Pudge not ruling out re-signing

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted September 6 2003

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico ? Pudge Rodriguez has said the last place he thought he'd end up this season was with the Marlins. Though many have speculated his tenure in South Florida won't last beyond 2003, Rodriguez isn't so sure.

 

Addressing reporters from his native Puerto Rico before Friday's game, Rodriguez made his strongest comments to date about wanting to re-sign with the club.

 

"I would like to stay here," said Rodriguez, a Miami Beach resident. "It's a good organization. I like the team. I'm at home with my kids. It's nice for a player to be with your family the whole time, but we have to wait."

 

Rodriguez signed a one-year, $10 million contract, all but $3 million of which is deferred. Among the terms of that agreement is that the Marlins would not offer salary arbitration.

 

That means the two sides must come to terms before the Dec. 7 deadline or the Marlins would be unable to negotiate with him until May.

 

"[General Manager] Admin [beinfest] has not discussed it with us because we're letting the season play out," team President David Samson said. "We're in the middle of an exciting pennant race, and Admin will have to address next year's team after the season, which I hope is not until November. ... He came in and said I will help take this team to the playoffs. He's 22 games from being right."

 

The prospect of Rodriguez returning remains unlikely, considering keeping this team intact after the latest round of acquisitions would approach $90 million. Rodriguez recently signed with super agent Scott Boras, who will seek a multiyear deal. Rodriguez would likely command upward of $8 million per season.

 

Before Friday, Rodriguez was noncommittal about a future with the Marlins, saying he wouldn't close any doors.

 

"The job I've done for the Marlins this year has been pretty good, and I think they're satisfied with it," he said. "I was hurt for a year and a half. ... but I've left that behind. What might worry them are the injuries, but the way I prepare myself physically outside the field that won't be problem.

 

"Right now I'm concentrated on winning. After that, we'll see what happens."

Saw this article. It is a nice sentiment, but I dont know if it will happen. First of all, why pay Pudge when we have Castro - sure, Pudge is more proven, probably better overall. But Castro has big upside too, and is cheaper. The main reason we will keep him and give him the starter job.

 

So, Pudge is going to have to take a major pay cut (doubtable) and also is going to have to move to another position. 2B I would like to see, but maybe not too practical considering we will have to re-sign too many players to also re-sign him as an experimental 2B. Just plug in Hooper or Medrano...cheaper and could be just as solid at the position.

i say get rid of Pudge, sign vlad have castro catch, and resign the starting 5

Yup i like what u said^^^^^^^^^^^,does castro have a good arm?

even if we let pudge go, we still have to pay him for the next 2 seasons his deffered amount of money.

 

To even have a chance at signing vlad we would have to let LC, Lee, Enc go likely. and raise some payroll...

decent defencively, i remember a few weaks ago he saved the game with a great block on a wild pitch by fox, that ended up winning the game cuz there was a man on third and the fish didnt score the next inning, it was in extras

I would think that if he really wanted to return, his deferred contract could be used nicely. Marlins could incorporate that money into the new deal or something. Sure, he'd be taking only 3 mil this season -- but if it is true that he want sto play here... what's the big deal?

 

Except Scott Boras is his agent and that will hinder a nice deal like this.

I dont understand why would he re sighn. He said if we were a contending team he will stay. Well if he goes we can have redmond and castro behind the plate like it was suppose to be. Its going to be exciting if Castro gets to play a whole lot more.

Why would you want to sign Pudge for *insert number here* when you could have Ramon Castro for whatever money he is making and spend it on a on a 2B? The Marlins need to spend their money where they need it the most, and they have a few options at catcher.

I'd love for the Marlins to re-sign Pudge, but I don't see it happening. Sure, I'd love to give Castro a chance, but if Rodriguez can be had for a reasonable price (not likely), I'd see what I could get for Castro on the trade market.

i say get rid of Pudge, sign vlad have castro catch, and resign the starting 5

:banghead lol, ...............so is THAT all we have to do .......i had no idea it was so easy.....yeah lets just sign vlad and our starting 5............that would probablly come close to equaling this years payroll already........sigh.........i miss the old board..............

I would think that if he really wanted to return, his deferred contract could be used nicely. Marlins could incorporate that money into the new deal or something. Sure, he'd be taking only 3 mil this season -- but if it is true that he want sto play here... what's the big deal?

 

Except Scott Boras is his agent and that will hinder a nice deal like this.

ah, realism, thank you Admin

yea but u lose the contracts of juan e, luis castillo lee, lowell, gonzalez, they should have enough money to sign guererro at least, vlad doesnt reely ask for alot anyway, he rresigned with montrael, reman, beckett, pavano shouldnt be to much, willis, then either resign burnett or penny,

i should of said starting 4, i dont think becketts been around long enough to leave after this year too

yea thats what i ment ajburnett i said i should of said 4 because willis is under contract

pudge will not get 8 million a year for 3 years+ as a catcher.

 

 

not in this market.

 

 

boras will try to inflate his value, it will not happen.

 

 

the days of super contracts are over for the time being at least.

Our management needs to spend some money to make money. That's how baseball works these days. If we do manage to resign Pudge, we also need to try and lock up Lowell to a long-term deal as well. I don't mind if we let go of Castillo and Burnett. We won't have Burnett back until August or so next season, at best. Castillo has not been stealing bases like he did last year. However, we need to resign Encarnacion and Lowell, but not Lee. Conine and eventually Jason Stokes can take over for him.

 

It would also be nice if we could keep Urbina somehow, and make him our full-time closer. He's way better than Looper will ever be.

i would be very disappointed if they let AJ go....

 

and Looper is finally getting the chance to close and is doing very well...

 

why do you say he will never be as good as Uggy? just wondering

Same here, Ramp. I want A.J. back in the teal, and black.

From rotoworld:Ivan Rodriguez said yesterday that he is interested in returning to Florida next season.

Whether he really wants to stay with the Marlins or not, Pudge would have been crazy to pick now to say he wanted out. Rodriguez signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the club prior to this season. Since he's stayed healthy, he's going to want a multiyear deal this winter. Source: Miami Herald

i would be very disappointed if they let AJ go....

 

and Looper is finally getting the chance to close and is doing very well...

 

why do you say he will never be as good as Uggy? just wondering

Have you seen Looper pitch lately? He's nearly blown several games for us. He keeps loading the bases in the 9th inning, and gives the other team a chance to come back. Urbina has only had a few bad innings since he got here.

funny....

 

so Looper will never ever be close to Urbina because of what he is done the past 5 games?

 

and how many BS does Uggy have? and how many does Loop have?

 

ill answer for you.... Uggy has 6, Loop has 4...

funny....

 

so Looper will never ever be close to Urbina because of what he is done the past 5 games?

 

and how many BS does Uggy have? and how many does Loop have?

 

ill answer for you.... Uggy has 6, Loop has 4...

Most, if not all of those blown saves came during when he was with Texas. Looper hasn't pitched overly well this year in general.

what does it truly matter if his blown saves came with texas or florida?

 

 

 

the texas defense is not bad.

Borass can only get in the way as much as Pudge lets him.