Marlins ready for GM Meetings

With limited resources, Beinfest will be creative in '07

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

MIAMI -- With limited financial resources, the Marlins are not expected to make major free-agent signings. But retaining some of their standouts from this past season remains a priority.

General manager Admin Beinfest said Thursday the club has talked with the representatives of Joe Borowski and Wes Helms.

 

"We have had conversations with both Wes Helms' and Joe Borowski's agents," Beinfest said. "Things are ongoing and we'll leave it at that."

 

The Marlins have through Saturday to negotiate exclusively with their own free agents. Sunday marks the first day free agents can sign with other clubs.

 

Most likely, Borowski and Helms will want to test the free-agent waters, but the Marlins are now gauging whether they can reach deals with the two veterans.

 

Borowski enjoyed a strong 2006 season, finishing with a career-high 36 saves. The right-hander was a solid performer on a youthful squad, providing leadership while logging 69 2/3 innings in 72 games. He signed for the league minimum this past season, but through incentives earned just over $1 million.

 

Helms, who made $800,000 in 2006, was a productive situational player who batted .329 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 240 at-bats. He found himself platooning at first base with the left-handed-hitting Mike Jacobs late in the season. Helms also was a defensive replacement at first, along with playing some third base. He was the team's best pinch-hitter.

 

Beinfest confirmed he has a working payroll figure handed down from team owner Jeffrey Loria. Without getting specific, Beinfest says the team once again has economic challenges. Still, the number is expected to be higher than last year's league-low $15 million.

 

"I think our challenge is the same as it always is every year," Beinfest said. "It's to try to be as productive with what we have, to try to expand it as best we can, and to be creative. I think that same challenge is facing us right now. We do have a working number from Jeffrey. We're going to go to work on it."

 

While no one in the organization is specifically saying it, the Marlins are likely to sign both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. The duo has become the face of the franchise. Both are now arbitration-eligible, and to keep them will cost about $12 million.

 

As the General Managers Meetings are set to begin next week in Naples, Fla., unsubstantiated rumors are circulating that trade offers will be made for Willis. This is nothing new for the Marlins, who have a standard policy of saying no player is off limits. Yet parting with Willis does not seem to be in the team's plans.

 

Despite their low payroll and going with a rookie-laden roster in 2006, the Marlins won 78 games. There is optimism within the organization that they can compete for a playoff spot in 2007. In order to do so, Willis projects to play a huge part for the club.

 

Willis earned $4.35 million in 2006. Cabrera, who made $472,000 this past year, is eligible for arbitration for the first time.

 

"If you go back to last Spring Training, stuff was swirling about Dontrelle," Beinfest said. "I'm not really going to comment about rumors. I have my canned line where some players are less likely to be traded than others. Dontrelle is Dontrelle. He's an outstanding young pitcher, and we recognize his contributions and what he's done in the past, and what he can do for us in the future. He is arbitration-eligible, and we're gearing up to have those conversations with [Willis' agent] Matt Sosnick, and likewise with Miguel Cabrera, and [catcher] Miguel Olivo."

 

Willis and Cabrera won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season. The Marlins may consider signing both their young superstars long-term, but to do so, they would consider offering a minimum of four-year deals.

 

"I think our track record has shown that we do not generally do multi-year contracts that just include years [players are in] the arbitration program," Beinfest said. "It would have to include [some years] of free agency. They both are three years away from free agency. You're talking about significant deals and significant dollars."

 

For now, at least, it appears the Marlins would sign Willis and Cabrera to one-year contracts.

 

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

 

Expect for them to both sign 1 year deals... Something the Marlins will always do, Never give long-term deals..

Well thats until the Stadium comes into play, whenever that may be. I am just hoping we can get Helms to come back.

better than nothing i guess...i just hope we get that stadium soon..

better than nothing i guess...i just hope we get that stadium soon..

 

AMEN!!

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

Lock em up Beinfest!

Wes Helms is NECESSARY to have back. PLEASE OFFER HIM A FAIR AMOUNT ! That is all I ask.

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

 

Totally agree with you.. You will never have a marlins players that is going to make 10 MIL guar. even if they slack/suck....

Wes Helms is NECESSARY to have back. PLEASE OFFER HIM A FAIR AMOUNT ! That is all I ask.

I agree. I thought Helms was one of the better clutch hitters we have ever had. OTOH, even though I am not a huge fan of JoBo I think we should sign Borowski because of his veteran presence.

While I'm normally a big fan of the Marlin's strategy of one year deals and paying for performance, I think Cabrera is one of those special players you break the rules for. He shows no signs of slowing down and has matured as a hitter each season. Given how much a deal with Cabrera will cost when he can become a free agent, I think that the cost-saving move is to lock him up. The risk of the team not getting their money's worth with him and regretting that decision is really small, in my opinion.

hopefuly the marlins understand that nobody wants to take a discount to play in front of 10,000 people a night.

