from the Sun-Sentinel:

"Pavano only one to get arbitration"

 

Pavano only one to get arbitration

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

STAFF WRITER

Posted December 8 2004

 

The Marlins entered Tuesday with seven free agents. By day's end, only one had a chance to return in 2005.

 

As expected, right-hander Carl Pavano was the lone player to whom the Marlins offered arbitration before the midnight deadline. Had they not done so, the Marlins would have forfeited negotiating rights with him until May and draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.

 

The players who won't be back: pitchers Chad Fox, David Weathers, Josias Manzanillo and Ismael Valdez, first baseman Wil Cordero, and utility infielder Mike Mordecai.

 

The Marlins made a token offer to Weathers, who is entertaining at least one multiyear proposal worth $3 million. They expressed marginal interest in retaining Valdez and Mordecai, who had played for General Manager Admin Beinfest and owner Jeffrey Loria since 2000 in Montreal.

 

"We didn't even discuss a whole lot as far as bringing me into camp," said Mordecai, who has received inquires from other teams. "They have some players that deserve a shot to play, and they're going to give them a chance. Admin was very up front with me."

 

The Marlins did speak to Mordecai, who next week turns 37, about staying in the organization, likely in a player development capacity. He is not ready to make the transition.

 

Asked whether the Marlins offered him the vacant Class A Jupiter managerial post, Mordecai said: "There were a lot of other questions and things we talked about. There may be a unique situation for me to stay with the Marlins."

 

It would take unique circumstances for Pavano to accept the Marlins' arbitration offer before the Dec. 19 deadline. He would probably cost at least $8 million next season, but chances are Pavano will find an acceptable multiyear offer elsewhere.

 

Al Leiter remains atop the Marlins' rotation wish list, and their chances of signing him improved when the Mets declined to offer him arbitration. There's one remaining hurdle.

 

Before coming to terms with the Marlins, Leiter hopes to entertain a Yankees pitch. The Yankees are ready to bull rush him now that he won't cost them a draft pick.

 

Reached via e-mail, Leiter's agent, Randy Hendricks, said a deal between his client and the Marlins was not imminent. The Marlins are believed to have offered a base salary in the $5.75 million range with a chance to earn at least $2 million more in bonuses. A source with knowledge of the proposal debunked a New York Post report that the Marlins would grant Leiter use of a private jet to visit his family in New York.

 

 

PAYROLL TO INCREASE

A National League source that has spoken with the Marlins said Loria has approved a $60 million payroll for 2005. The Marlins currently have seven players under guaranteed contracts for next season at $37.5 million, a figure that includes money owed to Mike Hampton and Pudge Rodriguez. ... The Marlins remain on David Dellucci's backburner. Dellucci's agent, Greg Clifton, credited the Marlins for increasing their offer to a guaranteed two years, but his client is looking for more playing time. The Diamondbacks told Dellucci he could expect around 450 at-bats. The Marlins also made Ricky Ledee an offer, which the Dodgers torpedoed with their successful two-year, $2.5 million bid. ... As of late Tuesday, it was unclear whether Antonio Alfonseca's chances of joining the club were better or worse. The Braves did not inform Alfonseca whether they were offering arbitration until close to midnight.

 

Juan C. Rodriguez can be reached at jcrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com.

Good news.

 

And thanks for the bolding of the important stuff. Some of us are uber-lazy

Tim Cossins is expected to manage the Class A Jupiter Hammerheads. Sorry Mordy :confused

Did they just forget about Ish?

The Sun Sentinel seems to have a lot of wrong or incomplete information all the time.

Tim Cossins is expected to manage the Class A Jupiter Hammerheads. Sorry Mordy :confused

 

Oh, well.

Good news.

 

And thanks for the bolding of the important stuff. Some of us are uber-lazy

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My sentiments exactly.

Whew.

 

It would have been nuts for the team not to offer arbitration to Pavano.

 

At least we are still in the running.....

 

And the drafts picks will be nice if he goes elsewhere.

Too bad we couldn't come to terms with Weathers and Valdez ahead of the deadline. Too many things up in the air with the possibility of signing Pavano, Leiter and Alfonseca.

 

But I fully understand not offering them arbitration. Pitchers like Weathers and Valdez will be plentiful so no reason to pay an inflated arbitration salary.

 

It would have been nice to find a way to work out a deal with Fox....but it would come with considerable risk that he won't be able to survive the season.....so better to look elsewhere.

 

Dellucci is looking like more of a long shot now that the Rangers have offered him arbitration.

 

Hate to see Mordy go....but I understand the logic of giving some of our more seasoned prospects a chance to make the team. Best of luck to him, and thanks for all the good times.

Valdes was offered arbitration my man, this article is incorrect.