Posted October 31, 200717 yr MIAMI -- The formalities continue as Aaron Boone became the second Marlins player in two days to formally file for free agency. The 34-year-old infielder is one of three Marlins eligible to file for free agency. On Monday, reliever Armando Benitez made himself eligible for free agency on the first day of filing. Byung-Hyun Kim, who is represented by Scott Boras, is the only remaining player expected to officially file from the 2007 Florida squad. While Boone has taken the first step in being a free agent, he has expressed interest in returning to the Marlins. Already, his agent, Adam Katz, has had some preliminary discussions with the front office. The Marlins have the exclusive negotiating rights for Boone and Benitez until Nov. 12. If deals aren't reached by then, both would be free to talk with all 30 Major League teams. Boone appeared in 69 games, and batted .286 in 189 at-bats. He finished with five home runs, including a grand slam at Tampa Bay, and 28 RBIs. But his season was cut short after he twisted his left knee on June 24 against the Twins. He didn't play the rest of the season. On Sept. 4, Boone underwent a left knee scope. While he missed the entire second half, he is expected to be at full strength at the start of Spring Training. Boone became Florida's regular first baseman for about a month after Mike Jacobs went on the disabled list with a fractured right thumb in May. A career third baseman, Boone entered 2007 having never played first base at the big league level. Yet, he was signed to be a spot starter and defensive replacement at first base. He ended up making 46 starts at first. Link Would love to see him back in teal.
October 31, 200717 yr I don't know how I missed it but I never realized Kim was represented by the devil. And as for Boone, I'd like a healthy Aaron Boone back, but that remains to be seen.
October 31, 200717 yr Boone's the one guy I'm really on the fence about. I'd like Kim back, and I'd probably like Benitez back, if for no other reason than I think his presence allows (forces?) Beinfest to grow a pair with some of the bullpen arms and go see if we can get a centerfielder for a Gregg/Gardner package. Boone, I love as a guy, but can we, as a notoriously cheap organization, justify $1 mil for a "good guy" and not much more? He's been an increasing injury risk, and can a team with a thin bench even with Boone justify an injury risk as its primary bench option? At the same time, when he's healthy, he probably hits more like a $2-2.5 million player than a $1 million guy. This is one decision I wouldn't want to make, unless the Marlins decide to spend some more and make it an easier decision. At a million or less, he's definitely worth the risk to any team other than us or Tampa Bay.
October 31, 200717 yr I'd love Aaron Boone back. He provided a solid bat and was an excellent replacement for Jacobs when he was hurt. A much needed veteran in my opinion.
October 31, 200717 yr With our CF situation a complete mess, Ross could possibly be starting and we'll need a handy bat off the bench. Hope Boone returns as well.
October 31, 200717 yr I would love to seen Boone back as well. I think he did an excellent job this year coming off the bench and filling in for Jacobs all things considered. Granted he is an increasing liability but at this point I think he absolutely should be signed.
October 31, 200717 yr Will we ever be able to count on Boone for a full season? I like the guy. He plays D and hits as well but those injuries....I would like him back as well
October 31, 200717 yr Why is BK Kim a Scott Boras client? Not even Bor-ass can get him a big deal. As for Aaron Boone: Sign him. We need the hottest wife in baseball to stay with the Fish.
October 31, 200717 yr I would like to see Boone back but not at the expense of upgrading other positions , it is funny for most teams the amount of money needed to siogn boone would be an after thought and would not affect roster upgrades in anyway
October 31, 200717 yr Theres no doubt about it that having depth is important. Boone can provide a solid bat off the bench and for spot starts. Plus even if he gets $1 million this season, is that going to cripple us in our quest to get a better CF'er or C?
October 31, 200717 yr He was also a huge part of our clubhouse in that leadership role... He's worth a million bucks.
October 31, 200717 yr we got plenty of guys who can take over for Boone it would be nice for him to come back but if he wants anything over $1mil, let him go elsewhere
October 31, 200717 yr we got plenty of guys who can take over for Boone Who? heh... first of all, he had a much better year than I thought but anyway, I'm fairly confident guys like Scott Seabol and Val Pascucci could do a solid job, while playing multiple positions
October 31, 200717 yr we got plenty of guys who can take over for Boone Who? heh... first of all, he had a much better year than I thought but anyway, I'm fairly confident guys like Scott Seabol and Val Pascucci could do a solid job, while playing multiple positions And I believe that's mostly due to small sample size...his walk rates were way above career average, .baa way above career average, and hasn't had an ISO this high since 2003. So the three things that comes to hitting (Hitting for AVG, eye, and power) were all above what you would expect out of him. And even looking on the outsie of the org, there's plenty of 1y/1m guys on the FA market...well, a lot of the better ones are Left handed so if they're looking for a RH platoon bat then that lowers the list but I really hope they don't do that... another 1m/1y of Boone would be nice though...
October 31, 200717 yr Boone and a solid 5th OF will make our bench pretty good. If we can keep guys like Ross and Boone as backups / platoon guys rather than starters due to injury
October 31, 200717 yr would simply LOVE to have Boone back and due to that injury I think he would still come really, really cheap
October 31, 200717 yr we got plenty of guys who can take over for Boone Who? heh... first of all, he had a much better year than I thought but anyway, I'm fairly confident guys like Scott Seabol and Val Pascucci could do a solid job, while playing multiple positions Yeah, but remember the way injuries hit us hard last year and Booney was able to pick up the slack at first. I want at least one guy on our bench who, if injuries hit, can play every day for at least 15 days. And I'd rather have Boone as my safety net than Seabol or Pascucci (providing there isn't a large difference in salary).
November 1, 200717 yr would simply LOVE to have Boone back and due to that injury I think he would still come really, really cheap Still had a pretty damn good year at the plate and he's always been a good defender. Like Ramp said, if he demands anything over $1 mil, let him go. Seabol had a .300/.366/.577/.943, 30+ HR, 100+ RBI season in Albuquerque. I really liked what I saw out of him last spring. Would be awesome to see him contend for the job if Boone goes.
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