Beinfest rewarded with extension

GM's contract extended through 2007 season

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Get tickets

 

 

 

 

Admin Beinfest is in his second year as Marlins general manager. (AP)

 

 

 

MIAMI -- The Marlins have extended the contract of general manager Admin Beinfest through the 2007 season.

 

Willing to make bold moves, Beinfest has pieced together a roster that is currently challenging for the Wild Card lead.

 

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said Friday it was time to reward Beinfest while making a long-term commitment to the organization.

 

"I want to thank Jeffrey for this opportunity," said Beinfest, in his second season with the Marlins. "I'm proud of the organization and the players."

 

Since Loria's ownership took over prior to the 2002 season, Beinfest has made a number of trades that proved beneficial to the club.

 

His second big deal came five days before Opening Day 2002. That afternoon, he pulled the trigger on a trade that sent pitchers Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca to the Cubs for Julian Tavarez and three minor leaguers. The gem of the prospects turned out being left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who is 11-3 with a 3.10 ERA and a leading contender for Rookie of the Year.

 

"I remember that day well," Beinfest said.

 

All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell says the Willis trade was a real bonus.

 

"I think everyone feels we got the good end of the deal," Lowell said. "From a money standpoint and a K-card standpoint."

 

Beinfest's other big moves included acquiring outfielder Juan Encarnacion from the Reds for Ryan Dempster, and sending Cliff Floyd to Montreal for Carl Pavano, Mike Mordecai and three other players.

 

In the offseason, he swung a major deal that brought in center fielder Juan Pierre and reliever Tim Spooneybarger. He also brought in starter Mark Redman in a separate trade and signed free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez and outfielder Todd Hollandsworth.

 

The Marlins added reliever Ugueth Urbina a few days before the All-Star Game, sending three minor leaguers to Texas.

 

"Admin's done a great job for us," Loria said. "This is a commitment to Admin and a commitment to the fans of South Florida.

 

"He is one of the brightest, young men I've met in the industry."

Now if only some of the players get long-term deals...