November 6, 200520 yr Beinfest ready for GM meetings BY KEVIN BAXTER kbaxter@herald.com What already has been an active offseason for Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest figures to get a little busier beginning Monday, when baseball's general managers get together for their annual four-day November meetings in Palm Springs, Calif. Although few trades are likely to be consummated there, the groundwork for future deals will be laid, and Beinfest has promised the Marlins will be active. ''We have some work to do; there's no question,'' said Beinfest, who first must decide which of the team's 13 free agents he would like to bring back. ``We need to assess the marketplace, assess trade opportunities and then go from there.'' Beinfest said owner Jeffrey Loria has provided ''some direction'' on where the team's payroll is headed and indications are that figure will shrink somewhat from the franchise-record $65 million Loria spent last year, although Beinfest declined to discuss specifics. However, he did say the team will continue to pursue pitching help, especially for the bullpen. ''We're continually trying to learn how to put together a strong, fortified bullpen. And it continues to be a challenge,'' Beinfest said. ``No question it needs to be looked at.'' Also on the to-do list is re-signing pitchers Josh Beckett and Dontrelle Willis and filling out the rest of new manager Joe Girardi's coaching staff. Two spots have been filled, with first base/infield coach Perry Hill returning for a fifth season and Bobby Meacham joining the staff as the third base coach. The team has also talked with Mark Wiley about returning as pitching coach, and former big-league manager Don Baylor and former National League batting champion Andres Galarraga are candidates for the vacancies at bench coach and hitting coach, respectively. ''There's activity,'' Beinfest said ``There's some conversations that are ongoing. We would like to get a coaching staff in place so that they can start their preparation [and] I can move on to other things as well.''
November 6, 200520 yr Author I'm ready for the Hot Stove league to get going as well. So far it's being quite uneventful.
November 6, 200520 yr beckett+willis+cabrera long term = competive team long term AGREE!! I HOPE IT HAPPENS MAN!!
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