December 30, 200421 yr Nats, Perez in Holding Pattern Nats, Perez in Holding Pattern By Barry Svrluga Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, December 30, 2004; Page D05 The Washington Nationals remain at a standstill in their pursuit of free agent pitcher Odalis Perez, the team's primary target remaining on the market. And if Perez indeed signs with another team, the Nationals almost certainly won't pursue one of the remaining free agent pitchers on the market, meaning they could begin their first season in Washington with the same rotation that struggled with injuries and inconsistency during the franchise's final campaign in Montreal. Perez claimed in an interview with a newspaper in his native Dominican Republic that he would meet with New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya this week, a claim the Mets disputed. But a baseball source said yesterday that both the Mets and Florida Marlins are involved in the pursuit of Perez, who went 7-6 with a 3.25 earned run average last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, and that the Marlins might quietly have the inside track. Reached at the Nationals' spring training facility in Viera, Fla., Washington interim general manager Jim Bowden, who earlier described the club's pursuit of Perez as "on life support," said he had nothing new to report in the talks, though he remains in daily contact with Perez's representatives. Seattle and the Nationals are each believed to have offered three-year deals worth about $18 million. A month ago, Bowden dispatched former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Rijo to help woo Perez to Washington. Rijo, who is likely to be named to the Nationals coaching staff next week, is also a native of the Dominican Republic. Rijo said yesterday that he talks to Perez every day, but added that the Mets are using another Dominican -- new ace Pedro Martinez -- to work on getting Perez to New York. Martinez is represented by Fernando Cuza, a member of Perez's negotiating team. Cuza did not return phone calls yesterday. "I think the Mets put a lot of pressure on him," Rijo said by telephone. "They're having Pedro Martinez [talk] to him. I'm talking to him myself. I told him I don't want him to be a third or fourth pitcher in one city when he can be No. 1 in another city." Rijo said Perez told him at one point he would be willing to accept $6.5 million per season, but that may have changed with the involvement of other teams. "I told him he doesn't want to play in New York," Rijo said. "Even for a superstar like Pedro, that's a lot of pressure. The press is horrible on people there. I don't think he wants to go to that pressure. I think he should come and pitch every five days and have fun in a city where baseball is new." Perez, a 27-year-old left-hander, is the only one of the remaining free agent starters who fits what Bowden says he wants for the team -- someone affordable in his prime. Therefore, the Nationals almost certainly won't pursue Esteban Loaiza, Aaron Sele, Ismael Valdez or other available pitchers. The Nationals' rotation currently consists of Livan Hernandez, Tony Armas Jr., Tomo Ohka, Zach Day and John Patterson, with 6-foot-11 Jon Rauch also a possibility. Nationals Notes: Rijo repeated that he has accepted a job to be the team's bullpen coach. Matt Galante, a former coach with the Mets, will likely get the last spot on Manager Frank Robinson's staff. The announcements are expected to be made next week.
December 30, 200421 yr Three years at 24 million should seal the deal. That's what they had offered Mr.Unproven so they shouldn't hesitate on Odaliz Perez. Git yer deal dun 'reddy!
December 30, 200421 yr at 8 million a year, no thanks just because everyone else overpays nowadays doesn't mean we have to
December 30, 200421 yr at 8 million a year, no thanks just because everyone else overpays nowadays doesn't mean we have to 644923[/snapback] actually, yeah it does mean we have to overpay, or we'll never sign the good players as we'll always get outbid.
December 30, 200421 yr Just a little note: For those worried about Perez pitching out side of Dodger Stadium, hes 4-3 3.21 ERA in 106.2 IP away, and 3-3 3.31 ERA 89.2 IP at Dodger... so his numbers werent bolstered by Dodger Stadium, the guy can pitch.
December 30, 200421 yr at 8 million a year, no thanks just because everyone else overpays nowadays doesn't mean we have to 644923[/snapback] actually, yeah it does mean we have to overpay, or we'll never sign the good players as we'll always get outbid. 644925[/snapback] if we want him, we'd have to overpay don't kill urself by signing mediocre pitchers to highly lucrative contracts just because everyone is doin it, we don't have to kill ourselves on the absurd contracts being handed out this year. Just don't get involved. Look for the lower priced bragain players (which are few and far between this year) or trades.
December 30, 200421 yr Absurd is what Milton got. 3 years 21-23 million would not be overpaying that much in this market.
December 30, 200421 yr I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez?
December 30, 200421 yr Nationals GM Jim Bowden remains in daily contact with Odalis Perez's representatives. It's believed he has a three-year, $18 million proposal on the table. Seattle reportedly has made a similar offer. It's also believed that the Marlins have entered the bidding for the left-hander. It might take more than $7 million per year to sign him.-Rotoworld
December 30, 200421 yr I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez? 644955[/snapback] Which of course begs the question - how healthy is Odalis Perez? After he all the did spend a significant amount of time either on the DL or being pampered last season. Putting aside the wisdom of having three lefty pitchers in PPS, one has to wonder whether it's wise to sign the guy to a multi-year contract?
