September 3, 200322 yr I just got this article! Marlins Notes: Lee may be leaving By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Wednesday, September 3, 2003 Jeff Conine's return to the Marlins could be the beginning of Derrek Lee's departure. When the Marlins traded for Conine late Sunday, they reworked his contract from Baltimore and gave him an extension through 2005 ($3 million each next year and in '05). Conine will play left field the rest of this season. Rookie Miguel Cabrera, who played left field since he was called up in June, will fill in at third base for injured All-Star Mike Lowell. Lowell is out for four weeks after suffering a broken left hand Saturday. Conine's extension is a signal that the team won't trade him, even if he is 37. Conine is hugely popular with fans and was a member of the Marlins' 1997 World Series-winning team. "We wanted to keep him here,'' General Manager Admin Beinfest said. "He's in great shape, he's an incredibly hard worker, and he's playing that way. We did not see any problem with his age at this point.'' That means the Marlins next year will have to trade either Lowell or Lee because they can afford to keep Cabrera, who will earn at least the minimum $300,000 for each of the next three years. Lowell, who is making $3.7 million this year in the last year of a three-year deal, could command at least $6.5 million next year. Lee is making $4.25 million this year and could get $6 million in 2004. "Maybe this'll be the year, but that's not what I'm worried about," Lee said of a possible trade. "I want to get to the post-season. "It seems like every year I feel like I'm going to be gone. I love the (Conine) deal. With Mikey going down you needed to make a move.'' The Marlins traded two top pitching prospects to get Conine -- Class A right-handers Denny Bautista and Don Levinski. Although Bautista was on a track similar to the rise of Dontrelle Willis, Lee said his teammates still like the trade. "You've got to go for it. It's not every year you have a chance to be in the post-season,'' Lee said. Luis, Luis: Marlins manager Jack McKeon did not hesitate to return second baseman Luis Castillo to the lineup Tuesday after resting Castillo's sore leg Monday. "He said he's fine and that's all I wanted to know," McKeon said. "You've just got to give him a day once in a while." Castillo entered the contest with a 15-game hit streak, the longest active streak in the majors. Up on the farm: For the third time in franchise history, the Marlins have three farm clubs in the post-season: Class AAA Alberquerque, AA Carolina and A Jupiter. Link
September 3, 200322 yr I think we should trade him to the O's for Bautista and Levinski this winter :shifty
September 3, 200322 yr I think we should trade him to the O's for Bautista and Levinski this winter :shifty :mischief2
September 3, 200322 yr Guys, we still have at least a month left in the season, calm down these talks. We will have plenty in the offseason.
September 3, 200322 yr I'd rather not think about Lee leaving until the season's over with.... Exactly, Why are we disscussing about Lee leaving in the off-season? The season ain't over yet guys,we're in the heat of the Wild Card race.Save this until after the playoffs. :shifty
September 3, 200322 yr Guys, we still have at least a month left in the season, calm down these talks. We will have plenty in the offseason. Amen
September 3, 200322 yr Author I think we should trade him to the O's for Bautista and Levinski this winter :shifty Take out Levinski and put Bautista :thumbup We shoulfnt think about trading lee right now. We are in the playoff race and we need to continue winning.
September 3, 200322 yr Take out Levinski and put Bautista :thumbup We shoulfnt think about trading lee right now. We are in the playoff race and we need to continue winning. Continue winning? You haven't really been winning in the first place!
September 3, 200322 yr Author Continue winning? You haven't really been winning in the first place! Well yea coninue winning. Thats one reason we are in 1st place or in the Wildcard itself. your Seccond comment, Answer: You havent seen me play so you dont know if iv'e been winning
September 3, 200322 yr your Seccond comment, Answer: You havent seen me play so you dont know if iv'e been winning He's talking about the Marlins, not you.
September 3, 200322 yr Author He's talking about the Marlins, not you. I know i was just trying to make him View his error.
September 3, 200322 yr Author Well with Estrada with the Braves now they could but i dont think they want to let go of him specially the way he has been hitting. He is tearing up the ball the whole season. He increased his numbers by a whole lot. I dont see him leaving there...
September 3, 200322 yr Well with Estrada with the Braves now they could but i dont think they want to let go of him specially the way he has been hitting. He is tearing up the ball the whole season. He increased his numbers by a whole lot. I dont see him leaving there... Javy is going to convert to a 1B and will play there for the rest of his career. He's made that decision, and I don't really want Javy anymore. It's great how well he did this season but I really don't think he can keep it going any more than 1 more season.
September 4, 200322 yr Continue winning? You haven't really been winning in the first place! :banghead Did the Marlins just get swept by the Mets? I think not.
September 4, 200322 yr It'd be so awesome if the Braves let Javy become a free agent and got Lee. I'm sure the Braves are going to concentrate on getting pitching on the offseason. Anyways, what's wrong with Robert Fick?
September 4, 200322 yr How about trading Conine (who is old) and keeping the New Mr.Marlin , Derrek Lee
September 4, 200322 yr How about trading Conine (who is old) and keeping the New Mr.Marlin , Derrek Lee Lee as Mr. Marlin? I don't know if many people will agree with you there. I thought Lowell is the new Mr. Marlin?
September 4, 200322 yr I hope they publish the flight information when Lee finally leaves town. That way I can go out to the airport and makes sure he actually leaves. See ya, You no clutch hitting, overrated strikeout machine.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.