ANAHEIM -- Gradually, the Marlins are scratching items off their checklist.

By reaching agreements with relievers Antonio Alfonseca and Todd Jones, the back end of the bullpen is shaping up. Official announcements on both players' deals are expected after they complete their physicals.

 

While Alfonseca and Jones add experience, the club continues to look for more bullpen depth.

 

The focus at the Winter Meetings, which began Friday, has centered on three areas, according to general manager Admin Beinfest:

 

Finding a fifth starter (assuming Carl Pavano signs elsewhere).

Landing a left-handed hitter with some power to come off the bench or make spot starts.

Adding extra arms for the bullpen.

"We'd probably like to add some kind of left-handed bat to our team, somebody who can provide a little pop from the left side," Beinfest said. "We're working on a couple of different angles. I'm not quite sure we've figured it out, but we're working on it."

 

 

 

 

As always, a premium exists on pitching. And if Pavano does not return, which appears likely, Beinfest made it clear that finding a fifth starter is at the top of the priority list.

 

Asked if the Marlins still had a chance to bring Pavano back, the pitcher's agent, Scott Shapiro said, "I'd say at this time it's real slim. It's difficult because I know the organization has stepped up. Ultimately, I don't know if they have the financial resources to compete."

 

A common school of thought among many teams is to go with the hot hand as the fifth starter. The type of pitchers that can fit the mold can be had for less than $1 million. Before last season, the Marlins added a veteran in that price range when they signed Darren Oliver. While Oliver didn't pan out, pitchers with similar experience levels will be out there.

 

Bringing back Ismael Valdez is an option, but not the primary choice at this time.

 

On Friday, Beinfest noted that if there is a player the team covets, they will make a strong push.

 

That was evident with Wednesday's signing of free agent left-hander Al Leiter. The Marlins saw the opening to acquire a veteran and spent $8 million (with $1 million going to Leiter's charity).

 

With pitchers like Kevin Millwood on the market, if the Marlins felt he fit their plans, they would consider making a run.

 

"I think our track record has been, if there is a guy who we think is 'the guy,' we're just going to go," Beinfest said. "If it's OK, and it fits our allocation, we'll go. Some guys have a different tact. They may wait for non-tender dates and different adjustments in the market. With us, if somebody is there, we're just going to go. It has to make sense for us."

The strength of the team is the starting four of Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, Leiter and Dontrelle Willis. Bringing in another quality arm would solidify the Marlins as playoff contenders.

 

With no clear ace in the mix, the Marlins actually view the opening as the "fifth spot."

 

"The four guys we have can probably be interchangeable," Beinfest said.

 

As for the prospect of signing a veteran with a proven track record, he added, "It's our comfort zone in the marketplace. There have been some pretty significant signings on the pitching front, which has affected things. We've stepped up with Leiter, and we're happy about that."

 

Dipping into the minor leagues for a prospect is a possibility. Trevor Hutchinson, a standout at Double-A Carolina, will be given a shot in Spring Training to make the team as a starter or reliever.

 

"We have some good young pitching," Beinfest said. "We're not sure if it's ready. It might be. Some of it is untested in Double-A. It's a matter of our evaluation to see if it fits."

 

Obviously, with all 30 teams represented in Anaheim, the Marlins are engaging in conversations with a number of clubs.

 

The team hasn't ruled out a possible trade for a starting pitcher.

 

"Maybe there is a trade out there we haven't found," Beinfest said. "Sometimes you try to find value."

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Burnett/Becket/willis/leiter/millwood :shifty

That would be a heck of a rotation, Millwood had a mediocre year last year but when he pitches in a MAN's ballpark, not a kiddie league ballpark, he will put up some nice numbers

 

Beckett/Burnett/Willis/Leiter/Millwood should give us a chance to win the ballgame everyday...I would be very excited :notworthy :thumbup

Woodmill ay? That'd be interesting...

If he plays for us like he played for the Bravos in 2002, hell year i'd take him over Valdez or pretty much any other 5th starter any day of the week.

If he becomes our 5th starter, I'd expect him to win 15 games.

Millwood and Leiter > Pavano and Valdes. DO IT BEINFEST!

How much Is Millwood asking for?

How bout signing a big name hitter?

This article doesn't really say that the Marlins are going after him. The writer of the article just mentioned his name as an example.

This article doesn't really say that the Marlins are going after him. The writer of the article just mentioned his name as an example.

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thats what I was thinking

I don't think it will happen. I am still holding out hoping Wells and Pedro to Boston, Milton and Randy to NYY will put Pavs on our lap.

It would still be great to have a guy like Millwood on the staff, considering he is a huge upgrade over Valdez...but judging from the article, it's not likely, seems more like a possible scenario than an actual rumor.

I'd love to see us sign kevin milwood that'd be awesome...and i heard beinfest is still making a run at dave delucci

I'd take Millwod or Valdes. Just sign one of them.

I say the marlins sign orlando hernandez(5th starter) and j.d drew(rf) or juan gonzalez(rf) and ryan christansen(rp) or ricky bottalico(rp) and we're set..

All I remember is Millwood sweating like a pig at PPS and wearing down because he was out of shape...I hope we don't sign him either. There's a reason the Sillies got rid of him...I agree with Laz....

 

El Duque, Magglio and Jason Christiansen.

don't settle for Valdez as the 5th starter.

That's good news, any solid pitcher would go for atleast 5 million, I'd hope Beinfest would atleast look into trading away Enc and his contract even if that meant packaging in a B or C prospect and use the combined resources to sign a great hitter and place Valdez or someone that would come that cheap in the number 5 hole.

i hope boras isn't still his agent.

This article doesn't really say that the Marlins are going after him. The writer of the article just mentioned his name as an example.

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Bingo

 

People like jumping the gun though

All I remember is Millwood sweating like a pig at PPS and wearing down because he was out of shape...I hope we don't sign him either. There's a reason the Sillies got rid of him...I agree with Laz....

 

El Duque, Magglio and Jason Christiansen.

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I would prefer El Duque, however the reason the Phillies gave him up is he was making 10 mil as a flyball pitcher in the biggest hitters park east of Arlington. Not a winning combo, even Ed Wade can see that.

That's good news, any solid pitcher would go for atleast 5 million, I'd hope Beinfest would atleast look into trading away Enc and his contract even if that meant packaging in a B or C prospect and use the combined resources to sign a great hitter and place Valdez or someone that would come that cheap in the number 5 hole.

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There is zero chance we can trade away Encarnacion AND his contract.

 

The best we can hope for is Encarnacion, half his contract, and a B prospect, and even then, I don't see the need. Remember, Encarnacion is only on a one year deal so paying Encarnacion $4.5 mil in 2005 to play for us makes more sense than paying him $3 mil not to play for us. I mean, I don't really see that money being urgently needed elsewhere (because we're really talking about at the best $2 mil), so why trade him?

 

Now, if we can get some team to take his whole contract...that's a different story.