Marlins' payroll on rise, may top $60M

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted December 19 2004

 

Barring the subtraction of some key pieces, the Marlins' 2005 payroll will easily surpass the $60 million mark, representing a significant increase from last season's $53 million Opening Day roster.

 

Based on salaries of their signed players and projections for those eligible for arbitration and under the team's control (less than three years of service time), the Marlins are at about $62.435 million. That figure will increase if they upgrade the fifth starter spot, bench or bullpen.

 

 

As it stands, 16.8 percent ($10.5 million) of the 2005 payroll is earmarked for Braves pitcher Mike Hampton and former Marlin Pudge Rodriguez, who deferred all but $3 million of his $10 million, 2003 salary.

 

So far the Marlins have $34.195 million committed to 14 players. That includes minor league deals for Lenny Harris, Mike Difelice, Chad Bentz and Wilson Delgado. Difelice ($500,000) will likely open the season as the backup catcher and Harris ($425,000) should make the club as its primary pinch hitter.

 

In need of a new utility infielder to replace Mike Mordecai, the Marlins would like open the season with Delgado (about $350,000) or rookie Derek Wathan ($300,000) in that role. If lefty reliever Bentz ($320,000) doesn't make the club out of spring training, chances are Rule 5 acquisition Luke Hagerty ($300,000) will. Adding a veteran left-hander such as Steve Kline or Gabe White would push the payroll threshold even higher.

 

The Marlins could also see their commitment to Antonio Alfonseca soar to $2 million. He reworked his original two-year deal after the Marlins discovered a herniated disc in his back. Though Alfonseca is guaranteed just $300,000 next season, his incentive clauses start kicking in at 10 games and max out at $1.7 million after 65 appearances. Reaching that plateau would also trigger a $2.7 million option for 2006.

 

Al Leiter, who the Marlins signed to a one-year, $8 million deal, will cost them $2 million during the season and an additional $2 million at season's end. Leiter agreed to defer his entire $3 million signing bonus, payable in 2007 and 2008.

 

The rest of the starting rotation will take in a collective $7.45 million, assuming the Marlins sign a fifth starter in the $750,000 range. If free agent Ismael Valdez accepts the team's arbitration offer by tonight's midnight deadline, he is guaranteed no less than $640,000 in 2005. Based on his experience, Valdez's salary could approach $2 million if he goes to arbitration.

 

Including starters A.J. Burnett ($3.8 million) and Josh Beckett ($2.5 million), six Marlins are eligible for arbitration. The Marlins could achieve some payroll relief if catcher Paul Lo Duca agrees to a back-loaded contract. Lo Duca, who is negotiating a multiyear extension, likely would cost a minimum of $6.5 million if he goes through the arbitration process.

 

Relievers Guillermo Mota, Matt Perisho and Tim Spooneybarger are first-time arbitration-eligible players. Combined, they will cost the Marlins an estimated $3.22 million.

 

Outfielders Chris Aguila and Miguel Cabrera, and pitchers Nate Bump, Ben Howard and Dontrelle Willis don't have enough service time to qualify for arbitration. They will receive modest raises next season. None is projected to earn more than $400,000.

 

The Marlins may look for a more experienced left-handed hitting fourth outfielder than Aguila. They made a strong push for David Dellucci, who Friday came to terms on a two-year, $1.8 million deal to remain with the Rangers.

 

Is there a reason for anyone to think we'll go out and get a Magglio or Carlos and push the payroll close to 70 mill?

If we could get rid of Encarnacion we would, but that won't happen so no.

 

If we do spend any money it will be on Odalis or Millwood(or another similar pitcher)

If we could trade AJ for Dunn that gets up what we need, a lefty power hitter, frees up about 3 million so we can at least offer Odalis and Millwood something an stay under 70 million.

 

Of course it would be great if we could get the Reds to take Juan and his money back by giving them Stokes as well. Then Odalis or Millwood and Dunn would not add a lot, if anything, to the current payroll, maybe even drop it a little.

If we could trade AJ for Dunn that gets up what we need, a lefty power hitter, frees up about 3 million so we can at least offer Odalis and Millwood something an stay under 70 million.

 

Of course it would be great if we could get the Reds to take Juan and his money back by giving them Stokes as well.? Then Odalis or Millwood and Dunn would not add a lot, if anything, to the current payroll, maybe even drop it a little.

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I dont think the reds will move Dunn though..and if the reds were looking to move him..i'm sure other teams would be hot talking about trading for him too.....it would be a good move...but i dont think the reds will take the deal....especially with juan attached

If we could trade AJ for Dunn that gets up what we need, a lefty power hitter, frees up about 3 million so we can at least offer Odalis and Millwood something an stay under 70 million.

 

Of course it would be great if we could get the Reds to take Juan and his money back by giving them Stokes as well. Then Odalis or Millwood and Dunn would not add a lot, if anything, to the current payroll, maybe even drop it a little.

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I dont think the reds will move Dunn though..and if the reds were looking to move him..i'm sure other teams would be hot talking about trading for him too.....it would be a good move...but i dont think the reds will take the deal....especially with juan attached

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They have plenty of hitting however what they need is pitching. AJ would be their ace without a doubt and losing Dunn would hurt them but they have plenty of people to pick up the slack. Of course Juan sucks at the plate but I think Juan could strike out 3 times a game for them and they'd still put up 5 runs.

