Sun-Sentinal

 

Marlins can't seem to land piece to help 'pen

 

Two years ago, key cogs in a championship run for the Marlins seemed to fall out of the sky.

 

Ugueth Urbina, Chad Fox, Lenny Harris, Jeff Conine.

 

Not so, this year. Particularly in their search for bullpen help, the Marlins have been stymied at every turn. Steve Karsay. Danny Graves. Mike Stanton. Craig Hansen. Urbina again.

 

Of all their failed flirtations, the one that could have had the biggest impact might have been Rockies left-hander Brian Fuentes. When the Marlins first asked about him this year, he was a low-cost closer on a bad team.

 

But once Fuentes was named the Rockies' only All-Star, he was elevated to untouchable status.

 

"I'd heard there were some rumors that Florida was interested and for whatever reason it didn't pan out," Fuentes said. "That's a great team and would be a great team to play for. I really have no say being an under three-year guy [in service time]."

 

Because Fuentes is making $328,000 this season, the Rockies have little incentive to trade him. He will become eligible for salary arbitration this winter and could earn a raise into the $1.5 million range, but even then will rank as one of baseball's best bargains.

 

"I had a good feeling knowing I was kind of an attractive player as far as being effective and cost efficient," Fuentes said. "I figured I was kind of a hot commodity in that aspect.

 

"The Rockies figured I was more of an asset to them than what they were going to receive, so I'm still a Rockie."

 

And he's headed for a fourth straight losing season after a 10-game cameo with the 116-win Mariners of 2001. Fuentes, a 25th-round draft pick of Seattle in 1995, was left off the playoff roster that year, then traded that winter.

 

Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest and personnel chief Dan Jennings were with the Mariners when Fuentes began his pro career, and Marlins Assistant GM Michael Hill was with him in Colorado. So the Marlins are likely to make another push for Fuentes at some point.

 

Ask Fuentes how much he wants to experience the pressure of a pennant race, and his face lights up.

 

"Oh, it would be a load of fun," Fuentes said. "I've been in the playoffs twice in the minor leagues and won championships there. From what I hear it's an experience [in the majors]."

D*mning with feint praise, not something new for the Sun-Sentinel. It seems as if almost every piece this last week could have been titled "Here's another mistake the Marlins made...".