By Mike Berardino

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

When it comes to stretching a dollar, the Marlins are pretty much the kings of Major League Baseball.

Yet their vaunted front office will have trouble making all (or even most) of the pieces fit this winter.

Eighteen. That?s the potentially record number of arbitration cases they could face once this surprisingly successful season ends, and they embark on perhaps their most painful offseason in three years.

Total cost of retaining all 18 players for 2009 could approach $33 million, a figure the Marlins haven?t reached for their 25-man roster since 2005. Bringing back the most vital contributors from this year?s team could cost $44 million.

Topping the arbitration list are All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla (27 home runs), right-hander Ricky Nolasco (13 wins) and two-year closer Kevin Gregg (29 saves). That trio could see its 2009 haul hit a combined $12 million, with Uggla leading the way at a projected $5 million.

Gregg figures to land in the $4.5 million range, which makes him a likely trade candidate as the Marlins make room for understudy Matt Lindstrom, who won?t be eligible for arbitration for at least another year.

Nolasco, with a projected salary of $2.5 million, is one of three starting pitchers eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Lefty Scott Olsen ($2.6 million projected) could wind up making a bit more than Nolasco based on his durability during the two-year period that will be evaluated.

Josh Johnson, making a successful return from Tommy John surgery, should experience a more modest pay increase, but he still should reach seven figures for the first time.

In all, the Marlins figure to have a dozen players enter the arbitration system for the first time. Others include first baseman Mike Jacobs (25 homers); relievers Doug Waechter, Logan Kensing and Joe Nelson; and their entire starting outfield of Jeremy Hermida, Josh Willingham and Cody Ross.

Jacobs, whose salary could approach $2.5 million off an overall disappointing year, is a trade candidate as the Marlins seek to improve their defense while balancing their books.

Corner infielder Jorge Cantu, a second-time arbitration qualifier, is a candidate to replace Jacobs at first, but only if his salary doesn?t rise too quickly off this comeback season.

Others with four-plus years of service time this winter will be catcher Matt Treanor, super sub Alfredo Amezaga, reliever Justin Miller and injured starter Sergio Mitre. The latter two are among possible non-tenders, meaning the Marlins could choose not to offer them contracts by the December deadline.

If Cantu moves off third, that could open the door for Triple-A third baseman Dallas McPherson, who leads the minors with 40 homers.

Current Marlins under team control for next season include franchise shortstop Hanley Ramirez ($5.5 million); starters Andrew Miller ($1.575 million), Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad; and relievers Renyel Pinto, Lindstrom and Taylor Tankersley.

Sanchez and Volstad should make close to $400,000, next year?s major league minimum, but Andrew Miller could be a lower-cost option to replace one of the three arbitration-eligible starters. Olsen would be a logical trade candidate in that scenario.

Sanchez could regain an additional year of service time if he prevails in an ongoing dispute with the Marlins, but even then he wouldn?t be arbitration eligibility.

Five Marlins can become free agents: reserve outfielder Luis Gonzalez, infielder Wes Helms, backup catcher Paul Lo Duca and lefties Arthur Rhodes and Mark Hendrickson.

?Three key questions

Who?s on first? Do the Marlins pay the $2 million or more it will take to keep Mike Jacobs off a power-laden season, or do they seek to improve defensively by dealing him and installing Jorge Cantu at first?

Rotate left: Four spots in the Marlins? 2009 rotation appear set. The riddle is which lefty to keep at the back end. Will it be Scott Olsen, whose arbitration haul could exceed $2.5 million, or the slow-developing Andrew Miller, who is under contract for $1.575 million next year?

New outfield? All three starting outfielders ? Josh Willingham, Cody Ross and Jeremy Hermida ? are set to enter the arbitration system for the first time. Who will flank super-prospect Cameron Maybin, who should get the first crack in center field?

He's answers his own question(s).

 

Besides Delgado and I believe some additional players $$$ the team paid in 2008, I believe 2009 wipes the slate clean on that front.

 

Mitre and Miller are going to be cut, Hendrickson and probably Gregg released or traded, Maybin will be here so one of the outfielders automatically goes, does anyone really expect Mike Jacobs to be on the Opening Day roster in 2009? The only free agent I would think we would try to sign is Arthur Rhodes. Cody is a good minimum wage player but totally replacable as is Willingham. Both control their own destinies with the Marlins, by having good Septembers and by reaching reasonable compensation agreements with the Marlins. I'm assuming, and perhaps incorrectly, Hermida gets one more chance to shine.