 

You trade from your strength. The Marlins' is the rotation and the Reds is their offense.

Everyone has a rising payroll (Except Baltimore). The marlins are just following the market.

Nice article by Mr. Rodriguez.

 

The Angels are cutting payroll after the best season at the gate. Wasn't there talk of Artie Moreno being such a great owner?

 

The Dodgers have not. The A's are not. Rockies? Diamondbacks? Yep, trying. Many teams are not increasing their payroll, Chewie.

This is disgraceful...the FO is gonna use this as an excuse for the reason why they won't get anyone else. I mean come on....how do they expect more fans to come and watch them when their not willing to spend more money then it takes to field a competent team on the field. Right now two division foes have improved and two teams that we'd be competiting with for the NLCS crown have improved massively and we're signing 12 fingered freaks and one armed bandits. I guess my frustration is just hitting me right now.

FishFaninPA, would it help if they increased payroll to $70M as previously leaked?

 

Yes, the talent does not match the expenditure. Encarnacion, Conine, LoDuca and others will be overpaid. The front office should be roasted for that. The General Manager for his personnel decisions. The scouting department for their talent evaluation of major leaguers, minor leaguers and amateur prospects (especially amateur domestic prospects, ugh). The Owner and President for keeping them around.

Nice article by Mr. Rodriguez.

 

The Angels are cutting payroll after the best season at the gate. Wasn't there talk of Artie Moreno being such a great owner?

 

The Dodgers have not. The A's are not. Rockies? Diamondbacks? Yep, trying. Many teams are not increasing their payroll, Chewie.

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Most teams are increasing, but the o's freed up $17 million and haven't done anything with it but bribe members of the DC city council. :plain

First of all i posted last week that there was no money left.

 

Second, I am not sure where this panic has come from. I like our pitching staff against that of all the ones in our division. Burnett (healthy) and Beckett in contract years are going to have breakout years! Leiter is the veteran we have been seeking for two years. Willis should continue to develop. The mets and braves have sub par hitting and the phillies pitching does not make me nervous.

 

The braves are the team to beat til someone takes them down but don't believe the hype about them yet. Will smoltz be able to hold-up as a starter? Hampton and thompson don't scare me and they will struggle to replace thomas and drew.

 

No matter burnett's attitude toward the marlins, he has a ton of $ riding on his season.

Nice article by Mr. Rodriguez.

 

The Angels are cutting payroll after the best season at the gate. Wasn't there talk of Artie Moreno being such a great owner?

 

The Dodgers have not. The A's are not. Rockies? Diamondbacks? Yep, trying. Many teams are not increasing their payroll, Chewie.

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Most teams are increasing, but the o's freed up $17 million and haven't done anything with it but bribe members of the DC city council. :plain

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Name them. The Yankees, Mets and Nats sure. Seattle? Maybe, they cleared some payroll mid-season though. The Red Sox are remaining stagnant. Oh, the Cardinals may have a marginally higher payroll. How many teams are left?

 

The amount of teams increasing payroll can be counted on two hands (my and your hands, not Alfonseca's).

This is disgraceful...the FO is gonna use this as an excuse for the reason why they won't get anyone else. I mean come on....how do they expect more fans to come and watch them when their not willing to spend more money then it takes to field a competent team on the field. Right now two division foes have improved and two teams that we'd be competiting with for the NLCS crown have improved massively and we're signing 12 fingered freaks and one armed bandits. I guess my frustration is just hitting me right now.

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Braves add Hudson and Kolb and they lose Ortiz, Wright, Byrd and Drew and they are improved? Smoltz is now 38 and has not started for a full season since the 2000 season I believe. If you wanna buy into that Smoltz move transitioning well, good luck.

This is disgraceful...the FO is gonna use this as an excuse for the reason why they won't get anyone else. I mean come on....how do they expect more fans to come and watch them when their not willing to spend more money then it takes to field a competent team on the field. Right now two division foes have improved and two teams that we'd be competiting with for the NLCS crown have improved massively and we're signing 12 fingered freaks and one armed bandits. I guess my frustration is just hitting me right now.

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Braves add Hudson and Kolb and they lose Ortiz, Wright, Byrd and Drew and they are improved? Smoltz is now 38 and has not started for a full season since the 2000 season I believe. If you wanna buy into that Smoltz move transitioning well, good luck.

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Let's analyze what you said....they add a top 10 pitcher in the league and a closer who was damn good last year and lose mediocrity. mediocrity and more mediocrity. Smoltz will struggle at first but eventually will grab hold of the 2nd spot of the rotation. Do you really think right now we're gonna finish ahead of atlanta? the Mets? Don't delude yourself.

If Ortiz, Byrd, Wright and Drew are mediocre the Marlins lost sunday-league talent in Pavano and Benitez.

 

Don't be quite a homer, FFinPA.

This is disgraceful...the FO is gonna use this as an excuse for the reason why they won't get anyone else. I mean come on....how do they expect more fans to come and watch them when their not willing to spend more money then it takes to field a competent team on the field. Right now two division foes have improved and two teams that we'd be competiting with for the NLCS crown have improved massively and we're signing 12 fingered freaks and one armed bandits. I guess my frustration is just hitting me right now.

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Comments about the 12 fingered freak and one armed bandit is not cool, man.... Not cool at all.