November 8, 200520 yr Agent: Conine likely back By Joe Capozzi Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, November 08, 2005 The Marlins want Jeff Conine to return next year, his agent said Monday, but a contract offer is at least two weeks away. "I met with the Marlins last Thursday and we made a lot of progress,'' agent Michael Watkins said. "I know they want him, but they have a lot of issues they need to address first. They have their priorities and I hope and think Jeff is a priority to them.'' Conine, 39, made $3 million in 2005 and batted.304 in 131 games, although he hit only three home runs and had 33 RBI. He started 51 games in the outfield and 22 at first base. In 140 games in 2004, he batted.280 with 14 home runs and 83 RBI. The Westin resident might have to take a pay cut to return to the Marlins, whose front office will likely have to trim payroll from last season's club-record $65 million. If the Marlins wind up trading first baseman Carlos Delgado (owed $48 million over the next three years), Conine could start there. "Regardless of what they do with their payroll, I think they can fit Jeff in,'' Watkins said. "Year in and year out he does what he always does. If he doesn't start (early in the season), he ends up starting.'' Watkins' office is in Newport Beach, Calif., 90 minutes from Indian Wells, where baseball's general managers began gathering Monday for a week of meetings. Watkins said he told the Marlins he will be available to talk in person this week. General Manager Admin Beinfest indicated they would discuss Conine next week at the earliest. Grapefruit League: The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves will visit Jupiter this spring as part of Roger Dean Stadium's Grapefruit League schedule that will be released this week. The Yankees will play the Cardinals on March 17 and the Marlins on March 18. The Marlins will host the Red Sox on March 8. The Cardinals will host the Braves for two straight games on March 19 and 20. The Marlins open their spring-training season March 1 against the University of Miami. They play the Orioles on March 2 in Fort Lauderdale and on March 3 in Jupiter. No "A.J.-palooza": A year ago this time, Carl Pavano's agent was launching what he dubbed "Carlpalooza,'' a tour of prospective baseball cities the former Marlins pitcher considered before signing a $40 million contract with the Yankees. This year, another former Marlins right-hander, A.J. Burnett, is the top free-agent pitcher, but his agent is planning a low-key approach to shopping his client. Burnett visited Toronto last week. His agent, Darek Braunecker, said 22 teams have inquired about Burnett. Braunecker and his partner, Palm City attorney Mark Rodgers, plan to visit with teams this week in Indian Wells. For the love of God Capozzi, let it go just once in an article this off-season. Anyway, I'm sorry for posting more Capozzi garbage, but I felt that the Conine information was important.
November 8, 200520 yr If the Marlins wind up trading first baseman Carlos Delgado (owed $48 million over the next three years), Conine could start there. God f***ing dammit, Joe. I suggest we all send a letter to the PBP editor (or sports editor) telling him we're sick of it being in every article, that it turns away fans and upsets people.
November 8, 200520 yr I don't have a problem with Joe mentioning it in this article. It's all about context: Conine is a first basemen and there have been rumors of Delgado being traded. Ergo, if Delgado were traded, Conine could end up starting at first base.
November 8, 200520 yr Author I don't have a problem with Joe mentioning it in this article. It's all about context: Conine is a first basemen and there have been rumors of Delgado being traded. Ergo, if Delgado were traded, Conine could end up starting at first base. So...Conine is also a left-fielder. Notice that there's no mention of Lowell being moved to open a spot up on the infield for Cabrera which in turns opens up left-field for Conine.
November 8, 200520 yr With all due respect, I don't think the Delgado sentence is that big of a deal.
November 8, 200520 yr Are we going to have to listen to this doom-sayer say Delgado will be traded all the way through the trade deadline next season?
November 8, 200520 yr Author Are we going to have to listen to this doom-sayer say Delgado will be traded all the way through the trade deadline next season? His contract has three more years on it at escalating rates...if he stops at the '06 deadline, we'll be lucky.
November 8, 200520 yr Are we going to have to listen to this doom-sayer say Delgado will be traded all the way through the trade deadline next season? His contract has three more years on it at escalating rates...if he stops at the '06 deadline, we'll be lucky. True...this guy is a hack
November 8, 200520 yr I don't see how him mentioning the possible trade of Delgado is causing so much distress. It's a very good possibility considering the progress (lack of) of our stadium deal.
November 9, 200520 yr I don't see how him mentioning the possible trade of Delgado is causing so much distress. It's a very good possibility considering the progress (lack of) of our stadium deal. Because he says it in every article, even when it is not relevant.
November 9, 200520 yr Sure Conine will have to take a pay cut, but is he willing to come back for $1M?
November 9, 200520 yr I don't see how him mentioning the possible trade of Delgado is causing so much distress. It's a very good possibility considering the progress (lack of) of our stadium deal. Because he says it in every article, even when it is not relevant. I'm pretty sure I pointed out how it was relevent. If the story was about Damion Easley instead of Conine and they mentioned Delgado, I could understand the hate.
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