With the way the Marlins played for Joe Girardi, isn't it true that Fredi Gonzalez will be under pressure to do better than this club did?

-- Rafael H., Hialeah, Fla.

 

Your point is shared by many. As you'd expect, the dismissing of Girardi and the hiring of Gonzalez has generated the highest number of e-mails this past week. Unlike this past season -- when expectations were very low -- the team has now shown it can compete on a daily basis. With the young pitchers the Marlins have, there is no reason to believe the team can't contend for a postseason berth in 2007.

 

Girardi deserves a great deal of credit for having the players prepared, and he had them thinking they could win. That will be Gonzalez's challenge -- to continue the development of the young players. Health, of course, will play a huge factor for the success next season.

 

Gonzalez has managed in the Minor Leagues before. He has nearly 10 years of managing experience. He comes to the Marlins from the Braves, one of the most respected organizations in the league. Being groomed under Bobby Cox should have Gonzalez well prepared for the challenges of managing this club. The fact he speaks Spanish should help him communicate and connect well with the Latin players, which is an added bonus. Each season takes on its own personality, and next year Gonzalez has a chance to show what he can do.

 

Why in the world did Jeffrey Loria fire Girardi? I mean, come on, the guy had an outstanding year as the manager and is, in the minds of many people, deserving of Manger of the Year. Can you please explain this whole situation for me?

-- Pedro H., Boca Raton, Fla.

 

I tried to thoroughly explain the facts as I received them -- from both sides and objectively -- in the stories that I have written since Sunday, including when Girardi was dismissed Tuesday. Other media accounts also chronicled a number of reasons why the decision to let Girardi go was made. So, let's avoid rehashing what took place during and after the Aug. 6 game against the Dodgers, which really brought all this to light.

 

Now, the most simple way to explain why Girardi is no longer the Marlins' manager was stated bluntly by general manager Admin Beinfest. The relationship wasn't a "good fit." Does that make the team right and Girardi wrong? No.

 

Girardi is a talented person and he will land on his feet nicely. But in order to work together, you have to work with the people around you. The working relationship was strained for a long time, even before Spring Training. This isn't about Mr. Loria's "ego" to rid the organization of a Manager of the Year candidate. This was about a working relationship. Major League Baseball is a business, like any business. When there is a bad working relationship, changes are typically made. There were disagreements over personnel, clubhouse access and control. Even the day Girardi was dismissed, he said the manager should be the primary evaluator of talent. Maybe he will have that say in his next job.

 

How would you rate Loria as an owner? While the stadium/weather is an issue with fans, maybe keeping people around long enough -- so that the jersey you buy at the store one year is still wearable the next -- would be a cheaper place to start. Firing Girardi? How big is the owner's ego? This is the third year in a row this long-distance Marlins fan's heart has been broken.

-- Brian K., Monroe, N.J.

 

From the sound of this e-mail, your thoughts of the club owner are pretty clear. I understand the passion of fans, and the attachment they have, but if you look at the points you raise, this ownership has run a pretty successful ship. They took over the day Spring Training started in 2002, and their season-ticket base that year was predictably terrible. Yet the 2002 team was respectable, but underperformed with the past ownership's players.

 

The 2003 season was one of the great surprise stories in the history of the league. People talk about this year's team winning 78 games as a miracle. It's funny to me how many out there brush off the incredible odds the 2003 team overcame to win it all. Still, fan support that year was fourth from the bottom.

 

Then in 2004 and '05, the Marlins were right in the thick of the Wild Card race in mid-September. Still, attendance ranked right near the bottom of the league, and no stadium deal materialized, despite the team losing millions. Based on last year's offseason trades, it was predictable that fan support would be low. Then this team overachieved, which no one saw coming to this degree.

 

You want to blame the owner for the squabble with Girardi, and that's your right. But the troubles with Girardi and the front office were much deeper.

 

Still, the 2006 Marlins were in Wild Card contention until mid-September. What just happened between management and manager happens all the time in the business world. When people can't co-exist, there is change. If you think three straight winning seasons, including a World Series title, followed up by a season where the playoffs were in reach is terrible ownership, then nothing I say will convince you otherwise.

 

The Marlins have traded away so many great players in the past. Will they do the same thing this year with Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera?

-- Beth D., Pompano Beach, Fla.

 

The standard line from the front office is "never to say never." But in the cases of Willis and Cabrera, strong indications are both will be back, even though they may earn close to $13 million combined through arbitration. Based on service time, both will become eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. So, the Marlins may be prepared to keep going year-to-year with their two young superstars. Should they secure funding for a new stadium, that would increase the chances of signing both to long-term contracts. The team is well aware both are special players, and it realizes they are the nucleus to being a playoff team.

 

Is Rocco Baldelli a possibility for the Marlins' center-field position next year? And what about his teammate, Carl Crawford? How come I haven't heard anything about the Marlins showing interest in him, as Tampa Bay intends to dangle him? He does have a club-friendly contract.

