The Marlins know they won't be able to re-sign everyone this winter, so Juan Encarnacion figures to be one of the first to go.

Encarnacion made $3.45 million this year and would probably get about $5 million in arbitration, so he should be an easy cut. If the Marlins keep both Derrek Lee and Mike Lowell, Miguel Cabrera could take over Encarnacion in right field. However, even after letting Encarnacion go, the Marlins still might have to trade either Lee or Lowee, especially if they re-sign Ivan Rodriguez. Source: Miami Herald

Making some space for the sheff.

Sheff is going for the money, not for the ring

 

he already stated this

Lee over Encarnacion? I don't like it but how about getting rid of both and going after vlad.

I'm tired of all the Vladimir Guerrero talk. If we sign him, it'll eat A LOT of salary we could use for two or maybe three players. He was injured this last season and didn't put up great numbers. There are teams that can offer him A LOT moremoney and I would rather keep Nacion.

I'm tired of all the Vladimir Guerrero talk. If we sign him, it'll eat A LOT of salary we could use for two or maybe three players. He was injured this last season and didn't put up great numbers. There are teams that can offer him A LOT moremoney and I would rather keep Nacion.

Baseball economic have change somewhat.Teams will think twice about offering large contracts to player and Vlad stock is down somewhat because of the injury.I bet he would love to play in Miami which is what 2 hours from DR?

 

Back on topic...

 

I would rather keep Encarnacio over Lee.

Sheff is going for the money, not for the ring

 

 

 

Players go for two things in their careers: Money and Rings. Sheff has the ring, now all thats left is the money.

sad, isnt it?

you only get rid of enc if vlad replaces him. if we dont sign vlad, then enc better stay no matter what. i dont wanna see him hit 35 for somebody else.

why is it necessary that we trade a starting pitcher? i don't think they'll have to. maybe if AJ comes back, but only if & when that happens.

yea and the yr he got the ring he was a sorryaass slacker to

Possibly lost:

Rodriguez

I dont think we will lose him.. BTW : Ramp i been saying that ( todd to the fish ) but everyone says that not a good idea, i love ur avatar

The Marlins CAN let Pudge Leave and go after Vlad, while using a Castro/Willingham at Catcher.

The Marlins CAN let Pudge Leave and go after Vlad, while using a Castro/Willingham at Catcher.

What the hell is wrong with you ? Let go Pudge ? are you crazy he a HUGE part of why we won the championship

Castillo has publicly stated during the playoff hunt that he wants a multiyear contract because he wants the security of knowing he will be part of this team no matter what.

 

Most of the players in the marlins are not looking for the big bucks ( 8, 9 mil a year) but looking for security of their stay. i wont be surprised if we have many multiyear deals going on cause thats what many of them are looking for

 

Castillo could be affordable in a 5-6 mil a year for 3 years contract.

 

I have a feeling the ownership will be making lots of profits during the next 2-3 years

PUDGE=MAN

Wednesday, October 29, 2003

 

 

By Jerry Crasnick

ESPN Insider

 

Vladimir Guerrero has five tools and an aura of mystery after playing seven years in front of empty seats in Montreal. Greg Maddux goes on the market with those always-desirable Cy Young comparisons and, if history is a guide, a bound-and-collated presentation by Scott Boras.

 

Gary Sheffield still turns on the best fastballs at age 35. Javy Lopez set a record for homers by a catcher this season. Miguel Tejada won an MVP award for Oakland in 2002. Andy Pettitte and Bartolo Colon each have 20-win seasons on their r?sum?s, and Kevin Millwood has won 18 games twice, even if most teams don't believe he's an ace for a team with championship aspirations.

 

Need a closer? Keith Foulke, Eddie Guardado and Ugueth Urbina are on the menu, with the requisite portfolios-by-Rolaids. Potential suitors just have to determine how valuable a "save" really is.