December 30, 200421 yr I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez? 644955[/snapback] Which of course begs the question - how healthy is Odalis Perez? After he all the did spend a significant amount of time either on the DL or being pampered last season. Putting aside the wisdom of having three lefty pitchers in PPS, one has to wonder whether it's wise to sign the guy to a multi-year contract? 644971[/snapback] One bad move could wreck are future. I'll say no thanks on Perez and would try to sign AJ instead. :thumbup
December 30, 200421 yr Author I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez? 644955[/snapback] Which of course begs the question - how healthy is Odalis Perez? After he all the did spend a significant amount of time either on the DL or being pampered last season. Putting aside the wisdom of having three lefty pitchers in PPS, one has to wonder whether it's wise to sign the guy to a multi-year contract? 644971[/snapback] One bad move could wreck are future. I'll say no thanks on Perez and would try to sign AJ instead. :thumbup 644975[/snapback] We still need a 5th starter. Perez is the only decent guy left since we couldn't retain Pavano, lost to Atlanta on trading for Tim Hudson, lost to the Cardinals in getting Mulder... sighs... you get the point. He is the only pitcher with an ERA below 4, unless we take a risk with Loaiza or Millwood. :shifty
December 30, 200421 yr I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez? 644955[/snapback] Wow, that is a good question. Minus the big three in '97; Brown, Leiter, Fernandez I can't think of any big free agent pitcher signing with the Marlins. It is a shame because this is a pitchers park. I can only think of all the great catchers we have had Santiago Johnson Daulton Piazza Rodriguez Lo Duca
December 30, 200421 yr I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez? 644955[/snapback] Wow, that is a good question. Minus the big three in '97; Brown, Leiter, Fernandez I can't think of any big free agent pitcher signing with the Marlins. It is a shame because this is a pitchers park. I can only think of all the great catchers we have had Santiago Johnson Daulton Piazza Rodriguez Lo Duca 645012[/snapback] Daulton didnt catch for the Marlins, he played 1B.
December 30, 200421 yr I have asked myself, who was the last BIG pitcher that the Marlins signed from another team in Free agency.... was it Alex Fernandez? 644955[/snapback] Wow, that is a good question. Minus the big three in '97; Brown, Leiter, Fernandez I can't think of any big free agent pitcher signing with the Marlins. It is a shame because this is a pitchers park. I can only think of all the great catchers we have had Santiago Johnson Daulton Piazza Rodriguez Lo Duca 645012[/snapback] Daulton didnt catch for the Marlins, he played 1B. 645014[/snapback] I said great catchers. He was a catcher, before he played 1B for us.
December 30, 200421 yr at 8 million a year, no thanks just because everyone else overpays nowadays doesn't mean we have to 644923[/snapback] actually, yeah it does mean we have to overpay, or we'll never sign the good players as we'll always get outbid. 644925[/snapback] if we want him, we'd have to overpay don't kill urself by signing mediocre pitchers to highly lucrative contracts just because everyone is doin it, we don't have to kill ourselves on the absurd contracts being handed out this year. Just don't get involved. Look for the lower priced bragain players (which are few and far between this year) or trades. 644929[/snapback] Sports is the one place where "if everyone is doing it" applies heavily. Supply and demand for these players (mediocre pitchers) hasrocketed the price, not to mention the price-inflation by the Benson deal. If we want to get a decent guy to fill out the rotation $7 mil a season is just about where we're going to have to start...sadly enough.
December 31, 200421 yr Timing has been the big reason that the Marlins have signed few big name free agent pitchers. In the early years, 93-95, they had no need to sign big names really. And if they wanted to, they would have had a hard time convincing pitchers to come to an expansion team. Before the 95 season, I believe that they went after Ken Hill pretty hard and may have had him signed. However, because of the strike, I dont think that he was ruled eligible for free agency. After 1995, they did sign Al Leiter and Kevin Brown. After 96, they lured Alex Fernandez. Then, after the 97 WS and the firesale, the focus was on building by young pitchers. That is where we have been ever since. Anyway, I think Perez would be a great addition. Pay him what it takes as long as it is in reason.
December 31, 200421 yr A month ago, Bowden dispatched former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Rijo to help woo Perez to Washington. Rijo, who is likely to be named to the Nationals coaching staff next week, is also a native of the Dominican Republic. Rijo said yesterday that he talks to Perez every day, but added that the Mets are using another Dominican -- new ace Pedro Martinez -- to work on getting Perez to New York. Team with the most Dominicans gets Perez? Quick, send Castillo to talk to him!
December 31, 200421 yr Sign him up. Gives the team much more flexibility this year (trade A.J.?) and next (when A.J. an/or Leiter leave).
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.