Marlins' double-play duo may part ways

 

 

Time to split up?

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted September 30 2005

 

 

It was a ground ball up the middle. Luis Castillo made a backhand stab in the grass behind second. Instead of flipping to rookie Robert Andino for the force out, Castillo unsuccessfully tried throwing across his body to get the runner at first.

 

Among the thoughts that ran through manager Jack McKeon's mind after watching that play during a decisive four-run Braves inning unfold last weekend: If Alex Gonzalez is at short, the Marlins make the play.

 

That wasn't meant as a knock on Andino. McKeon figured Castillo and Gonzalez's double-play dynamic, which has dazzled Marlins fans for the better part of seven seasons, would have taken over.

 

"Those two guys working together probably know where each other is without even looking, or they have some kind of communicative system where they could have made a throw to second and got the guy there," McKeon said. "Like I've said many a time, I actually think those guys could turn double plays over blindfolded."

 

This month offered a preview of what a Marlins middle infield might be like next season without Gonzalez and/or Castillo. Both raised in the Marlins system, Gonzalez is a free agent at season's end. Castillo has one more year and an option remaining on his contract, but there's no guarantee he will return either.

 

No other active middle infield tandem has started more games together than Castillo and Gonzalez (715), the last of those coming Sept. 4. The Marlins will see the next closest duo -- Marcus Giles and Rafael Furcal (388) -- starting tonight during their season-ending series against the Braves at Dolphins Stadium.

 

"One without the other will survive because they're so good," infield coach Perry Hill said. "They're tremendously talented players, but they're really something special together. No other tandem that I've seen since I've been here has been any better than those two, in either league.

 

"Everybody will see how much we've taken those two for granted, how good they are. The things they do that we don't notice will really show up. Whoever replaces [Gonzalez] I'm sure in time will be just as good, but when you play together that long and know each other that well, there is going to be a void."

 

Even with Gonzalez undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his throwing elbow Thursday, he shouldn't have any trouble securing no less than a three-year deal. Cincinnati Reds medical director and orthopedic surgeon Tim Kremchek removed two bone chips and left the elbow in pristine shape, according to Eric Goldschmidt, Gonzalez's agent.

 

Goldschmidt doesn't anticipate Gonzalez having to showcase his arm for interested teams. Any prospective employers can do their own MRI and see the surgery results. Gonzalez will resume baseball activity in six weeks.

 

The Marlins might have trouble matching a three- or four-year offer for the 28-year-old Gonzalez. They could ultimately sign a one-year stopgap to fill in until Andino is ready to take over.

 

"[Gonzalez] knows he might have options," Hill said. "I know for a fact this is his first choice. Whatever happens, I think he might be a little bit different than Luis in that he's willing to explore [other opportunities], but he would rather not explore those. I know that for a fact. He would rather just go ahead and get it taken care of."

 

Castillo, who made his last start on Sept. 18 due to a hamstring injury, will likely win his third consecutive Gold Glove. He is signed through next season, but the Marlins might not hesitate to trade him if they can attach Mike Lowell's contract (two years, $18 million). Castillo's salary jumps a modest $500,000 to $5 million in 2006, but he is all but certain to trigger a fourth-year guarantee.

 

Castillo needs 400 plate appearances next season to vest a $5.75 million option for 2007.

 

"You never know," Castillo said. "Maybe I won't be here. Hopefully, Alex stays with us. ... I don't know what decisions they've taken with Alex. What's in my mind and the way I see things, it looks a little tough. I don't know if the Marlins are going to re-sign him.

 

"It's lamentable. This is a business. I've played a lot of years with Alex. I feel good with him. We make a good combination. Now I might have to get accustomed to someone else not knowing what kind of relationship we'll have on the field. It's another kind of job. You never know. The moment hasn't come where Alex or the Marlins have made a decision."

 

Juan C. Rodriguez can be reached at jcrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com.

 

The Marlins couldn't possibly deal Castillo, could they...who's going to play second?

 

I mean, since Castillo's been injured, the top of the order offense and infield defense have both struggled terribly, reaffirming what many here know but don't say: Luis Castillo is the most valuable player on our team that no one gives any credit to.

Luis Castillo is the most valuable player on our team that no one gives any credit to.

 

 

I totally agree with you. :thumbup

seems like reporters are running out of topics. all we can do is wait and see.

A-Gon is a player I believe when he says he wants to stay here, although I think it's wiser for us to hire a cheap stopgap to save money for signing Willis/Beckett/Cabs.

A-Gon is a player I believe when he says he wants to stay here, although I think it's wiser for us to hire a cheap stopgap to save money for signing Willis/Beckett/Cabs.

 

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

I also found this quote very telling:

 

"[Gonzalez] knows he might have options," Hill said. "I know for a fact this is his first choice. Whatever happens, I think he might be a little bit different than Luis in that he's willing to explore [other opportunities], but he would rather not explore those. I know that for a fact. He would rather just go ahead and get it taken care of."