 

While this year's free-agent crop isn't the strongest in memory, it has enough star appeal to get by. But the action isn't always confined to All-Stars. Several players a notch or two below the big names will attract plenty of interest. Here's a list of 12 second- or even third-tier free agents whose agents will be busy boys:

 

LaTroy Hawkins

 

 

 

HawkinsHawkins was a bust when the Minnesota Twins handed him their closer's job two years ago. The common sentiment is that he lacks the makeup, if not the stuff, to finish games. But Hawkins put himself back on the map as a setup man in 2002 and was a model of efficiency pitching in front of Guardado this season. Try 75 strikeouts and 15 walks in 77 1/3 innings.

One AL front-office man says Hawkins might be wise to pursue a short-term deal as a closer for a non-contender, then go back on the market at a higher price. But the consensus is he's better suited to pitching the eighth and handing the ball over to, say, Mariano Rivera in the ninth.

 

Hawkins' name will come up this winter when a certain AL East contender holds its organizational meetings in Tampa. "It's always good to have the Yankees set your value," said an AL assistant GM. Just ask Steve Karsay.

 

Mike Cameron

 

 

 

CameronCameron made $15.5 million over three years in his last contract with Seattle. Two front-office men said he can expect three years and about $20 million this time around, because he's got some pop and plays an incredible defensive center field. "Everybody talks about Torii Hunter, but Cameron might be better," said one.

Cameron stunk offensively at Safeco Field, but he wasn't alone: Even Edgar Martinez hit .248 at home and .339 on the road this season. True, Cameron is a strikeout machine. But he steals bases and will get on-base at a .350 clip or thereabouts. He might thrive in a different park.

 

Kelvim Escobar

 

 

 

EscobarEscobar, a groundball pitcher, was 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA on grass this season, and 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA on turf. Most of the carnage was inflicted at SkyDome in Toronto. You have to figure he'll be better post-rug.

Scouts say Escobar has three above-average major-league pitches. While he did some closing in Toronto, he's better suited to starting, because it allows him to use his entire assortment. He's also prone to bouts of wildness out of the bullpen. "He's inconsistent," said an NL scout. "But his stuff is plenty good."

 

Shannon Stewart

 

 

 

StewartESPN.com's Jayson Stark picked Stewart as his AL Most Valuable Player, but reviews on Stewart as a free agent are mixed.

Baseball people love Stewart's positive attitude, competitiveness and ability to work a count. He hits righties and lefties, and has the potential to bat first, second or third in the order. But the Blue Jays found a limited market for him when they traded him to the Twins for Bobby Kielty in July. It remains to be seen if 2? special months will change the perception of Stewart.

 

"He's not real good defensively," said an AL assistant GM. "He can't throw at all. He runs pretty well, but he doesn't steal bases anymore. And I'm not sure how much teams will pay for a corner guy who doesn't hit home runs."

Luis Castillo

 

 

 

CastilloSeveral teams that were hot on Castillo's trail cooled on him considerably in the postseason, when he took a lot of bad hacks on hard stuff in the dirt. Potential suitors also have to consider his penchant for getting thrown out on the bases; Castillo was successful on only 21 of 40 steal attempts this season. That's downright awful.

But Castillo did hit .314 with an on-base percentage of .381, and he's a terrific defensive second baseman. While Boston's Todd Walker should also generate interest, Castillo is more the classic middle infield solution, with his ability to bat leadoff, score 100 runs and turn a double play.

Miguel Batista

 

 

 

BatistaThe Diamondbacks declined to pick up a $5 million option on Batista, their resident poet laureate, allowing him to become a free agent. Now Batista is likely to be in pretty high demand for a guy who turns 33 in February and has a career record of 42-50.

Teams value Batista for his versatility and resilient arm. He's a serviceable fourth or fifth starter and capable of pitching middle or long relief. "He'll do anything you ask," said a scout. "If you don't think Millwood is a No. 1 or 2, why pay him $10-12 million when you can get this guy for $5 million?"

