December 9, 200421 yr "Alfonseca returns to Marlins' bullpen" Alfonseca returns to Marlins' bullpen By Juan C. Rodriguez Staff Writer Posted December 9 2004 Al Leiter is the first of two former Marlins who will re-join their old club next season. Free-agent right-hander Antonio Alfonseca has agreed in principle to a two-year contract worth just under $5 million. The deal is contingent on Alfonseca passing a physical Friday. The Braves opted not to offer Alfonseca arbitration before Tuesday's midnight deadline, clearing the way for the Marlins to sign him without surrendering their first-round draft pick. A member of the organization from 1994 through 2001, including five seasons with the big-league club, Alfonseca had a share of the Marlins' single-season save record before Armando Benitez set a new standard last season. Alfonseca's back-end bullpen experience is what the Marlins covet, considering they will likely open 2005 with a first-time closer in Guillermo Mota. After a rocky 2003 season with the Cubs, Alfonseca went 6-4 with a 2.57 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 732/3 innings for the Braves in 2004. Entering his ninth season, Alfonseca has converted 121 of 157 save chances, including 102 of 124 for the Marlins. His best season was in 2000, when he had 45 saves despite a 4.24 ERA. T. MARTINEZ POSSIBLE Having fallen short in their bid to acquire left-handed hitting reserve outfielder Ricky Ledee, and with David Dellucci likely headed elsewhere, the Marlins are exploring other left-handed hitting options. One of those is first baseman Tino Martinez. A former Yankee and most recently a member of the Devil Rays, Martinez has received interest from the Marlins. Martinez would give manager Jack McKeon a lefty bat off the bench that wouldn't necessarily require pulling Jeff Conine. On days Martinez starts, McKeon could put Conine in left, Miguel Cabrera in right and sit Juan Encarnacion. The Yankees are believed to be considering Martinez to replace Jason Giambi. FALLBACK PLAN Don't read too much into the Marlins offering free agent Ismael Valdez arbitration. The Marlins see Valdez as a fallback option for their fifth starter spot. Were Valdez to accept arbitration, he would be guaranteed no less than 80 percent of last season's $800,000 salary ($640,000). Copyright ? 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
December 9, 200421 yr Only 800 K for Valdez would be a good deal. Tino would give us a good lefty veteran.
December 9, 200421 yr Admin and Jack know better than us (and certainly me) but having seen Valdez pitch three or so games at PPS I have no problem with him being part of the team in 2005 for anywhere in the range of numbers mentioned in this article. If Admin can do better so be it, otherwise sign the guy.
December 9, 200421 yr Admin and Jack know better than us (and certainly me) but having seen Valdez pitch three or so games at PPS I have no problem with him being part of the team in 2005 for anywhere in the range of numbers mentioned in this article. If Admin can do better so be it, otherwise sign the guy. 630684[/snapback] I agree
December 9, 200421 yr Admin and Jack know better than us (and certainly me) but having seen Valdez pitch three or so games at PPS I have no problem with him being part of the team in 2005 for anywhere in the range of numbers mentioned in this article. If Admin can do better so be it, otherwise sign the guy. 630684[/snapback] For his price though, I think it would be very very hard to find someone more capable. Of course, I know our focus should (and rightly so) remain on doing everything possible to keep Pavano (because of the message it gives to our young guys, especially AJ), but there's only so much we can (and should) offer. Other than that, none of the free agent pitching names excite me. Odalis Perez? Russ Ortiz? Derek Lowe? For the money they'd be asking for (to be our 5th starter!) we're better off keeping Ishy Fishy. Now, that said, I'm exceptionally in favor of a move for Hudson at the cost of any member of our big leage club (Leiter, Cabrera, AJ excluded), or minor league system (no Hermida). With Leiter only here for 2005 (and maybe AJ too :confused ) we might as well go for it all, 2003 style :cool . And the Hudson deal has to be done simply to keep him away from the Braves.
December 9, 200421 yr Valdes would be a great #5 and I think he'll have a great 2005 if he's wearing teal.
December 10, 200421 yr Valdez' away stats with the Marlins: 6 GS 26 IP 40 H 25 R 23 ER 11 HR 9 BB 12 K 7.96 ERA 1.88 WHIP 4.33 IP/GS If he comes back I hope McKeon and Wiley arrange the rotation so he'll start no more than a dozen games away from Pro Player.
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