March 31, 200521 yr Sun-Sentinel Juan C. Rodriguez PORT ST. LUCIE -- The Marlins want Brian Moehler and Lenny Harris on their Opening Day roster. All they need is their signatures. Invited to spring training as a non-roster player, Moehler is debating whether to waive his right to refuse a minor league assignment during the season's first 45 days. The Marlins require all non-roster players with more than five years of big-league service who make the club to sign off. That policy has proved a stumbling block. In 2003, Al Martin balked and was released. Last season, Harris and Damion Easley begrudgingly agreed and survived what amounts to an additional trial period. Teams use the waiver in part for financial protection. Outrighting someone off the roster within the first 45 days takes the organization off the hook for the player's full season salary ($400,000 in Moehler's case). Moehler was not made aware of the waiver until Tuesday, when Easley and Harris brought it up. After Wednesday's game against the Mets, Moehler did not know the Marlins had already contacted his Atlanta-based agent, Lonnie Cooper, about signing. "We haven't responded yet," said Cooper, who expressed optimism Moehler would begin the season as a Marlin. "We're hoping this will be a moot point. ... We're feeling pretty good about his spring right now. We're discussing all our options. We're not sure if we're willing to sign or not." Added Moehler, before the Marlins' 3-2 win at Tradition Field: "I have to see what it's all about. I've talked to some of the guys that have signed it before. I guess it's a standard thing around here. "It was kind of a joking thing in the clubhouse, `Oh, the 45 days.' I guess it's a way to cover all your bases from a front office point of view. ... If you perform well it doesn't matter. It's like Easley [last season]. He tore it up so there was no reason for them to do anything." Should Moehler decide he's better off pitching elsewhere minus the weight of the provision, both Easley and Harris would understand. Harris, who will sign the waiver again, started last year 0 for 9 and did not log his first hit until May 8. He found it difficult to block out the idea of being dispatched to the minors. "You try to but it's going to be on your mind," Harris said. "It could affect some guys' play. It was affecting me. My wife told me, `Hey, don't worry about it. Whatever happens is going to happen. You have no control over things like that.' "Don't get me wrong. It's going to be hard to deal with. You're counting those days down. Guys mess around in the clubhouse. They say, `Hey, you got 12 days left and you're still here,' and things like that. I got a kick out of it." Easley didn't have the 45th day circled on his calendar. By May 6, he had a .323 average (10 for 31) with five extra-base hits. Easley's agent called him once the period expired. Otherwise, Easley was oblivious. Should Moehler decide to accept the policy, he would open the season as the long man and primary candidate for spot starter duty. He has not pitched in the majors since 2003, when he made three appearances for the Astros before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. This spring he's logged a 1.72 ERA with two walks and three strikeouts in 152/3 innings.
March 31, 200521 yr I agree Moehler has looked so well, i watched him pitch one game and he looks like he's back to his old self i just hope he can stay healthy.
March 31, 200521 yr yea i remember moehler was really hyped a while back.. id also like to have him around as a 6th starter
March 31, 200521 yr So let me get this stright... He can be send down on the 45th day or the 45th day is the deadline and he can't be sent down after that?
March 31, 200521 yr So let me get this stright... He can be send down on the 45th day or the 45th day is the deadline and he can't be sent down after that? 725060[/snapback] They can be sent down after 45 days, but they have the right to refuse the assignment once the 45th day has passed. And I guess I'm the only one happy Lenny made the roster.
March 31, 200521 yr Juanky...you're not the only one. :thumbup F* Bonds - we've got the all-time pinch hit king...and he is steroid free! :notworthy
March 31, 200521 yr I like Moehler as a spot starter. I agree with everything except this: "You try to but it's going to be on your mind," Harris said. "It could affect some guys' play. It was affecting me. My wife told me, `Hey, don't worry about it. Whatever happens is going to happen. You have no control over things like that.' Hey Lenny, Yes you can control that!...GET SOME HITS!
March 31, 200521 yr Lenny, does it matter? You stunk last year and kept your job. Do you expect to play even worse this year? Don't sign.
March 31, 200521 yr For whatever reason, Lenny has McKeon in his back pocket. I am already resigned to the fact that Harris will make the team and will likely go 0-9 again in key situations. :confused
March 31, 200521 yr I can't fathom any reasons why Juankey or Malman would celebrate another Harris season. It's insane.
March 31, 200521 yr Until a better replacement is found I don't see the problem with keeping MLB's all-time pinch hit king on the roster. I just don't see a better alternative on the roster. Joe Dillon will never be a major league player and Willigham is better off spending some more time in Triple A. Harris was not 0-9 in key situations last year. For some reason, I can't get that game winning hit off Gagne out of my mind. I hope "the Pimp" turns a few more tricks in 2005. :thumbup
March 31, 200521 yr Harris is done. He's been done for the last 2 years. He's looked even worse this spring. I've seen I think 6 at-bats of his this spring, and 5 of those 6 were weak groundouts to 2nd. The other was a weak grounder to 1st. The man doesn't play defense, so what's the point of having him on the team? Cool hand shakes and being a nice guy should only take you so far.
March 31, 200521 yr Harris had 1 key hit last year-thats it. Even a rookie could get 1 key hit. I like Lenny but he might be blocking other peoples chances to make the team. If Lenny isn't hitting .250 by the all star break this year then I will be disappointed.
March 31, 200521 yr Let's hope Moehler goes ahead and signs it. He shouldn't have any problem making it past the 45 days.
March 31, 200521 yr Harris had 1 key hit last year-thats it. Even a rookie could get 1 key hit. I like Lenny but he might be blocking other peoples chances to make the team. If Lenny isn't hitting .250 by the all star break this year then I will be disappointed. 725417[/snapback] Count on being dissapointed. Lenny will be doing well to stay above the Mendoza line. Anybody got the over/under on that?
April 1, 200521 yr Instead of making this another harris bashing thread lets talk about moehler. Since the beginning of the spring (and even before that) many of us have thought that this team's biggest weakness is the lack of a spot starter/long reliever. With reidling potentially starting the season on the DL, moehler can fill that role nicely, and may be one of this season's surprises. The way hes pitched this spring ( and we'll get to see him again today) I would have no problem seeing him o nthe mound if a starter goes down. This also puts pressure on valdez in my opinion, although valdez has been ok this spring.
April 1, 200521 yr If Moehler pitches well today I certainly hope the front office waives their 45 day rule and signs the guy. It's such small money they are talking about in the scheme of things and while I can understand how it puts the FO office in an awkward position regarding other players, the fact is pitchers ARE treated differently than other players. ---------- On a side note Kerry Lightenberg was cut by the Jays yesterday with the Jays eating his $2.50 million contract. He's a guy the Fish might be willing to sign for the minimum and work him at Albuquerque. Elsewhere the Tigers have decided to keep Higginson and not everyone in the clubhouse is happy with the decision. From FREEP: "Dmitri Young was very vocal in expressing his unhappiness over Trammell's choice to keep Higginson over Thames. "This really stinks," Young said. "Marcus is a totally good person on and off the field, and when you see someone screwed like that, you react. "He's just been destroying a baseball the way teams like to see. ... We talk about trying to win, but that was a mistake -- a major league mistake." Trammell said he understands that not all the players in the Tigers' clubhouse might agree with his choice of Higginson over Thames."
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