 

Tom Gordon

 

 

 

Gordon"He's one curveball away from his elbow popping," said a scout. That's the cynical viewpoint. The good news is, Gordon is four years removed from his last Tommy John surgery and looking like a man who's anxious to close again. He pitched three days in a row on two occasions, once in August and September, and closed with a rush: Opponents batted .182 against him after the All-Star break.

Although Gordon is 36, he has the heart and the stuff to close. His curve can be downright unhittable. The Phillies are interested in him as a closer, but the overall market will depend on how much money he wants. Given his age and medical history and the glut of free-agent closers this winter, Gordon might have to settle for less than he'd prefer.

 

John Thomson

 

 

 

ThomsonOther than a nine-start cameo with the Mets in 2002, Thomson has spent his entire career working in pitchers' graveyards in Colorado and Texas. He signed with the Rangers last year, because he wanted to be close to home in Louisiana, and went 13-14 in 217 innings for Buck Showalter. That was a heck of a lot better than Chan Ho Park and Ismael Valdes.

Thomson's fastball can be pretty straight, but baseball people will always be intrigued by a 6-3, 200-pounder who throws 90-plus. "Stuff-wise, there's a lot to like," said an AL executive.

 

Shigetoshi Hasegawa

 

 

 

HasegawaHasegawa converted 16 of 17 save opportunities as Kaz Sasaki's fill-in last year in Seattle. Although he has setup man's stuff, he's shown he has the fortitude to close games.

Hasegawa benefited from pitching in a big park in front of a defense with several Gold Glove-caliber players in Seattle. He might be a nice fit for a team that doesn't want to spend the money on a Foulke or a Guardado. But the feeling in baseball circles is that he's comfortable in Seattle and would like to remain a Mariner, or at least stay on the West Coast. That could limit his options.

 

Raul Iba?ez

 

 

 

Iba?ezIba?ez, a part-time player in Seattle, broke though in Kansas City after picking up some tips on a visit to Kevin Seitzer's batting school a couple of years ago. He's not cut out for cleanup -- where he spent the bulk of time with Kansas City this year -- but could be a serviceable corner outfielder for a team that's content with 20 homers and 35 doubles rather than 35-40 home runs.

One American League front-office man estimates that Iba?ez will get two years and $8 million, or even three and $13 million if the bidding gets hot. Reggie Sanders still looks like a one-year rental, even after hitting 31 homers in Pittsburgh, and Iba?ez is more attractive than Jose Guillen, who can't shake a reputation for being immature and a problem in the clubhouse. "Guillen is a Grade A knucklehead," said another AL executive.

 

Joe Randa

 

 

 

RandaRanda is a solid, professional guy who (pause for clich?) is great in the clubhouse. It's no wonder the Royals want to keep him. In five years with Kansas City, Randa has averaged 85 RBI a year. He closed with a rush last year, hitting .344 after the All-Star break. He turns 34 in December and might be a tick below average in the field, but he benefits from the fact that third base is a position of need for so many clubs.

It's also not a strong crop this year, with Vinny Castilla, Robin Ventura and Tony Batista among the third basemen looking for jobs. "Randa is in the mold of Bill Mueller or Mark Loretta, who were two of the better bang-for-your-buck signings last year," said an American League executive. So long as he's not the next David Bell.

 

Brian Anderson

 

 

 

AndersonOne AL stat-cruncher dissected Anderson's numbers this year, concluded that his 3.78 ERA was an aberration and predicted he'll be more in line with his career ERA of 4.58 next season. A National League scout, in contrast, called Anderson a "poor man's Jamie Moyer."

Anderson has a flair for keeping a clubhouse loose with his sense of humor, and a knack for immobilizing runners with one of baseball's best pickoff moves. Plant him in the middle of a staff of hard-throwing righties, and he'll throw a few batters' hips out of joint. Anderson won't attract big money. But as a veteran lefty who's not afraid to pitch big games, he'll be a popular choice for teams shopping off the discount rack.

