October 21, 200322 yr Now here's an article that'll raise your eyebrows. link Pudge to stay? Sides optimistic By Mike Berardino Posted October 21 2003 Despite a remarkable postseason run that could significantly improve his bargaining power this winter, Pudge Rodriguez might not be a rent-a-catcher after all. Recent conversations with Rodriguez, members of the Marlins organization and other industry sources indicate both sides are more hopeful than ever the 10-time All-Star catcher will return to South Florida next season. According to sources, the Marlins have held internal discussions regarding a three-year offer in the $21 million range for Rodriguez, who can apply for free agency after the World Series. The Marlins hold an exclusive negotiating window for the first 10 days after the season. While that figure might seem to be on the low side after his seasonlong resurgence, Rodriguez has made no secret of how much he has enjoyed playing close to his Miami home and spending so much in-season time with his family. "As far as an agreement is concerned, the Marlins have two major things in their favor," said a National League source. "One is Pudge has had a very nice career and made a lot of money. Two, he loves being home." Rodriguez, 31, signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Marlins in January after turning down a three-year, $21 million offer from Baltimore. Because the Rodriguez contract is heavily deferred, the net present value is $9.32 million. It also helps that Marlins attendance has skyrocketed during the postseason. A 2004 payroll that was expected to be in the $55 million range now could rise above $60 million, team sources said. Retaining the current group would cost the Marlins about $90 million next year. That would represent a $40 million jump in payroll. "Pudge seems comfortable and he's playing fabulously," another baseball man said. "Plus the Marlins were the people that stepped up and went against everybody else's thinking. It worked out great, and he's comfortable. How much money do you need in life?" Along those lines, two sources close to the situation said Rodriguez is considering dropping high-powered agent Scott Boras and negotiating his own deal with the Marlins. "I heard he was certainly contemplating doing it himself," one National League club executive said. "If you're the Marlins, that's just less headaches you've got to put up with." Rodriguez, a source said, was not pleased with Boras' recent comments in which the agent appeared to be taking credit for the catcher's resurgence. Boras, who replaced the fired Jeff Moorad in mid-June, insisted he was doing nothing of the sort.? Asked about Boras before Sunday's game at Yankee Stadium, Rodriguez said he was still with the agent. When asked if he planned to fire Boras and represent himself in negotiations, Rodriguez smiled broadly. "That's why I have an agent," he said. "So he can do it for me." That's not what happened six years ago in Texas. Upset with rumors the Rangers were about to trade him to the New York Yankees for a package that included catcher Jorge Posada and pitcher Tony Armas Jr., Rodriguez marched into the office of Rangers President Tom Schieffer and worked out a five-year, $42 million extension. As part of his agreement with the Marlins, Rodriguez cannot be offered salary arbitration by the Dec. 8 deadline for free agents. That means if the Marlins don't get a deal done by that date, they can't re-sign Rodriguez until May 1.? Baltimore and San Diego figure to be among the prime bidders should he hit the open market. "It's something I think the Marlins have to do," said former catcher Jim Leyritz, who teamed with Rodriguez in Texas in 1997. "Living down there [in Plantation] myself, being a fan, if you lose that guy, you lose the franchise. This guy has come in and he has saved this franchise." Leyritz, doing television analysis for MSG Network during the World Series, said it's a simple matter of compromise.? "Talking to Pudge and being around, he wants to come back," Leyritz said. "All the things I hear from ownership, they want him back. Now it's just a matter of putting their heads together and doing it." Mike Berardino can be reached at mberardino@sun-sentinel.com. Staff writers Juan C. Rodriguez and Dave Hyde contributed this report. Whoa.... Don't want to get ahead of ourselves here, but..... wow. (I disagree with Jim Leyritz's comment though that "if you lose that guy, you lose the franchise." I just don't think it's true at all.)
October 21, 200322 yr I keep hearing over and over that Pudge does really want to stay. I think he will b/c as stated in the article, he likes playing here in Miami since he's closer to home and he spends more time with his family. He's already willing to take a pay cut so he can stay, so I've heard. In my opinion, if we keep Pudge, it'll be great for the Marlins. If we lose him, there is a chance that attendance may drop. So, hopefully, the Marlins do keep him. Plus, I want to keep seeing him play in my home team.
October 21, 200322 yr Good chance he will remain in Fish colors since he wants to remain in S.Florida and take less money.Pudge your the man for not being greedy.
October 21, 200322 yr Good chance he will remain in Fish colors since he wants to remain in S.Florida and take less money.Pudge your the man for not being greedy. That is one the major factors as to why I admire him so much. Family comes before the big bucks! Way to go, Pudge! :thumbup
October 21, 200322 yr That is what a TRUE baseball man is all about!! The man loves the city, he loves this team and he is willing to do whatever it takes to remain here! Got to admire a man who does that!
