http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla

 

MIAMI -- Should any of the Marlins' Type B free agents sign with another club, the Marlins will not receive any compensation in return.

As expected, on Monday, the Marlins declined to offer arbitration to any of their free agents. The team has three Type B free agents: outfielder Luis Gonzalez, reliever Arthur Rhodes and catcher Paul Lo Duca.

 

A fourth Florida free agent, lefty Mark Hendrickson, isn't designated as either a Type A or Type B player.

 

Compensation for a Type A free agent is a first-round pick (unless it is lower than 15th overall) and a sandwich selection between the first and second rounds.

 

For lost Type B free agents, teams will receive a sandwich pick after the first round.

 

Even though the Marlins didn't offer arbitration to their free agents, they still can continue negotiating with the players.

 

Rhodes, 39, enjoyed a strong 2008 season. The left-hander was acquired July 31 from Seattle for pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez.

 

Used as a situational lefty, Rhodes appeared in 25 games for Florida, and he was 2-0 with an 0.68 ERA. He allowed just one earned run in 13 1/3 innings, striking out 14 and walking three. Opponents had 11 hits off him.

 

While with the Mariners, he was 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA, giving up seven earned runs in 22 innings.

 

The veteran, who has playoff experience from his days with the Orioles and Mariners, already is drawing heavy interest from other clubs.

 

Rhodes broke in with Baltimore in 1991, and he has appeared in 653 Major League games.

 

Gonzalez, 41, offered veteran leadership on a youthful squad this past season. He started in right field on Opening Day because Jeremy Hermida was on the disabled list. It was the 18th straight season Gonzalez has started in the big leagues.

 

 

The left-handed hitting outfielder is hopeful of playing at least one more season. There still are some milestones he would like to reach. Gonzalez has 596 career doubles, and the No. 600 is important to him. He also has 2,591 hits and 354 home runs.

 

In all likelihood, Gonzalez will sign with another club. He is even considering joining an American League squad with which he could be used as a designated hitter.

 

Lo Duca, 36, played in 21 games with the Marlins after he signed a Minor League deal on Aug. 9. The veteran batted .294 in 34 at-bats as John Baker's backup.

 

Hendrickson, the Opening Day starter in 2008, made 19 starts for the Marlins in the first half. But he was switched to the bullpen in July, and he mostly was used in long relief.

Wow! Thats all I have to say about not offering it to Rhodes. I totally agree with the others but not Rhodes. At the very least he accepts it and we pay a little bit to him and we have a decent trade chip in July if we need something then and the young guys in BP are getting the job done. I guess in the end all we gave up for him was a fringe pitcher.

I think most of us expected this, but it still would've been nice to keep Rhodes.

i don't blame them for not offering arb to rhodes. at his age you never know if he'll be good or just break down during the season leaving the marlins to have to pay him if he accepts arb.

This is too funny...

 

Marlins declined to offer arbitration to Arthur Rhodes, Luis Gonzalez and Paul Lo Duca.

The Marlins are so cheap that they didn't not only not want to pay Rhodes, but they didn't even want to pay for the draft pick he would have brought when he left. It was fine to pass on the other two. All three were Type B free agents.

 

-Rotoworld.com

This is too funny...

 

Marlins declined to offer arbitration to Arthur Rhodes, Luis Gonzalez and Paul Lo Duca.

The Marlins are so cheap that they didn't not only not want to pay Rhodes, but they didn't even want to pay for the draft pick he would have brought when he left. It was fine to pass on the other two. All three were Type B free agents.

 

-Rotoworld.com

 

wow, rotoworld is harsh

....and he's already getting an offer from the reds.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/reds-make-offer.html

Yep Reds made offer to Rhodes and Dusty Baker met with Kerry Woods yesterday....

This is too funny...

 

Marlins declined to offer arbitration to Arthur Rhodes, Luis Gonzalez and Paul Lo Duca.

The Marlins are so cheap that they didn't not only not want to pay Rhodes, but they didn't even want to pay for the draft pick he would have brought when he left. It was fine to pass on the other two. All three were Type B free agents.