Not to mention the fact that the trade value of both players goes way up if they are signed to 5 or 6 year deals.

I know we all have covered this before and honestly I can't remember how many times I've said it all ready, but once again... I'll sh*t myself when we get a stadium deal done(especially if its in downtown). I'm not all that thrilled about the discussed location in Hialeah but hey, its better that than no team at all. And you know once that happens then we should give them solid long term deals. They deserve some stability after what they've done for us in the past, and not being rumored to be moved year after year.

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

 

Totally agree with you.. You will never have a marlins players that is going to make 10 MIL guar. even if they slack/suck....

 

Yeah, and you'll never have one here for more than 5 or 6 years! I know I'm going to love seeing Miggy with the Mets.

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

 

Totally agree with you.. You will never have a marlins players that is going to make 10 MIL guar. even if they slack/suck....

 

Yeah, and you'll never have one here for more than 5 or 6 years! I know I'm going to love seeing Miggy with the Mets.

 

In this era of baseball, how many players ACTUALLY stay with teams for 5-6 seasons? Very, very, very few. Even if players are signed to long-term deals, things change, players are dealt.

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

 

Totally agree with you.. You will never have a marlins players that is going to make 10 MIL guar. even if they slack/suck....

 

Yeah, and you'll never have one here for more than 5 or 6 years! I know I'm going to love seeing Miggy with the Mets.

In this era of baseball, how many players ACTUALLY stay with teams for 5-6 seasons? Very, very, very few. Even if players are signed to long-term deals, things change, players are dealt.

Well, let's look at the Oakland model, they used the pay a little-more, save a lot later philosophy to ensure that they had all their guys through at least every arbitration season.

 

Tampa has done the same with Crawford and Baldelli.

 

Would it kill us to use our one negotiating window of strength to our advantage?

 

Look at it simply...Cabrera is ours through 2009. 2007, 2008 and 2009 he'll likely be looking at salaries of $7, $12 and $16 mil...combined $34 mil over three seasons. Come to him at 6/$72 or something like that and it's a win-win. We ensure long-term presence of one of the three best players in baseball and he exchanges a few free agent years for substantial long term security at an increased average annual salary than he's looking at currently.

 

The longer we wait, the more it'll cost to "buyout" those free agent years, and as we know with Loria, anything expensive is about as likely to happen and be honored to its completion as David Samson winning a Mr. Nice Guy award.

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

 

Totally agree with you.. You will never have a marlins players that is going to make 10 MIL guar. even if they slack/suck....

 

Yeah, and you'll never have one here for more than 5 or 6 years! I know I'm going to love seeing Miggy with the Mets.

In this era of baseball, how many players ACTUALLY stay with teams for 5-6 seasons? Very, very, very few. Even if players are signed to long-term deals, things change, players are dealt.

Well, let's look at the Oakland model, they used the pay a little-more, save a lot later philosophy to ensure that they had all their guys through at least every arbitration season.

 

Tampa has done the same with Crawford and Baldelli.

 

Would it kill us to use our one negotiating window of strength to our advantage?

 

Look at it simply...Cabrera is ours through 2009. 2007, 2008 and 2009 he'll likely be looking at salaries of $7, $12 and $16 mil...combined $34 mil over three seasons. Come to him at 6/$72 or something like that and it's a win-win. We ensure long-term presence of one of the three best players in baseball and he exchanges a few free agent years for substantial long term security at an increased average annual salary than he's looking at currently.

 

The longer we wait, the more it'll cost to "buyout" those free agent years, and as we know with Loria, anything expensive is about as likely to happen and be honored to its completion as David Samson winning a Mr. Nice Guy award.

 

If you think Cabrera will sign with us for 6-years at $72 Million, you're dreaming. He's young, not stupid. He knows he can probably get $15 Million+ a year from someone after 2009. He'll bite the bullet until then with us. I think Miguel loves Miami, but honestly, I don't think he loves the Marlins. Dontrelle is very convincing when he says he wants to stay, but I can't recall Miguel ever confirming (or denying) that he wants to stay here.

 

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

 

Totally agree with you.. You will never have a marlins players that is going to make 10 MIL guar. even if they slack/suck....

 

Yeah, and you'll never have one here for more than 5 or 6 years! I know I'm going to love seeing Miggy with the Mets.

In this era of baseball, how many players ACTUALLY stay with teams for 5-6 seasons? Very, very, very few. Even if players are signed to long-term deals, things change, players are dealt.

Well, let's look at the Oakland model, they used the pay a little-more, save a lot later philosophy to ensure that they had all their guys through at least every arbitration season.

 

Tampa has done the same with Crawford and Baldelli.

 

Would it kill us to use our one negotiating window of strength to our advantage?