October 21, 200322 yr Wow.....I'm definitley glad to hear that. Wonder what we can get for Castro.....
October 21, 200322 yr One thing Mike didn't include in his reasons to stay - there's no state income tax in Florida. As for Castro and Redmond, Mike is a free agent, Castro isn't. On the otherhand, God knows what's going to happen to Castro in his court case.
October 21, 200322 yr Don't think I've ever heard this said in baseball before It worked out great, and he's comfortable. How much money do you need in life?"
October 21, 200322 yr Author well let's not get ahead of ourselves yet.... they're just early initial discussions. and keep in mind that signing Pudge instead of going with Castro may mean that the team takes a hit somewhere else. A starting pitcher or maybe an Encarnacion or something. Obviously I'd rather have Pudge than a lot of other players, but it's clearly another challenge for Beinfest & Co. to try & keep as much talent as possible. Go Marlins!
October 21, 200322 yr Let's face it, no Pudge, no stadium deal, it's as simple as that. As much as Jeff Conine owns the title "Mr. Marlin", and to a great degree deservedly so, Pudge has become the true Mr. Marlin, he typifies everything good (and Latin) about the Fish and Miami. God, I want to see Pudge go into the Hall of Fame in a Marlins uniform! Go Fish !
October 21, 200322 yr Author even if they lose a player or two (Castillo and/or Lee in particular), keeping Pudge long-term would be a HUGE message of committment to the fans & community. I agree with JBurque, that's a boost to people who are on the fence about buying season tickets.
October 21, 200322 yr Let's face it, no Pudge, no stadium deal, it's as simple as that. As much as Jeff Conine owns the title "Mr. Marlin", and to a great degree deservedly so, Pudge has become the true Mr. Marlin, he typifies everything good (and Latin) about the Fish and Miami. God, I want to see Pudge go into the Hall of Fame in a Marlins uniform! Go Fish ! I agree!!
October 21, 200322 yr If Pudge doesn't stay, especially considering how bright this teams future is, I would be absoloutely shocked.
October 21, 200322 yr I know this thread probably isn't the best place to post this thought but... AJ has been with the team virtually all summer, in uniform, right there cheering all the guys on. One has to assume that any hard feelings between him and Marlin's management has disappeared, and you can just imagine Beckett and AJ with Pudge catching in 2004, something no one expected in April with a rent-a-catcher and a guy having Tommy John after lambasting the ownwrship, all I can say is WOW!!! Trade Jack is right, winning is fun and fun is winning. Go Fish !
October 21, 200322 yr Especially since Pudge and Ugi enjoy kissing each other!! In all seriousness, I think that the kiss showed how genuine this team is --- that was simply sheer emotion and something I have never seen before and something that will probably be rarely seen again.
October 21, 200322 yr God, I want to see Pudge go into the Hall of Fame in a Marlins uniform! If he wins a WS ring this year, stays here another 3 seasons and finsishs out his career in Florida, VERY likely. I wouldn't be suprised if Sheffield went into the HOF as a Marlin as well (if he were inducted). My only question is: JUST how high is Loria going to raise the payroll next year?
October 21, 200322 yr God, I want to see Pudge go into the Hall of Fame in a Marlins uniform! If he wins a WS ring this year, stays here another 3 seasons and finsishs out his career in Florida, VERY likely. I wouldn't be suprised if Sheffield went into the HOF as a Marlin as well (if he were inducted). i did not just read that... how teal blinded are you? my god man :banghead
October 21, 200322 yr i did not just read that... how teal blinded are you? my god man :banghead He could pull a Clemens and say outright, "I want to be inducted as a Marlin." I know it's no longer up to the player, but still.
October 21, 200322 yr but the Rangers didnt tell Pudge is career was over.... come on WC, you have no clue what you are talking about
October 21, 200322 yr Author God, I want to see Pudge go into the Hall of Fame in a Marlins uniform! If he wins a WS ring this year, stays here another 3 seasons and finsishs out his career in Florida, VERY likely. I wouldn't be suprised if Sheffield went into the HOF as a Marlin as well (if he were inducted). My only question is: JUST how high is Loria going to raise the payroll next year? well the article speculated that they could go at least to around 60 million.... anything over that would be a stretch. remember he's got a stadium to save up for.
October 21, 200322 yr and.... he is saving for a certain RF from the Expos whose name starts with Vlad and ends with Guerrero... :shifty
October 21, 200322 yr Pudge can play more years than just five. He can play another ten, albeit not at catcher, but he can play second of outfield for many years to come after his days behind the plate are over.
October 21, 200322 yr and.... he is saving for a certain RF from the Expos whose name starts with Vlad and ends with Guerrero... :shifty Do the marlins have a realistic shot at signing him?!
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