-- Katherine H., Miami.

 

Baldelli signed a pretty lucrative contract last November, guaranteeing him $9 million over three seasons -- and it could be as much as $32 million over six years. So don't look for the Marlins to make a push for Baldelli. Crawford, meanwhile, made $2.5 million this past season. He is signed through 2008, and then has club options for 2009 and 2010. He is slated to earn $4 million next year, $5.25 million in 2008, $8.25 million in 2009 and $10 million in 2010.

 

Crawford clearly is a terrific talent, and it would probably take a lot to get him. The Marlins have a lot of intriguing young arms, and perhaps they would dangle them for Crawford. Considering that Florida hopeful of signing Willis and Cabrera next year, money could be tight after that. One center-field option I don't expect the Marlins to go after is Juan Pierre. While a fan favorite here, Pierre picked up his game in the second half. I think Pierre will look at signing with the Cardinals as a free agent.

 

Can you tell me how good Gaby Sanchez is in the Minor Leagues? He has very good numbers and is obviously the Marlins' best hitting prospect for next year. Do you think they would bring him up, and if they did, at what position? I was thinking about catcher or right field (move Jeremy Hermida to center or trade Miguel Olivo).

-- John-Marc P., Atlanta.

 

Sanchez indeed is a promising hitter, showing he can hit for average and power. He hit .317 with 14 homers and 40 RBIs in 55 games for low Class A Greensboro, before appearing in 16 games for Class A Jupiter. He was slowed by injury, and to get more at-bats, he is participating in the Arizona Fall League.

 

Keep in mind, a year ago, Dan Uggla really caught the Marlins' eye in the Arizona Fall League, so these next two months will give Sanchez a chance to impress people. A 23-year-old from the University of Miami, Sanchez could make the leap to the big leagues sometime in 2007. Depending, of course, on production and what moves are made, he probably will get a strong look in Spring Training.

 

While he has caught, he is playing mostly first base right now. As long as the Marlins have Mike Jacobs penciled in at first, another full season in the Minor Leagues may be helpful to Sanchez. Typically, players who step up at the Double-A level in the Marlins system are in line to be called up.

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...sp&c_id=fla

Man if we can somehow Carl Crawford, it would give this franshise a face such as the one from the year 2003. Although we don't have our pitching as geared as we did then, we have witnessed thin pitching teams making it far thus far in the playoffs this year. I like our chances with Carl Crawford leading off, that's all I am going to say.

I'd looooove to get a player like crawford...

I thought baldelli's contract was far cheaper then that?

I thought baldelli's contract was far cheaper then that?

 

 

 

You are correct. From my understanding of Baldelli's contract, he is set to make $750K in '07 and $2.25 million in '08. The big money only starts kicking in if his yearly options from '09-'11 are exercised.

Crawford or Baldelli would fit great into our plans.

Crawford or Baldelli would fit great into our plans.

 

ya, but I don't think baldelli's contract really does. Not saying Crawford's contract is 100% club friendly, but he makes up for it with his game.

Crawford or Baldelli would fit great into our plans.

 

ya, but I don't think baldelli's contract really does. Not saying Crawford's contract is 100% club friendly, but he makes up for it with his game.

 

How does Baldelli's $750K salary next season and $2.25 million in '08 not fit with the Marlins? It is much more affordable than Crawford's contract.

Crawford or Baldelli would fit great into our plans.

 

ya, but I don't think baldelli's contract really does. Not saying Crawford's contract is 100% club friendly, but he makes up for it with his game.

 

How does Baldelli's $750K salary next season and $2.25 million in '08 not fit with the Marlins? It is much more affordable than Crawford's contract.

"Baldelli signed a pretty lucrative contract last November, guaranteeing him $9 million over three seasons -- and it could be as much as $32 million over six years. So don't look for the Marlins to make a push for Baldelli."

 

As I said, Crawford is more money, but that's just because he's a much better player.

Joe is right about Baldelli's contract but wrong about the trigger.

 

Rocco Baldelli of

3 years/$9M (2006-08), plus club options (2009-11)

• agreed to extension 11/05 (avoided arbitration)
  
• 06:$2M, 07:$0.75M, 08:$2.25M, 09:$6M club option ($4M buyout), 10:$8M club option, 11:$9M club option ($2M buyout - 2010 & 2011 options must be exercised together)
  
• $4M escalator if Baldelli has 600 Plate Appearances in 2006$1.75M in 2007, increasing 07 salary to $2.5M
  
• $2.25M in 2008, increasing 08 salary to $4M
  

[*]performance bonuses for 2007 & 2008 if Baldelli fails to reach 600 PAs in 2006

[*]may earn as much as $32M from 2006 to 2011

Because he had only 364 ABS he doesn't qualify. He can though earn performance bonuses in 2007/2008, but that's exactly what the Marlins would want, a guy who they only pay big bucks for if he excels above his performance goals.

