona is also believed to be interested in Burnitz and Estes.

Estes and Reed both intrigue me...

Diamondbacks declined to offer arbitration to OF Danny Bautista, OF Quinton McCracken, INF Carlos Baerga, 1B Greg Colbrunn, RHP Mike Fetters, RHP Matt Mantei, RHP Shane Reynolds, RHP Scott Service, RHP Steve Sparks and LHP Jeff Fassero.

 

Bautista should be a fourth outfielder, but he might be a candidate to start for a lesser team. The Rangers and Red Sox are among those believed to be interested.