 

Jerry Crasnick has covered baseball for the Cincinnati Post, the Denver Post and Bloomberg News Service. He has joined ESPN Insider as a regular contributor and can be reached via e-mail.

 

 

 

Bold is Players i would go after...

Encarnacion and Castillo are like 80-90% sure they will go. They cant deal with how much they cost. I dont hope since the Mets want castillo that he doesnt go. The Mets are our rivals.....

The Mets are our rivals.....

news to me

I dont mean it that way.

 

I mean they are in our division and i dont want them to get better.

Castillo has publicly stated during the playoff hunt that he wants a multiyear contract because he wants the security of knowing he will be part of this team no matter what.

 

Most of the players in the marlins are not looking for the big bucks ( 8, 9 mil a year) but looking for security of their stay. i wont be surprised if we have many multiyear deals going on cause thats what many of them are looking for

 

Castillo could be affordable in a 5-6 mil a year for 3 years contract.

 

I have a feeling the ownership will be making lots of profits during the next 2-3 years

he PUBlically stated that he wanted 2-3 yrs .. not like 4-5 or anything.. 2 yr contract sounds like a perfect contract marlins can make. say 10 mill for 2 years. sounds good on marlins and castillo side.

Wednesday, October 29, 2003

 

 

By Jerry Crasnick

ESPN Insider

 

Vladimir Guerrero has five tools and an aura of mystery after playing seven years in front of empty seats in Montreal. Greg Maddux goes on the market with those always-desirable Cy Young comparisons and, if history is a guide, a bound-and-collated presentation by Scott Boras.

 

Gary Sheffield still turns on the best fastballs at age 35. Javy Lopez set a record for homers by a catcher this season. Miguel Tejada won an MVP award for Oakland in 2002. Andy Pettitte and Bartolo Colon each have 20-win seasons on their r?sum?s, and Kevin Millwood has won 18 games twice, even if most teams don't believe he's an ace for a team with championship aspirations.

 

Need a closer? Keith Foulke, Eddie Guardado and Ugueth Urbina are on the menu, with the requisite portfolios-by-Rolaids. Potential suitors just have to determine how valuable a "save" really is.

 

While this year's free-agent crop isn't the strongest in memory, it has enough star appeal to get by. But the action isn't always confined to All-Stars. Several players a notch or two below the big names will attract plenty of interest. Here's a list of 12 second- or even third-tier free agents whose agents will be busy boys:

 

LaTroy Hawkins

 

 

 

HawkinsHawkins was a bust when the Minnesota Twins handed him their closer's job two years ago. The common sentiment is that he lacks the makeup, if not the stuff, to finish games. But Hawkins put himself back on the map as a setup man in 2002 and was a model of efficiency pitching in front of Guardado this season. Try 75 strikeouts and 15 walks in 77 1/3 innings.

One AL front-office man says Hawkins might be wise to pursue a short-term deal as a closer for a non-contender, then go back on the market at a higher price. But the consensus is he's better suited to pitching the eighth and handing the ball over to, say, Mariano Rivera in the ninth.

 

Hawkins' name will come up this winter when a certain AL East contender holds its organizational meetings in Tampa. "It's always good to have the Yankees set your value," said an AL assistant GM. Just ask Steve Karsay.

 

Mike Cameron

 

 

 

CameronCameron made $15.5 million over three years in his last contract with Seattle. Two front-office men said he can expect three years and about $20 million this time around, because he's got some pop and plays an incredible defensive center field. "Everybody talks about Torii Hunter, but Cameron might be better," said one.

Cameron stunk offensively at Safeco Field, but he wasn't alone: Even Edgar Martinez hit .248 at home and .339 on the road this season. True, Cameron is a strikeout machine. But he steals bases and will get on-base at a .350 clip or thereabouts. He might thrive in a different park.