 

-Rotoworld.com

 

wow, rotoworld is harsh

 

And they right english real good!

This is too funny...

 

Marlins declined to offer arbitration to Arthur Rhodes, Luis Gonzalez and Paul Lo Duca.

The Marlins are so cheap that they didn't not only not want to pay Rhodes, but they didn't even want to pay for the draft pick he would have brought when he left. It was fine to pass on the other two. All three were Type B free agents.

 

-Rotoworld.com

 

wow, rotoworld is harsh

 

And they right english real good!

The biggest problem with Rotoworld is they have almost no grasp for an organization's minor league depth, which probably comes from them mainly caring about fantasy sports.

This is too funny...

 

Marlins declined to offer arbitration to Arthur Rhodes, Luis Gonzalez and Paul Lo Duca.

The Marlins are so cheap that they didn't not only not want to pay Rhodes, but they didn't even want to pay for the draft pick he would have brought when he left. It was fine to pass on the other two. All three were Type B free agents.

 

-Rotoworld.com

 

wow, rotoworld is harsh

 

And they right english real good!

The biggest problem with Rotoworld is they have almost no grasp for an organization's minor league depth, which probably comes from them mainly caring about fantasy sports.

 

So the Marlins aren't cheap and the Marlins' organizational depth means they have lefties they like better than Rhodes? They got Rhodes because Pinto and Tankersley were pitching like crap.

Letting Rhodes go is a mistake.

Yawn. Are the Yankees cheap?? They had seven arbitration eligible players- Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

 

Guess how many of those they signed?? Zero.

Yawn. Are the Yankees cheap?? They had seven arbitration eligible players- Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

 

Guess how many of those they signed?? Zero.

 

They don't want any of those guys back and have the money to replace all of them with better players. That's called good business. Who do the Marlins have better than Rhodes in the bullpen from the left side?

Yawn. Are the Yankees cheap?? They had seven arbitration eligible players- Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

 

Guess how many of those they signed?? Zero.

 

They don't want any of those guys back and have the money to replace all of them with better players. That's called good business. Who do the Marlins have better than Rhodes in the bullpen from the left side?

 

Ok, the Marlins don't want Rhodes back though and obviously the FO believes one of our young lefties can step in and pitch as well as a 39 year old did to only LHB. Rhodes is overrated and while I would have liked to have kept him, not at the cost of a million plus which is what he will probably get.

Yawn. Are the Yankees cheap?? They had seven arbitration eligible players- Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

 

Guess how many of those they signed?? Zero.

 

They don't want any of those guys back and have the money to replace all of them with better players. That's called good business. Who do the Marlins have better than Rhodes in the bullpen from the left side?

 

Ok, the Marlins don't want Rhodes back though and obviously the FO believes one of our young lefties can step in and pitch as well as a 39 year old did to only LHB. Rhodes is overrated and while I would have liked to have kept him, not at the cost of a million plus which is what he will probably get.

 

So who is that lefty that will step up and be better than Rhodes? Tankersley or Pinto? I'll try to stop laughing.

Yawn. Are the Yankees cheap?? They had seven arbitration eligible players- Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

 

Guess how many of those they signed?? Zero.

 

They don't want any of those guys back and have the money to replace all of them with better players. That's called good business. Who do the Marlins have better than Rhodes in the bullpen from the left side?

 

Ok, the Marlins don't want Rhodes back though and obviously the FO believes one of our young lefties can step in and pitch as well as a 39 year old did to only LHB. Rhodes is overrated and while I would have liked to have kept him, not at the cost of a million plus which is what he will probably get.

 

So who is that lefty that will step up and be better than Rhodes? Tankersley or Pinto? I'll try to stop laughing.

 

 

Sure, why not?? Rhodes was good for 13 innings here, but have you seen his 2007 season? Oh wait...didn't play. How about his 2006 with Philly when in 45 innings he put up a stellar 5.32 ERA and a 1.7 WHIP. I liked Rhodes a lot too last year, but the chances aren't good enough that he'll reproduce similar numbers in a full season to pay him a million plus in his 39 year old season.

