Posted October 28, 200519 yr Thursday seven Marlins -- pitchers Brian Moehler, A.J. Burnett, Paul Quantrill and Ismael Valdez; infielders Lenny Harris and Alex Gonzalez; and outfielder Juan Encarnacion -- filed for free agency, although the Marlins retain exclusive rights to negotiate with all seven until Nov. 10. Six others, including relievers Antonio Alfonseca and Todd Jones, outfielder Jeff Conine and infielder Damion Easley did not file Thursday and have two more weeks in which to do so. Link Could it be that Alfonseca, Jones Conine and Easley are all trying to work out a contract with the FO before the filing period is over?
October 28, 200519 yr Could it be that Alfonseca, Jones Conine and Easley are all trying to work out a contract with the FO before the filing period is over? Probably not, there's no advantage/disadvantage to filing on the first or last day, just as long as it's in by the deadline. I expect Alfonseca and Conine to come back, not likely for Jones and almost no chance for Easley.
October 28, 200519 yr I'm not arguing the point Swifty, I'm just curious why you think Easley won't be back?
October 28, 200519 yr I'm not arguing the point Swifty, I'm just curious why you think Easley won't be back? Because of the organization's "highness" on Andino and the presence of Josh Wilson. Andino's too raw to be the starting short-stop next season if we're going to try to win the division (which, thanks to the departure of Mazonne, I think is a realistic goal), and he's already shined at AA, meaning he'd either sit on the bench which is just a waste, or he'd get a full year in at AAA, and serve as an emergency injury call-up. That means that the 2005 AAA short-stop, Josh Wilson, is out of a job, and common sense tells me that Wilson is too valuable (and cheap) to non-tender, and not valuable enough to use as a meaningful trade chip...which leads me to conclude that his spot in 2006 is on the big-club's bench. I like Easley, I wish him the best, but it seems Wilson has the utility infielder's role on the bench locked up, not to mention, going from Easley's contract this year (about 1 million) to Wilson at the minimum saves the club around $700,000...not bad, especially when you consider that we're either going to have to eat some of Lowell's deal to get him out of here, or dig deep to reshape the bullpen.
October 28, 200519 yr I'd bet moolah on Conine returning.... ...Alfonseca I'd actually say he doesn't return though I'm not surprised if he does... ...I say we, like Alex Gonzalez, make one pitch for Jones and that's all...if he likes it he stays...but more likely, with the amazing year he had, he moves on to a bigger market for more cash...though probably has a lesser season in 2006 (this year's Carl Pavano)...not that I wish that on him at all, its just my prediction... as far as Easley, I say we make a strong push to keep him...he wants a starting job elsewhere and would probably only leave for that...I see no sense in him switching teams for the same utility role...especially when he's built up a solid reputation down here...I understand the Andino deal, though I say Wilson is way too green...basically at shortstop next year, its an unknown free agent who we pick up for one year, with both Andino and Easley backing him up...Easley for when it counts...Andino for late innings and blowouts...though I wouldn't doubt seeing Andino at AAA to start '06...he's just way too fresh to be wasted in a starting role...
October 28, 200519 yr I do not think Easley will be retained, because the club will probably not be able to hammer out a deal with Gonzalez and will seek a more competent backup at shortstop. Easley is a fine reserve infielder, but should Andino or Wilson flop, Easley is incapable of playing shortstop for an extended period of time.
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