 

Kelvim Escobar

 

 

 

EscobarEscobar, a groundball pitcher, was 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA on grass this season, and 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA on turf. Most of the carnage was inflicted at SkyDome in Toronto. You have to figure he'll be better post-rug.

Scouts say Escobar has three above-average major-league pitches. While he did some closing in Toronto, he's better suited to starting, because it allows him to use his entire assortment. He's also prone to bouts of wildness out of the bullpen. "He's inconsistent," said an NL scout. "But his stuff is plenty good."

 

Shannon Stewart

 

 

 

StewartESPN.com's Jayson Stark picked Stewart as his AL Most Valuable Player, but reviews on Stewart as a free agent are mixed.

Baseball people love Stewart's positive attitude, competitiveness and ability to work a count. He hits righties and lefties, and has the potential to bat first, second or third in the order. But the Blue Jays found a limited market for him when they traded him to the Twins for Bobby Kielty in July. It remains to be seen if 2? special months will change the perception of Stewart.

 

"He's not real good defensively," said an AL assistant GM. "He can't throw at all. He runs pretty well, but he doesn't steal bases anymore. And I'm not sure how much teams will pay for a corner guy who doesn't hit home runs."

Luis Castillo

 

 

 

CastilloSeveral teams that were hot on Castillo's trail cooled on him considerably in the postseason, when he took a lot of bad hacks on hard stuff in the dirt. Potential suitors also have to consider his penchant for getting thrown out on the bases; Castillo was successful on only 21 of 40 steal attempts this season. That's downright awful.

But Castillo did hit .314 with an on-base percentage of .381, and he's a terrific defensive second baseman. While Boston's Todd Walker should also generate interest, Castillo is more the classic middle infield solution, with his ability to bat leadoff, score 100 runs and turn a double play.

Miguel Batista

 

 

 

BatistaThe Diamondbacks declined to pick up a $5 million option on Batista, their resident poet laureate, allowing him to become a free agent. Now Batista is likely to be in pretty high demand for a guy who turns 33 in February and has a career record of 42-50.

Teams value Batista for his versatility and resilient arm. He's a serviceable fourth or fifth starter and capable of pitching middle or long relief. "He'll do anything you ask," said a scout. "If you don't think Millwood is a No. 1 or 2, why pay him $10-12 million when you can get this guy for $5 million?"

 

Tom Gordon

 

 

 

Gordon"He's one curveball away from his elbow popping," said a scout. That's the cynical viewpoint. The good news is, Gordon is four years removed from his last Tommy John surgery and looking like a man who's anxious to close again. He pitched three days in a row on two occasions, once in August and September, and closed with a rush: Opponents batted .182 against him after the All-Star break.

Although Gordon is 36, he has the heart and the stuff to close. His curve can be downright unhittable. The Phillies are interested in him as a closer, but the overall market will depend on how much money he wants. Given his age and medical history and the glut of free-agent closers this winter, Gordon might have to settle for less than he'd prefer.

 

John Thomson

 

 

 

ThomsonOther than a nine-start cameo with the Mets in 2002, Thomson has spent his entire career working in pitchers' graveyards in Colorado and Texas. He signed with the Rangers last year, because he wanted to be close to home in Louisiana, and went 13-14 in 217 innings for Buck Showalter. That was a heck of a lot better than Chan Ho Park and Ismael Valdes.

Thomson's fastball can be pretty straight, but baseball people will always be intrigued by a 6-3, 200-pounder who throws 90-plus. "Stuff-wise, there's a lot to like," said an AL executive.

 

Shigetoshi Hasegawa

 

 

 

HasegawaHasegawa converted 16 of 17 save opportunities as Kaz Sasaki's fill-in last year in Seattle. Although he has setup man's stuff, he's shown he has the fortitude to close games.

Hasegawa benefited from pitching in a big park in front of a defense with several Gold Glove-caliber players in Seattle. He might be a nice fit for a team that doesn't want to spend the money on a Foulke or a Guardado. But the feeling in baseball circles is that he's comfortable in Seattle and would like to remain a Mariner, or at least stay on the West Coast. That could limit his options.