 

Look at it simply...Cabrera is ours through 2009. 2007, 2008 and 2009 he'll likely be looking at salaries of $7, $12 and $16 mil...combined $34 mil over three seasons. Come to him at 6/$72 or something like that and it's a win-win. We ensure long-term presence of one of the three best players in baseball and he exchanges a few free agent years for substantial long term security at an increased average annual salary than he's looking at currently.

 

The longer we wait, the more it'll cost to "buyout" those free agent years, and as we know with Loria, anything expensive is about as likely to happen and be honored to its completion as David Samson winning a Mr. Nice Guy award.

 

If you think Cabrera will sign with us for 6-years at $72 Million, you're dreaming. He's young, not stupid. He knows he can probably get $15 Million+ a year from someone after 2009. He'll bite the bullet until then with us. I think Miguel loves Miami, but honestly, I don't think he loves the Marlins. Dontrelle is very convincing when he says he wants to stay, but I can't recall Miguel ever confirming (or denying) that he wants to stay here.

Well, let's look at the Oakland model, they used the pay a little-more, save a lot later philosophy to ensure that they had all their guys through at least every arbitration season.

 

Look at it simply...Cabrera is ours through 2009. 2007, 2008 and 2009 he'll likely be looking at salaries of $7, $12 and $16 mil...combined $34 mil over three seasons. Come to him at 6/$72 or something like that and it's a win-win. We ensure long-term presence of one of the three best players in baseball and he exchanges a few free agent years for substantial long term security at an increased average annual salary than he's looking at currently.

The problem with the Oakland model is Beane does it after year 1 or 2, not after year 3 when arbitration hits. You have much greater bargaining options when a player is club controlled. See Dan Haren, who probably has the most club friendly contract in baseball based on his production. This point alone is exactly why the Marlins need to plop a 5/$15 in front of Hanley tomorrow. He would take it without hesitation, and for the love of god would it save $5-7 over the course of those seasons. Which is basically a $1.5 million RP the last 4 years of his deal. Which I'm going to say helps this team a lot.

 

As for Cabrera, this is a very realistic model based off Pujols' 7 year deal and Teixiera's 2 year deal, which reflects years 4 and on. They are the only comparable players in terms of production to Cabrera at a young age. This contract is 98% the value of what Pujols is making, and it basically would run down to this:

 

$6.5, $10, $13.5, $15, $15, $16, $16. option year vesting $16 or $3 buyout. That's 7/$95 or 8/$108. Your 3 year projection is probably accurate if they idiotically go year to year, but your 6 year is underestimating (it's greater then $4 if you look at my numbers because you'd assume higher annual salaries, an option year, and/or a buyout. Distancing yourself with a 7-8 year deal is the only way to make a savings with a player like Cabrera because you really need to dish out the contract value over a number of seasons). Cabrera is not taking a severe hometown discount, make no mistake on this. A contract like this would fiscally be an absolute win for the Marlins because it would save probably about $10-12 over the life of it, and likewise for Cabrera because he gets that long term security he needs right now with only sacrificing around 10% of "real market" value. Cabrera has a lot more bargaining power now, and he flat out doesn't need to accept anything less. Would have been a lot easier to give him a 5/$22 deal after 2004, but hey. Beinfest likes year to year so we all have to suffer now.

don't have a problem with the whole paying for performance strategy the Marlins use... make them earn their checks.. make them work harder

You do this to Dan Uggla, Josh Willingham, and Mike Jacobs who are older and do not project to be vastly productive 5-6 years down the road to warrant a substantial buyout. You make them earn it and discuss a contract after years 3 and 4 if they prove to stick. Likewise, you do it to Taylor Tankersly and Ricky Nolasco as well because they are volatile young pitchers who may well be very good, but they are not centerpiece players you can afford to go year to year with.

 

You make Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, and Jeremy Hermida prove it in 2007 before considering a 4 year buyout because they are all younger and have above average regular to potential all star potential that you'd like to get that undervalued if possible.

 

You absolutely do not do this to Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, and Hanley Ramirez. No explanation needed.

 

I can also make an argument that players are happier when they know they are wanted and taken care of versus making them "earn" it. There shouldn't be a very general "paying for performance" strategy. There are different types of players that need to be accommodated in different ways.

I hereby nominate Marlinslou to take over as GM for the Florida Marlins.

Wes Helms is NECESSARY to have back. PLEASE OFFER HIM A FAIR AMOUNT ! That is all I ask.

With the need to lock him up early and only the promise of a backup or platoon role available, the Marlins will likely have to offer him more than a fair amount.

 

 

Also, one additional thing the Tampa and Oakland models have: relative stability of the franchise. They know where they're going to be in year 3 of that 5+-year contract. They know roughly what kind of team they're going to have and what financial resources available. As said previously, you can count on there being no long-term deals without the long-term stability a profitable stadium situation provides.