November 18, 200619 yr http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...ll/16032790.htm BASEBALL | GENERAL MANAGERS' MEETINGS No done deals, but Marlins are listening BY KEVIN BAXTER kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com The Marlins' Admin Beinfest checked out of the Grande Naples Resort a day early Thursday, leaving baseball's general managers' meetings with his hands empty but with at least two trade proposals on the table and a number of ongoing conversations with free agents. The team's primary needs are a starting center fielder and bullpen help, but the reliever market is crowded and expensive, complicating things for the Marlins. ''There's a lot of teams looking for bullpen arms,'' said Beinfest, who refused to comment specifically on any possible deals. ``There's a competitive environment, and we need to be in there. And compete.'' The Marlins did sign one player this week, agreeing to a minor-league contract with outfielder John Gall, who hit .265 in 49 at-bats with the St. Louis Cardinals the past two seasons. ALWAYS WATCHING Beinfest wasn't the only GM who left the meetings early. In fact, after completing their final agenda item early Thursday, all but about a half-dozen general managers headed home rather than trying to continue working in the media spotlight that has come to shine on the GM meetings during the past decade. The annual retreat, where clubs talk about -- but rarely take action on -- a variety of issues while also setting the foundation for trades and free agent signings, used to receive little media coverage. But approximately 100 journalists flooded the lobby of the Grande Naples Resort this year. As a result, many general managers complained privately that it was impossible to have a conversation outside earshot of a reporter, so part of the hotel's ballroom level was roped off and declared off-limits to the media. That provided only temporary relief, however, which at least partly influenced most teams in their decision to pack up and head home. PHILLIES, HELMS AGREE Former Marlin Wes Helms and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a two-year contract, pending a physical scheduled for today. Helms, a free agent who hit a career-high .329 as a backup with the Marlins last season, will be the starting third baseman in Philadelphia, where he could make more than $8 million with a third-year option. ''I loved playing for the Florida Marlins,'' Helms said. ``[but] for me it's about playing every day.'' WINTER LEAGUE REPORT Marlins' left-hander Jason Vargas, utility player Alfredo Amezaga and outfielder Reggie Abercrombie are playing winter ball -- with widely varying results. Vargas, pitching for Escogido of the Dominican winter league, entered Thursday 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in nine innings spread over eight relief appearances. Amezaga had played one game for Obregon in the Mexican Pacific League, going 3 for 5 with three runs scored. Abercrombie, meanwhile, is struggling with Carolina in the Puerto Rican league. Through eight games, he was hitting .182 with a homer and four RBI. Earlier this week, the Marlins gave Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez permission to play for Licey of the Dominican league, and third baseman Miguel Cabrera is expected to join Aragua of the Venezuelan league late next month or in early January.
November 18, 200619 yr "Amezaga had played one game for Obregon in the Mexican Pacific League, going 3 for 5 with three runs scored." what a badass! whats the deal with him next year? arbitration?
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