 

Like you said, I believe Alex fully when he says he wants to stay, but I also believe that he won't let that get in the way of his getting a 3 year deal somewhere.

If he's willing to take less to stay, something affordable but not lowballing him, we would be wise to sign him. We won't find a better defensive shortstop, not to mention he and Castillo go together hand-in-glove as a DP combo.

If he's willing to take less to stay, something affordable but not lowballing him, we would be wise to sign him. We won't find a better defensive shortstop, not to mention he and Castillo go together hand-in-glove as a DP combo.

 

 

Yeah, but not for more than 2 years.

 

Andino's going to be good, and inexpensive. I have reservations about handing the job over to Andino for '06, but it'll be his in '07 barring something unforseen.

As far as I'm concerned IF both Castillo and Gonzalez go that literally and figuratively is gutting the team. Marlins have a history of good to great closers and defensive shortstops. From Renteria to Gonzo. Renteria of course was a superior shortstop. I didn't like to see Renteria go, but I remember when Gonzo was first brought up, I thought he had great potential defensively. I don't see the same in Andino. I don't understand what people do see in Andino. Time will tell, but to me, he looks vastly inferior to what Gonzo looked like at this stage in their careers. I do think signing Gonzo to at least a 2-year deal should be a priority if we expect to contend next year. Andino needs more time to develop.

As far as I'm concerned IF both Castillo and Gonzalez go that literally and figuratively is gutting the team. Marlins have a history of good to great closers and defensive shortstops. From Renteria to Gonzo. Renteria of course was a superior shortstop. I didn't like to see Renteria go, but I remember when Gonzo was first brought up, I thought he had great potential defensively. I don't see the same in Andino. I don't understand what people do see in Andino. Time will tell, but to me, he looks vastly inferior to what Gonzo looked like at this stage in their careers. I do think signing Gonzo to at least a 2-year deal should be a priority if we expect to contend next year. Andino needs more time to develop.

 

 

Andino's got a stronger throwing arm, equal range, and the swagger that just makes a young kid exciting. Your opinion is warranted, Andino really does look pretty raw. However, he was a second round pick in the same draft as Hermida, so the kid isn't that far from being truly "ready."

 

I was big on the Andino bandwagon when it seemed that we'd need the freed up money from Gonzalez/Encarnacion to make an offer to AJ, but now that it seems that isn't happening, I don't think there's such a mandate to clear payroll since no one is going to make a killing in arbitration this year (since Cabrera's got another year) and everyone else was under contract. If Loria and Beinfest were simply dealing with ma?ana economics, that's their problems.

 

Whatever happens with Gonzalez, I'm confident in saying it will be more of a baseball decision than an economic one. I will absolutely flip out if Castillo is dealt, though, that I promise you.

I cannot envision Luis in any other uniform but in teal.

I'm not sold on Andino at all. We should do what we can to keep the Bass without overpaying.

As far as I'm concerned IF both Castillo and Gonzalez go that literally and figuratively is gutting the team. Marlins have a history of good to great closers and defensive shortstops. From Renteria to Gonzo. Renteria of course was a superior shortstop. I didn't like to see Renteria go, but I remember when Gonzo was first brought up, I thought he had great potential defensively. I don't see the same in Andino. I don't understand what people do see in Andino. Time will tell, but to me, he looks vastly inferior to what Gonzo looked like at this stage in their careers. I do think signing Gonzo to at least a 2-year deal should be a priority if we expect to contend next year. Andino needs more time to develop.

 

 

Andino's got a stronger throwing arm, equal range, and the swagger that just makes a young kid exciting. Your opinion is warranted, Andino really does look pretty raw. However, he was a second round pick in the same draft as Hermida, so the kid isn't that far from being truly "ready."

 

I was big on the Andino bandwagon when it seemed that we'd need the freed up money from Gonzalez/Encarnacion to make an offer to AJ, but now that it seems that isn't happening, I don't think there's such a mandate to clear payroll since no one is going to make a killing in arbitration this year (since Cabrera's got another year) and everyone else was under contract. If Loria and Beinfest were simply dealing with ma?ana economics, that's their problems.

 

Whatever happens with Gonzalez, I'm confident in saying it will be more of a baseball decision than an economic one. I will absolutely flip out if Castillo is dealt, though, that I promise you.

If you truly think that Andino has greater arm strength and equal range to Gonzo, which would basically make him better, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Swagger means nothing to me. And baseball, like football, is littered with second round draft picks that never amount to much....and late round picks that became stars. I hope that Andino does eventually follow in the footsteps of Renteria and Gonzo. I just don't see it yet.

I'd like to see the FO sign Gonzo to a 1 yr deal with a mutual 1 yr option, or 2 years at the most. I'm not sure Gonzo will accept that, but he might.

 

The FO must be pretty desperate to trade Lowell if they believe they need to tie Luiy to it to get a deal done. I'd rather pay a few mil on Lowell's contract and keep Luiy.

 

Dealing Luiy will in effect break up the team. We are going to start a fresh tandem up the middle? We won't have to worry about expectations next year if this happens.