 

If the Yankees can say that they have better options than Abreu, Petite, Giambi, I-Rod, etc...why can't the Marlins with Rhodes?

Yawn. Are the Yankees cheap?? They had seven arbitration eligible players- Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

 

Guess how many of those they signed?? Zero.

 

They don't want any of those guys back and have the money to replace all of them with better players. That's called good business. Who do the Marlins have better than Rhodes in the bullpen from the left side?

 

Ok, the Marlins don't want Rhodes back though and obviously the FO believes one of our young lefties can step in and pitch as well as a 39 year old did to only LHB. Rhodes is overrated and while I would have liked to have kept him, not at the cost of a million plus which is what he will probably get.

 

So who is that lefty that will step up and be better than Rhodes? Tankersley or Pinto? I'll try to stop laughing.

 

 

Sure, why not?? Rhodes was good for 13 innings here, but have you seen his 2007 season? Oh wait...didn't play. How about his 2006 with Philly when in 45 innings he put up a stellar 5.32 ERA and a 1.7 WHIP. I liked Rhodes a lot too last year, but the chances aren't good enough that he'll reproduce similar numbers in a full season to pay him a million plus in his 39 year old season.

 

If the Yankees can say that they have better options than Abreu, Petite, Giambi, I-Rod, etc...why can't the Marlins with Rhodes?

 

Because the Yankees will go out and spend money. Who are the Marlins going to sign in free agency? Richie Sexson? Jose Vidro? Shannon Stewart?

Maybe it's lost on some here but St Louis had eight guys, let them all go. The Yankees and the Marlins, two polar opposites to be sure, aren't the only ones going down this path.

 

It's happening all over baseball this season.

Economy crisis having an affect on this slow off season?

Economy crisis having an affect on this slow off season?

 

Yea, Sabathia is about to get the largest contract for a pitcher in history... Big affect.

 

The off-season is slow because most FA's are waiting for the top guys to set the market. Once Sabathia signs, Burnett and Lowe will start fielding offers seriously. Same goes for when Manny signs, and when K-Rod signs. They will set the market for top hitters and closers as well.

Economy crisis having an affect on this slow off season?

 

Yea, Sabathia is about to get the largest contract for a pitcher in history... Big affect.

 

The off-season is slow because most FA's are waiting for the top guys to set the market. Once Sabathia signs, Burnett and Lowe will start fielding offers seriously. Same goes for when Manny signs, and when K-Rod signs. They will set the market for top hitters and closers as well.

Bingo. We as fans get impatient and forget that its still VERY EARLY. Once the big guys sign everyone else will fall into place.

A person has to be deaf and blind to not know that the economic crisis this country finds itself in isn't affecting every facet of our lives, every industry - including baseball - and the prevailing fear (as in risk assessment) is that things will get a lot worse before we see anything approaching an improvement in the economy.

 

Will the creme de la creme - the Sabathia's being a prime example - get what amounts to a king's ransom? Absolutely. He's the exception that proves the rule. But a Pat Burrell and lesser free agents already know they aren't going to bank what they and their agents discussed this summer when they formulated their going forward strategies.

 

The same downturn is going have a tremendous effect on player salaries at the least this year and next, and watching as team after team jettisons players that six months ago were locks to be offered arbitration because they neither want to be stuck with contracts they can't manage or obligations they can't absorb.

Wow! Thats all I have to say about not offering it to Rhodes. I totally agree with the others but not Rhodes. At the very least he accepts it and we pay a little bit to him and we have a decent trade chip in July if we need something then and the young guys in BP are getting the job done. I guess in the end all we gave up for him was a fringe pitcher.

 

Pretty much my exact opinion on the matter. If he signs it, we have a quality lefty arm that can be used as a trade chip at the deadline, and we'd be getting him cheap...if he signs elsewhere, we get the sandwich pick. Win-Win scenario....but I guess the FO thought he'd sign with us and would rather have the spot on the 25 man roster.

I think most of us expected this, but it still would've been nice to keep Rhodes.

 

Yep, no surprise here