Crawford or Baldelli would fit great into our plans.

 

ya, but I don't think baldelli's contract really does. Not saying Crawford's contract is 100% club friendly, but he makes up for it with his game.

 

How does Baldelli's $750K salary next season and $2.25 million in '08 not fit with the Marlins? It is much more affordable than Crawford's contract.

"Baldelli signed a pretty lucrative contract last November, guaranteeing him $9 million over three seasons -- and it could be as much as $32 million over six years. So don't look for the Marlins to make a push for Baldelli."

 

As I said, Crawford is more money, but that's just because he's a much better player.

 

Marlins mailbag guy just dropped the ball. He was dead wrong about Baldelli's contract. In fact it looks like he may have just cribbed the portion of his article on Baldelli's contract from articles written at the time of the signing (one of those articles bolded below). The only guaranteed money Baldelli has coming is $750K in 2007 and $2.25 million in 2008 since he had less than 600 at bats this season (he had 364 total) and $4 million dollar buyout afterward (at the least).

 

If we did not buyout his contract and excercised every option on his contract, Baldelli would make:

 

2007 - $750K

2008 - $2.25 million

2009 - $6 million

2010 - $8 million

2011 - $9 million

________________

Total - $26 million (plus unspecified performance bonuses for '07 & '08)

 

Here is the old article on Baldelli's contract:

 

Baldelli signs new contract with D-Rays

November 10, 2005

 

Associated Press

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Piece by piece, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are laying the foundation for what new ownership expects to be a bright future.

 

Center fielder Rocco Baldelli signed a long-term contract Thursday that guarantees him $9 million over three years and could be worth $32 million for six seasons, a move reflecting principal owner Stuart Sternberg's commitment to keep a promising core of young talent together.

 

"He and Carl Crawford represent two premier building blocks of the organization," team president Matt Silverman said.

 

Last April, Crawford signed a similar six-year deal that could be worth up to $32.5 million. Baldelli's contract is designed to keep the young outfielders in the same lineup well into what the last-place Devil Rays expect to be a dramatic turnaround on the field.

 

The 24-year-old Baldelli is viewed as one of the keys to the future, even though he missed last season with knee and elbow injuries. He hit .289 with 11 homers and 78 RBIs as a rookie in 2003 and batted .280 with 16 homers the following year.

 

The speedy center fielder tore a knee ligament playing with his younger brother in the backyard of their Rhode Island home in October 2004. He was on the verge of rejoining the Devil Rays last summer when he tore a ligament in his right elbow and had to undergo Tommy John surgery.

 

Silverman said team doctors examined Baldelli and gave him a "clean bill of health."

 

"That news, combined with Rocco's great work ethic and dedication to his rehabilitation, gave us the confidence to make this deal," Silverman said.

 

Baldelli negotiated terms without help from an agent, meeting several times with executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Baldelli had agent Casey Close review the contract language.

 

Baldelli said he wasn't as interested in maximizing his earning potential as he was in remaining with Tampa Bay.

 

"I didn't sign this deal just to get a deal done. I did it because I like the direction the organization is going," Baldelli said. "I want to be a part of this team going on to build a winning tradition."

 

His deal guarantees him $2 million next year, $750,000 in 2007 and $2.25 million 2008, but if he has 600 plate appearances next year his 2007 salary goes up to $2.5 million and his 2008 salary increases to $4.5 million.

 

Tampa Bay has a $6 million option for 2009 with a $4 million buyout. If the Devil Rays exercise that, they get an $8 million option for 2010 and a $9 million option for 2011 that must be exercised together. Those options carry a $2 million buyout.

 

If he fails to get 600 plate appearances next season and trigger the escalators, he would have the chance to earn performance bonuses in 2007 and 2008.

 

New ownership adopted the catchy marketing slogan "Under Construction" when Sternberg took over the team from former managing general partner Vince Naimoli. Silverman was appointed team president and Friedman was promoted to his post as the club's top baseball executive.

 

Former Houston Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker was hired last week to work with Friedman, who has final say on baseball moves.

 

The next step likely will be the hiring of a manager, with Friedman expected to choose between Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon and incumbent Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren.

 

Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine was also a finalist. However, he's been considered a long shot from the start because the Devil Rays are not likely to spend the millions it might take to pry him away from his current job with Japan League champion Chiba Lotte.

 

Friedman, speaking by telephone Thursday from the general managers' meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., declined to comment on the status of the managerial search.

 

Source -- http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/artic...0/670668-p.html

 

Joe is right about Baldelli's contract but wrong about the trigger.

 

 

Thanks for backing me up, David. :lol

I could of sworn it was like that. Thank you both of you

 

 

Plus Crawford would cost us Willis most likely. Perhaps even more also as it is the Drays.