 

Raul Iba?ez

 

 

 

Iba?ezIba?ez, a part-time player in Seattle, broke though in Kansas City after picking up some tips on a visit to Kevin Seitzer's batting school a couple of years ago. He's not cut out for cleanup -- where he spent the bulk of time with Kansas City this year -- but could be a serviceable corner outfielder for a team that's content with 20 homers and 35 doubles rather than 35-40 home runs.

One American League front-office man estimates that Iba?ez will get two years and $8 million, or even three and $13 million if the bidding gets hot. Reggie Sanders still looks like a one-year rental, even after hitting 31 homers in Pittsburgh, and Iba?ez is more attractive than Jose Guillen, who can't shake a reputation for being immature and a problem in the clubhouse. "Guillen is a Grade A knucklehead," said another AL executive.

 

Joe Randa

 

 

 

RandaRanda is a solid, professional guy who (pause for clich?) is great in the clubhouse. It's no wonder the Royals want to keep him. In five years with Kansas City, Randa has averaged 85 RBI a year. He closed with a rush last year, hitting .344 after the All-Star break. He turns 34 in December and might be a tick below average in the field, but he benefits from the fact that third base is a position of need for so many clubs.

It's also not a strong crop this year, with Vinny Castilla, Robin Ventura and Tony Batista among the third basemen looking for jobs. "Randa is in the mold of Bill Mueller or Mark Loretta, who were two of the better bang-for-your-buck signings last year," said an American League executive. So long as he's not the next David Bell.

 

Brian Anderson

 

 

 

AndersonOne AL stat-cruncher dissected Anderson's numbers this year, concluded that his 3.78 ERA was an aberration and predicted he'll be more in line with his career ERA of 4.58 next season. A National League scout, in contrast, called Anderson a "poor man's Jamie Moyer."

Anderson has a flair for keeping a clubhouse loose with his sense of humor, and a knack for immobilizing runners with one of baseball's best pickoff moves. Plant him in the middle of a staff of hard-throwing righties, and he'll throw a few batters' hips out of joint. Anderson won't attract big money. But as a veteran lefty who's not afraid to pitch big games, he'll be a popular choice for teams shopping off the discount rack.

 

Jerry Crasnick has covered baseball for the Cincinnati Post, the Denver Post and Bloomberg News Service. He has joined ESPN Insider as a regular contributor and can be reached via e-mail.

 

 

 

Bold is Players i would go after... this espn insider is a fool. thank God i dont pay for that baloni. He talked like if castillo got thrown out because hes getting slower or something. thas not the case. he didnt even mention he was injured for the reason. what an insider? also castillo ran great in the playoffs. those extrad ays proved to work on him. and he hit pretty good except for the WS. its not like he sucked the hole playoff run

 

and what about shanon? were would you put him? RF lLOL with that arm? LF? then what about the defense part? LF you better have a little bit of an arm at least.. because pierres arm is bad. we would be getting no power from CF ANDDD LF and that would be horrible.

I think it's going to be harder than usual to predict possible moves. The climate has changed in MLB and no one is quite sure what is going to happen. However, the Red Sox just put Manny Ramirez on waivers. They didn't even try to trade him. It's just a salary dump for one of the best hitters in the game.

 

GMs are more cautious than ever about getting value, and some of the big money guys are going to be looking for a job. I don't think the owners are as keen on trying to keep up with Steinbrenner as they used to be either. Especially after the Angels, and then the Marlins winning the world series.

 

I think it's very possible that the Marlins will not try to sign any big name players, and probably not even any very established players out of the free agent market. They dont' really need any. They are holding several good trading cards, and if they're smart, they will snap up some top propspects for guys like Encarnacion, and Lee. Then can then play a journeyman type in rightfield. Someone who has occaisional power, maybe left handed, that can play some d. A one year deal like they did with Hollandsworthless.