Posted July 14, 200519 yr Sun-Sentinel Marlins and Leiter are on the outs By Mike Berardino Staff Writer July 13, 2005 Al Leiter's return engagement with the Marlins could be nearing an end. According to two baseball sources, the Marlins are giving strong consideration to cutting ties with the veteran left-hander. In the most likely scenario, he would be designated for assignment, which would give the team 10 days to trade or release the 158-game winner. "That could happen soon," said a National League source. Leiter is tentatively scheduled to start Monday in Arizona, but Marlins manager Jack McKeon has refused to commit to a starter for that game. Double-A lefty Jason Vargas could take Leiter's turn instead after going 7-4 with 118 strikeouts in 108 innings at three levels this season. Leaving Leiter in the bullpen isn't a palatable option because of his unfamiliarity with the role and the fact he requires extra time to warm up. He has generated no trade interest this summer. "Al is a wonderful human being," the NL source said. "It's sad. I love Al Leiter. Everything he is, what he represents. But he has been victimized by his own [intellect]. He tries to do a little too much." Leiter, 39, signed a one-year contract in December for $8 million, the most for a pitcher in franchise history. While the Marlins have explored a possible buyout, they are contractually obligated to pay the full amount unless he retires first. The deal includes heavy deferrals that drop the net present value to $7.24 million. Of that, $1 million is earmarked for his charity, Leiter's Landing. Leiter is 3-7 with a 6.64 ERA in 17 outings (16 starts). In 80 innings he has allowed 88 hits and 60 walks while striking out just 52. He has allowed nine home runs and is averaging less than five innings per start, which has put undue strain on the bullpen. In his final start of the first half, Leiter lasted just three innings Sunday in a loss to the Cubs. He recently made his first relief appearance since 1994, ending a streak of 338 consecutive starts. That was also the last year in which he had a losing record. Leiter spent two seasons with the Marlins in the mid-1990s, throwing the first no-hitter in franchise history in May 1996 and delivering a quality start in Game 7 of the '97 World Series. Lately, however, he has heard boos at Dolphins Stadium, where he has a 9.98 ERA. Veteran right-hander Ismael Valdez, out all year with a fractured right fibula, could be close to returning as well. Valdez tossed six scoreless innings of one-hit ball Wednesday in a rehab outing for Class A Jupiter. Bret Boone, Danny Graves, Mike Stanton and Paul Quantrill are among the veterans who have been designated for assignment already this season. Stanton, a lefty reliever who drew interest from the Marlins, will sign instead with the Nationals. Mike Berardino can be reached at [email protected] Copyright ? 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
July 14, 200519 yr Really is sad for Al, but it just hasn't worked out the way we had all hoped it would. And if this does happens, what happens to our rotation? Obviously with Leiter out (and Beckett out for one more game), we have Burnett, Moehler, Willis, Olsen and Vargas... Oh man this could be interesting!! :o :thumbup
July 14, 200519 yr I like Al but we got ripped off for 8 mil. We have so many other/better options at SP that we dont need him anymore. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES AL! I'll never forget Game 7 in '97. I was there!
July 14, 200519 yr as a person, I love Al...I always have even in 1997 when I knew essentially nothing beyond what was between the white base lines...you can tell the man is one of those "class acts," someone I've always respected... with that said, I'm not one of those who might hate on Al simply because he's given up more runs than any fan would like to see... I will never say that Al Leiter "sucks," if you will...but watching his games this year, its just obvious that he just doesn't have "it" right now...will he ever get it back? I wouldnt doubt it; he can rebound and still have his success in this great game...but for the 2005 Florida Marlins, Al Leiter is just not a working part of the puzzle.. for that, I agree his time is up in South Florida...I feel an end to this is the best for both parties, Leiter and the team...the team can seek greater days ahead and Al can seek his old success elsewhere... why do I even bother with this post? I don't know...I just always felt Al was one of "my" players, even after he left the 1997 World Champions...and very few players, though I have many favorites, can be put on that list...so I kinda owed myself this little bit of closure... Thanks Al... :thumbup
July 14, 200519 yr Al, thank you for what you did for this franchise in 96-97, but your time is up. Enjoy your free $8 million dollars and good riddance.
July 14, 200519 yr poor guy... I feel terrible for him... but it's time hey, make him the closer... he can pitch one good inning a game, right?... right? :confused
July 14, 200519 yr His age hit him like a brick wall this year. It's too bad because there isn't a nicer guy around and you know he was giving it his all. He'll be great at whatever he does next whether it be politics, coaching or broadcasting. I'm not bitter for a busted ONE year contract and I don't have anything bad to say about him either except he got old.
