August 1, 200323 yr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted on Fri, Aug. 01, 2003 Worth the risk Paying Pudge $10 million for a one-and-done season doesn't seem silly now COMMENTARY / JEFF MILLER jamiller@herald.com WALTER MICHOT / HERALD STAFF Marlins catcher Iv??n Rodr??guez The move was called silly, odd and stupid. OK, maybe not stupid exactly, but ''not smart.'' Yeah, ''not smart.'' That's how this newspaper labeled the Marlins' decision in January to sign catcher Iv??n Rodr??guez. Six months later, we stand by our story. All except for that ''not'' part. With the Marlins 10 games over .500, with them close enough in the wild card to make out the Phillies' faces, with Rodr??guez locked in the middle of the lineup and everywhere else, the arrival of August is the perfect time to acknowledge that, you know, this deal is working out just fine after all. ''Everything is going the right way,'' Rodr??guez said. ``I'm enjoying every moment here. We're having so much fun.'' Six consecutive wins, two sweeps in a row and more occupied seats than empty ones will spike the fun meter for sure. Same with being close to a .400 hitter the past 40 games to help turn a season from swirling to sterling. After an 0-for-5, four-strikeout non-performance May 30, Rodr??guez was batting .239, nearly 70 points below his career average. He then hit .367 in June and climbed even higher to .376 in July. That has him at .312 now, and all the statistics can become somewhat numbing, so we'll stop right here. (Though it also must be noted Rodr??guez leads the National League in hitting with runners in scoring position, not exactly a throwaway fact.) Beyond all that, just understand that no catcher in the majors has been more productive than the Marlins' catcher this season. The offense, of course, was expected, just like the defense, where Rodr??guez has been as solid as each of the 10 Gold Glove trophies he owns. The issues with this guy never have been the facts found on the back of a trading card. But what about the things that can't be quantified and stacked in neat columns? What about those aspects of the game where Rodr??guez wasn't even considered the equal of someone like former Marlin Steve Decker, to note an anonymous example? You remember the scouting report from Texas, right? Can't call a game. Doesn't go to meetings. More concerned about himself than his team. ''I want all my team to be selfish like this guy,'' third base coach Ozzie Guill??n said. ``You don't win the MVP without being a little selfish. This is an individual game played by a team. You have to have some of that in you to succeed. But Pudge is concerned about this team, too. Watch us, and you can see that.'' Rodr??guez helped keep Ugueth Urbina in the game Monday in a tight eighth-inning situation after the reliever disagreed with a call by home plate umpire Mike DiMuro and so did with the animation of a comic book character. Had Rodr??guez not acted as Urbina's counsel -- ''I just talked professionally to the umpire,'' he explained -- that Marlins 3-2 victory could have exploded before the ninth inning even arrived. He also has helped Braden Looper develop the kind of confidence where he rebounded from a blown save against Atlanta to protect consecutive one-run leads against Arizona, not bad for a guy who thought he might be losing his job just three weeks ago when the Marlins acquired Urbina. Looper is an 85 to 90 percent fastball pitcher who never fully has confided in his slider or splitter. But seeing Rodr??guez call for those pitches in sweaty-palm situations has bolstered his once shaky beliefs. ''I heard the rumors about Pudge just like everyone else,'' Looper said. ``But I've worked as well with him as any catcher I've had. I wouldn't want to trade him for anyone.'' So everything's as sweet and fluffy as cotton candy. Bring on those Astros and let the fantasy continue. Sorry, but baseball is a business, which is why everyone works on a contract, and for Rodr??guez, his expires after this season. Then what? South Florida is indisputably home for Rodr??guez, his giant five-bedroom masterpiece docked behind his nine-bedroom, 11-bathroom palace in Miami Beach. Is he actually going to want to leave his wife, three children, nanny, maid, house-sitter, chef, pool, media room, billiards room, spa, gym and guest quarters for a condo in, say, St. Louis? ''For now, I'm here two more months,'' Rodr??guez said, not sounding terribly committed to anything Marlin. ``I'd love to stay. If they keep this team together, we could do some good things. But I'll try free agency and see what happens.'' And that's it -- cold, plain and simple. Apparently, the fuzzy concept of the home team discount won't be much of a factor in this case. There also is other chilling nugget to consider. Rodr??guez has changed agents since coming to South Florida and now employs Scott Boras, who rarely gets less than every available penny for his clients. The Marlins' history with spending suggests now is the time to enjoy Rodr??guez, while we can. So cherish those ''Pudge'' bobbleheads the team will distribute Saturday. Waiting until next year could be disappointing. It also could be, to quote past reports, ``not smart. :thumbup
August 1, 200323 yr yup i read this article in the Miami Hearld today and i liked it only thing i didnt like was I'd love to stay. If they keep this team together, we could do some good things. But I'll try free agency and see what happens.'' not good to hear :thumbdown
August 1, 200323 yr he says he loves it down here.. he lives down here.. y not sign him for like 4 years / $ 23 mill
August 1, 200323 yr he says he loves it down here.. he lives down here.. y not sign him for like 4 years / $ 23 mill because he wants a BIG PAYDAY!!!!
August 1, 200323 yr he would take that if he really wanted too a paycut? come on.... i like Pudge, but i dont see him taking a paycut to stay here
August 1, 200323 yr a paycut? come on.... i like Pudge, but i dont see him taking a paycut to stay here y not ? he has a 9 room bedroom 11 1/2 bathroom , 3 kids his wife , 226 foot boat... he grew up here lives here... y wouldnt he ?
August 1, 200323 yr do you understand? HE WANTS A BIG PAYDAY( i thought showing you the $ would help, but it didnt) in fact, if Baltimore had offered him a multiyear deal this year, he woulnt have signed with us
August 1, 200323 yr he would take that if he really wanted too No he wouldn't, he'll resign but he'll still want 8-10 mil a year from us for 3 or 4 seasons
August 1, 200323 yr No he wouldn't, he'll resign but he'll still want 8-10 mil a year from us for 3 or 4 seasons i dont think so.. he'll take a lil less $$$ to play with us
August 1, 200323 yr Author He's already as rich as hugh hefner probably so why can't he take a little less like sportscenter he has advantages here in miami. 1.beaches. 2.hispanic culture. 3.playing for the marlins!
August 1, 200323 yr are you guys that blind? Pudge wants money, money, money..... he may sign for a tiny bit less here, but ONLY if we give him a 3-4 year deal
August 1, 200323 yr are you guys that blind? Pudge wants money, money, money..... he may sign for a tiny bit less here, but ONLY if we give him a 3-4 year deal Couldn't have said it better myself
August 1, 200323 yr I doubt having a house here would be reason enough for him to take a pay cut and stay here. I mean, he played a long time with texas and the house never stopped him from playing there. So If another team gives him a multi-year deal worth alot of money, he'll leave. The house won't stop him and boat won't make him take a paycut. I do think he'll take a paycut (small paycut) if we make it to the playoffs and keep the team together.
August 1, 200323 yr Here is my list of what I believe to be Pudge's priorities for a contract. 1) Longevity 2) Contention 3) Money 4) Convenience The man is going into the hall, we all know he wants that ring.
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