 

The point is it really important to calculate what eighteen players might cost in 2009 when you know perhaps as many as half won't be here MORE FOR THEIR ON-FIELD PERFORMANCES THAN THE MONEY?

 

I just don't see where this is such a big deal

Hopefully reshape the roster a bit. I do think they should also look at revamping the bullpen based on what we all learned this year.

jacobs cut/traded

 

sanchez = 1B next year (logan year afterwards maybe)

 

CF = Maybin next year

 

Mitre =trade bait (people want cheap SP)

Gregg =trade bait

 

should be able to get some nice prospects

 

I think uggla gets moved too if we get the right price (top pitching prospect mostl ikely and another piece)

I disagree about Cody. I think he's a solid player. He's got great power. I want to keep him. Cody! Cody! Cody!

could cleveland be a possible destination for kevin gregg?

 

im only saying this as i know they are in the market for an established closer with brian fuentes being the primary name linked

 

they have some decent young players, especially after the haul they would have received for trading sabathia, blake and byrd

Jacobs, Gregg, Olsen, Willingham, Hendrickson - traded

 

McPherson given a shot at 3b, if he fails Uggla will go to 3rd and Coughlin will get a shot

Cody, if retained, will go to LF and Maybin will be given a shot

hopefully they don't dismantle the team yet another time ... I know it's business and some pieces have to be moved but hopefully they are all not solely based because of the lack of resources

 

players I wouldn't mind moving: Gregg, Jacobs, Hermida (yes I went there)

 

players who I would love to see stay: Uggla, Cantu, Nolasco, Willingham

 

 

the rest of the arby elegible players I could care less if they are let go / stay

Jacobs, Gregg, Olsen, Willingham, Hendrickson - traded

 

McPherson given a shot at 3b, if he fails Uggla will go to 3rd and Coughlin will get a shot

Cody, if retained, will go to LF and Maybin will be given a shot

 

i highly doubt anyone would trade for him

Jacobs, Gregg, Olsen, Willingham, Hendrickson - traded

 

McPherson given a shot at 3b, if he fails Uggla will go to 3rd and Coughlin will get a shot

Cody, if retained, will go to LF and Maybin will be given a shot

 

i highly doubt anyone would trade for him

 

 

He's the type of player that the Marlins would trade for 10 maple bats.

I disagree about Cody. I think he's a solid player. He's got great power. I want to keep him. Cody! Cody! Cody!

 

 

seriously he has looked like our best position player for a few months now

he has great power good contact above avg speed and is a great fielder

we could even keep him in CF next year while maybin learns how to play the wall and the angles in the triangle of death in Left Center

He's answers his own question(s).

 

Besides Delgado and I believe some additional players $$$ the team paid in 2008, I believe 2009 wipes the slate clean on that front.

 

Mitre and Miller are going to be cut, Hendrickson and probably Gregg released or traded, Maybin will be here so one of the outfielders automatically goes, does anyone really expect Mike Jacobs to be on the Opening Day roster in 2009? The only free agent I would think we would try to sign is Arthur Rhodes. Cody is a good minimum wage player but totally replacable as is Willingham. Both control their own destinies with the Marlins, by having good Septembers and by reaching reasonable compensation agreements with the Marlins. I'm assuming, and perhaps incorrectly, Hermida gets one more chance to shine.

 

The point is it really important to calculate what eighteen players might cost in 2009 when you know perhaps as many as half won't be here MORE FOR THEIR ON-FIELD PERFORMANCES THAN THE MONEY?

 

I just don't see where this is such a big deal

Remember before the season when I told you we'd have a huge roster turnover because of financing, and you responded that kind of roster turnover would be crazy from a production standpoint, and then I said it won't matter because our guys our league average anyways and our minor league depth is solid where we will easily be able to replace the production cheaply without taking a step back. It took awhile, but I see you got there!