July 14, 200519 yr This team is going to need to do more than cut Leiter if they want to stand a chance this season... Sorry Al.
July 14, 200519 yr Cutting him is the right thing to do. But he has been victimized by his own [intellect]. He tries to do a little too much. That really says it all. He was trying too hard to nibble around the plate. He doesn't have the pinpoint contol and as a result continued to pitch himself into trouble. He would have been much better off going right after the hitters.
July 14, 200519 yr His age hit him like a brick wall this year. It's too bad because there isn't a nicer guy around and you know he was giving it his all. He'll be great at whatever he does next whether it be politics, coaching or broadcasting. I'm not bitter for a busted ONE year contract and I don't have anything bad to say about him either except he got old. 854773[/snapback] This year? He's been like this for a year and a half before leaving the Mets. He was absolutely horrid in 2004, the only thing that kept his ERA low was the Mets crappy defense making errors to allow the runs to score. Now he's in Florida and the defense isn't so porous and he's a year older. He's too ignorant to not throw his cutter 10 times in a row, and the batters are learning he doesn't have the control to nibble. I called this from the beginning. I told you the guy was a s***ty pitcher who was past his prime, 3.20 ERA or NOT.
July 14, 200519 yr Al should retire and join the FSN Florida crew for the rest of the season. 854722[/snapback] that was the one thing i was looking forward to when they signed him...his broadcasting career down here after he retired :thumbup
July 14, 200519 yr As Marlins fans we will never forget what Al helped us do in 96-97. I believe it was Al who took the ball in game 7 against the tribe and helped us to our first world series. Al is a classy guy who's time in the majors is up, but we will never forget the memories. Thanks AL!
July 14, 200519 yr Cutting him is the right thing to do. But he has been victimized by his own [intellect]. He tries to do a little too much. That really says it all. He was trying too hard to nibble around the plate. He doesn't have the pinpoint contol and as a result continued to pitch himself into trouble. He would have been much better off going right after the hitters. 854790[/snapback] There's a good reason why he nibbles. He'd get obliterated otherwise.
July 14, 200519 yr as a person, I love Al...I always have even in 1997 when I knew essentially nothing beyond what was between the white base lines...you can tell the man is one of those "class acts," someone I've always respected... with that said, I'm not one of those who might hate on Al simply because he's given up more runs than any fan would like to see... I will never say that Al Leiter "sucks," if you will...but watching his games this year, its just obvious that he just doesn't have "it" right now...will he ever get it back? I wouldnt doubt it; he can rebound and still have his success in this great game...but for the 2005 Florida Marlins, Al Leiter is just not a working part of the puzzle.. for that, I agree his time is up in South Florida...I feel an end to this is the best for both parties, Leiter and the team...the team can seek greater days ahead and Al can seek his old success elsewhere... why do I even bother with this post? I don't know...I just always felt Al was one of "my" players, even after he left the 1997 World Champions...and very few players, though I have many favorites, can be put on that list...so I kinda owed myself this little bit of closure... Thanks Al... :thumbup 854725[/snapback] Also, don't forget that not only did we get Preston Wilson for Al, but one of the pitchers we then flipped to the Yanks for Mike Lowell (Ed Yarnell)
July 14, 200519 yr Waves goodbye to AL. Thank you for the memories in 97 and good play back then. Thank you for making my heart lose 10 years of my life this year. Dont let the door hit you on the way out back to NY. ttfn
July 14, 200519 yr as a person, I love Al...I always have even in 1997 when I knew essentially nothing beyond what was between the white base lines...you can tell the man is one of those "class acts," someone I've always respected... with that said, I'm not one of those who might hate on Al simply because he's given up more runs than any fan would like to see... I will never say that Al Leiter "sucks," if you will...but watching his games this year, its just obvious that he just doesn't have "it" right now...will he ever get it back? I wouldnt doubt it; he can rebound and still have his success in this great game...but for the 2005 Florida Marlins, Al Leiter is just not a working part of the puzzle.. for that, I agree his time is up in South Florida...I feel an end to this is the best for both parties, Leiter and the team...the team can seek greater days ahead and Al can seek his old success elsewhere... why do I even bother with this post? I don't know...I just always felt Al was one of "my" players, even after he left the 1997 World Champions...and very few players, though I have many favorites, can be put on that list...so I kinda owed myself this little bit of closure... Thanks Al... :thumbup 854725[/snapback] Also, don't forget that not only did we get Preston Wilson for Al, but one of the pitchers we then flipped to the Yanks for Mike Lowell (Ed Yarnell) 855024[/snapback] We got AJ for Al, Preston was for Piazza.
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