Marlins ready to make tough calls

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted November 6 2005

 

 

Their manager has signed. Their free agents have filed. The Marlins can now focus on shaping what will likely be a financially streamlined 2006 roster.

 

Those efforts begin in earnest Monday, when baseball's personnel officials gather for the general managers meetings in Palm Springs, Calif. Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest said he has received enough budgetary guidance from owner Jeffrey Loria to move forward. That's as specific as he would get.

"We like to keep our business in house,"Beinfest said. "Some of it may be strategic, and it's not something we've talked about in the past. It's that time of the year when you have those kinds of discussions, and we've talked about a lot of different ideas with Jeffrey."

 

The Marlins opened 2005 with a record $66 million payroll. Count on that figure dropping into the $55 million-$60 million range.

 

Five players already are signed through 2006 for a combined $36.84 million, a figure that includes prorated signing bonuses. Add a $2 million deferral payment due Pudge Rodriguez and the second of four $250,000 annual installments to Al Leiter's foundation as part of last season's one-year, $8 million deal, and the Marlins already are at $39.09 million.

 

So there is speculation the Marlins must jettison some big-ticket items. Their most lucrative piece is Carlos Delgado. Entering the second season of a four-year, $52 million deal, his salary spikes from $4 million to $13.5 million in 2006.

 

Replacing Delgado's left-handed offense (.301-33 HRs-115 RBI) would be daunting, but the Marlins could likely survive without Mike Lowell. Due $9 million each of the next two seasons (only a combined $1 million of which is deferred), Lowell is coming off a brutally unspectacular campaign at the plate (.236-6-57).

 

Nonetheless, he now is a Gold Glover, has an established track record and could prove appealing to a team needing a third baseman if the Marlins eat some of the money. No one will touch Lowell at $9 million, but he may be more palatable at $5 million each of the next two seasons in a market where Joe Randa and Bill Mueller are the best free-agent hot-corner men.

 

Ideally, the Marlins would love to make budding superstar Miguel Cabrera their every-day third baseman and seek additional outfield help.

 

Asked whether he was confident the resources were enough to maintain a winning product, Beinfest's response was vague.

 

"That's digging into some stuff I don't want to get in to," he said. "We've enjoyed winning, albeit some frustration not getting ultimately to where we want to go ... Jeffrey's directive is to win and create a winning culture here. He's done a very good job of that. Beyond that you start to dig into what our things may be coming up, and I'm not real comfortable doing that."

 

Which of their 13 free agents the Marlins want to retain is unclear. Although several teams take advantage of the current exclusivity period to re-sign free agents, Beinfest offered no indication the Marlins were going after any of their players.

 

Among those most likely tabbed for a return engagement at the right price: right-handers Antonio Alfonseca and Brian Moehler, utility infielder Damion Easley, pinch hitter Lenny Harris and infielder/outfielder Jeff Conine.

 

For reasons ranging from money to conduct detrimental to clubhouse chemistry, don't count on pitcher A.J. Burnett, pitcher Todd Jones, outfielder Juan Encarnacion, shortstop Alex Gonzalez or pitcher Ismael Valdez to be back.

 

Teams can only negotiate with their own free agents through Wednesday. Starting Thursday, they can talk dollars with everyone.

 

Juan C. Rodriguez can be reached at [email protected].

 

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins

So, is '06 going to be a "rebuilding" themed season, or is it going to be a "David v Goliath" themed season?