 

On our current 25 man roster, this all I see coming back

 

Hitters - Baker, Uggla, Hanley, Cantu, Cody, Hermida, Amezaga

Pitchers - Johnson, Nolasco, Anibal, Volstad, Lindstrom, Kensing, Pinto, Nelson

 

And you have to admit, this is pretty shocking for me because I am clearly not a huge Uggla supporter, and I would never have imagined Cantu putting together the year he is having. In a weird sense, I actually feel like I have to DEFEND Uggla now because people are destroying him for this post-slump he is in, and he isn't that bad. But when it comes down to it, this is three years in a row with a crazy XBH rate and consistent walks despite the average, and that is a pattern I can respect versus his more moderate one in the minors. I'm shocked he kept it up, especially in grand fashion before the all star break, but have to give credit due when the production is there. Dude is just going to hit a low/mid .800 OPS no matter how many times he strikes out and looks clueless. I'm done trying to reason against it. (And I personally like your bolding above). I think the Marlins will shop him, but won't take anything less than a Rasmus level package, and I just can't see any organization doing that. As for Cantu, I find it highly doubtful they find a player in FA that can protect both Gaby and McDallas in the infield. I'd keep him just to ease in their transitions, and hopefully we could just trade him at deadline 09 because Gaby and McDallas both translate to .800+ OPS right away. I also wonder if Cantu and especially McDallas could slum in LF a game a week to push the OF a little bit. Same with Cody, the OF version of Cantu. He can protect both Maybin and Raynor in CF and LF. Two perfect guys to help us bridge to the 'youth.'

 

Anyways, I think that is pretty fair when you expect G. Sanchez, McPherson, Maybin, Raynor, Andino/Coghlan (do they bring up Coghlan to sit on the bench? I think they would be content giving 3-5 starts a week each to Cantu, G. Sanchez, and Dallas, and have some sort of weird OF platoon with Cody/Raynor in LF, random off days for Maybin in favor of Cody, and god forbid Hermida keeps being a jerk and he gets into platoonsville also, but I don't think they'd exclusively ride the pine with Coghlan which is what they would have to do with him if they retain Uggla), A. Miller, Owens, Tank, and Waecther/Gardner to be on the team. That is 24 guys, the only thing missing is a catcher which has to be the # 1 priority in the trading flurry, despite how cool Johnny Bake has been with his time up. We'll get some stuff for Jacobs, Willingham, Olsen, and Gregg too. Probably just have to DFA Treanor and Mitre, but it just opens the door to other in house scenarios and literally not having to sign a single player this offseason besides FA minor league pitchers/hitters and have them slum in AAA and see if you hit gold with a J. Miller, Gardner, Nelson, or Waecther again.

 

So to completely agree with you, shocking moment!, I too, just don't see where this is such a big deal. We can lose 10 guys off our 25, and get rid of a bunch others on our 40 man (Nestor, Jai, Hoover, Rabelo, De Aza, Carroll, etc), and not have any pressing worries player personnel wise.

 

This is a pretty balls awesome depth chart for $35 million bucks, and just to recap in list form for those who skim and don't read. (and yes I know Andino sucks, I'm not here to argue that. I'm just presenting the in house team with the logical arbitration defections).

 

C - Baker, Some other Guy

1B - G. Sanchez, Cantu, McPherson

2B - Uggla, Amezaga, Andino

SS - Hanley, Amezaga, Andino

3B - Cantu, McPherson, Amezaga

LF - Cody, Raynor, McPherson

CF - Maybin, Cody, Raynor

RF - Hermida, Cody, Raynor

SP - Johnson, Nolasco, Anibal, Volstad, A. Miller

RP - Lindstrom, Nelson, Pinto, Kensing, Tank, Owens, Waecther/Some other guy

 

AA/AAA Pitchers - Tucker, Cruz, Vanden Hurk, Thompson, Sinkbiel, West, Winters, Leroux, Mobley, G. Taylor, C. Martinez, J. Delgado, Badenhop, and dare I say Allison.

AA/AAA Hitters - Coghlan, Morrison, Petersen, Cousins

 

Plus whatever you get for Jacobs, Willingham, Gregg, and Olsen, and sign to minor league FA for more relievers/bench competition. Killer team on paper doing relatively NOTHING and keeping it IN HOUSE. Phenomenal job by Beinfest. Whatever direction he goes this offseason, whether it's the above or something radically different, we have so much depth at all our slots we're going to be better in 2009 anyway you look at it. Not a big deal Berardino.

idk if they invest 33 million into the current players. I think a lot of them will be gone.

lets just wait and see what happens

 

none of us really know

I may have missed something, but why is Andrew Miller being paid 1.575 million?

I may have missed something, but why is Andrew Miller being paid 1.575 million?

 

 

because its a good bargin for a future ACe

Jacobs, Gregg, Olsen, Willingham, Hendrickson - traded

 

McPherson given a shot at 3b, if he fails Uggla will go to 3rd and Coughlin will get a shot

Cody, if retained, will go to LF and Maybin will be given a shot

 

i highly doubt anyone would trade for him

 

Because you don't recognize his value as a bullpen guy

I may have missed something, but why is Andrew Miller being paid 1.575 million?

 

 

because its a good bargin for a future ACe

 

ok, but why isnt he being paid league minimum? He hasnt even pitched a full season, let alone have three years of service time.

I may have missed something, but why is Andrew Miller being paid 1.575 million?

 

 

because its a good bargin for a future ACe

 

ok, but why isnt he being paid league minimum? He hasnt even pitched a full season, let alone have three years of service time.

 

 

hes not getting it yet hes gonna get it starting next year

I may have missed something, but why is Andrew Miller being paid 1.575 million?

 

 

because its a good bargin for a future ACe

 

ok, but why isnt he being paid league minimum? He hasnt even pitched a full season, let alone have three years of service time.

 

 

hes not getting it yet hes gonna get it starting next year

 

I know, but you still are not understanding my question. what has he done to deserve that? he does not having three years of service time so he is not going to be in arbitration. Cabrera was making a little over the league minimum until he reached arbitration. Hanley made the same for his first three seasons as well. so why is Andrew Miller making 1.575 when his first start in '06 was august 30th, he only made a handful of starts in 2007, and has only played about half the year this year.

Jacobs, Gregg, Olsen, Willingham, Hendrickson - traded

 

McPherson given a shot at 3b, if he fails Uggla will go to 3rd and Coughlin will get a shot

Cody, if retained, will go to LF and Maybin will be given a shot

 

i highly doubt anyone would trade for him

 

Because you don't recognize his value as a bullpen guy

 

well apparently the marlins never saw this bullpen value when they signed him for this year either

 

i think he has done a solid job since being moved to the pen, as i have stated in past threads

 

however i still envision some team wanting him as a starter next season for some reason rather than a full time reliever

I may have missed something, but why is Andrew Miller being paid 1.575 million?

 

 

because its a good bargin for a future ACe

 

ok, but why isnt he being paid league minimum? He hasnt even pitched a full season, let alone have three years of service time.

 

 

hes not getting it yet hes gonna get it starting next year

 

I know, but you still are not understanding my question. what has he done to deserve that? he does not having three years of service time so he is not going to be in arbitration. Cabrera was making a little over the league minimum until he reached arbitration. Hanley made the same for his first three seasons as well. so why is Andrew Miller making 1.575 when his first start in '06 was august 30th, he only made a handful of starts in 2007, and has only played about half the year this year.

 

 

hes had some very good starts and showed very good stuff his main issue is his control which was awful at times so after he recoverd from his injury we sent him ti AA where hes progresed and had great numbers.

but idk why hes getting over the minimum thats The Manegements decsiion but if they sign him for that price for 5 years it would be a great move

is this the reason miller is making more than the minimum:

 

He was drafted again in 2006, this time 6th overall by the Detroit Tigers, and agreed to a contract with a guaranteed value of $5.45 million and a signing bonus of $3.55 million on August 4, 2006.

is this the reason miller is making more than the minimum:

 

He was drafted again in 2006, this time 6th overall by the Detroit Tigers, and agreed to a contract with a guaranteed value of $5.45 million and a signing bonus of $3.55 million on August 4, 2006.

 

 

probably

hes had some very good starts and showed very good stuff his main issue is his control which was awful at times so after he recoverd from his injury we sent him ti AA where hes progresed and had great numbers.

but idk why hes getting over the minimum thats The Manegements decsiion but if they sign him for that price for 5 years it would be a great move

 

 

The reason why he's making more than the league minimum (which Schnellders pretty much already said), is that all rookies are signed to bigger contracts once they are drafted. Then, once their original contract expires, they recieve a new one, that one usually being a little more than the league minimum. After the second one expires, or sometimes in the middle of it, the player goes up for arbitration. Thats the point where the Marlins have traded many of their players in the past.

 

I'm not sure if Miller deserves a long-term contract though. AA is very different from the big leagues. He's barely pitched in the MLB, and when he has, he hasn't been too good.

 

If any young pitcher deserves a long-term contract, I think its Volstad. He's our future ace.