GM: Re-signing Castillo a priority

Rodriguez may be out of Marlins' price range for '04

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

 

Luis Castillo swiped 250 bases in his eight seasons with the Marlins. (Alan Diaz/AP)

 

 

 

MIAMI -- Speed at the top of the order separated the Marlins from the rest of the league and was crucial in the team winning the World Series.

Retaining the tandem of Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo batting first and second is a high priority for the Marlins.

 

So much so that Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest says re-signing Castillo is a top offseason objective.

 

Castillo, who recently won his first Gold Glove, is a free agent. But Beinfest is working hard to sign the 28-year-old second baseman to a multiyear contract.

 

"It's definitely safe to say Luis is a priority for us," Beinfest said Friday.

 

Recently, the Marlins extended an offer to Castillo and fifth-year arbitration eligible third baseman Mike Lowell.

 

Castillo's offer is believed to be three years, $15.5 million.

 

"We continue to talk to Luis and Mike about multiyear opportunities," Beinfest said.

 

Lowell's deal is a bit more complicated. The two-time All-Star third baseman was presented with a four-year proposal that has provisions involving the franchise securing financing for a retractable-roof, $325 million proposed stadium in Miami.

 

Beinfest did not offer specifics on player contracts.

 

Basically, Lowell would sign for 2004, and if a stadium is finalized by a March 15 deadline to complete the deal, three more seasons would be added to the third baseman's contract.

 

As the Marlins work toward locking up two of their star infielders, talks have stalled with catcher Ivan Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras.

 

Rodriguez, a free agent, has expressed interest in returning. But the backstop may be out of the team's price range.

 

"What Pudge's expectations and goals are do not fit with our payroll allocation," Beinfest said. "His goals do not fit within our allocation or operating range."

 

Although both sides are far apart now, Beinfest added: "Things could change. ... You never really know. I never rule out anything."

 

The Marlins have two players signed for 2004, Pierre and veteran Jeff Conine.

 

Despite having 15 players eligible for arbitration, Beinfest said his payroll parameters are such that the team should be able to retain a significant number of players.

 

"Based on our operating range, yes, I see a large parts of this team being retained," Beinfest said.

 

Should Rodriguez sign elsewhere, the Marlins have Ramon Castro and Mike Redmond as options to share the catcher position.

 

The Marlins are believed to be working within payroll guidelines between $50 million-$60 million.

 

Beinfest acknowledges that the team has had numerous discussions with multiple teams about possible trades.

 

First baseman Derrek Lee, a fifth-year arbitration player, reportedly is involved in talks with the Diamondbacks, Orioles and Dodgers.

 

"Are we talking to clubs about a number of different opportunities? Yes," Beinfest said. "We talked with everybody [at the GM meetings] and we continue to talk about ideas."

 

The Marlins are budgeting to keep much of the pitching staff intact. Brad Penny, Mark Redman, Carl Pavano and A.J. Burnett are eligible for arbitration.

 

While Burnett missed just about all of 2003 because of Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, Beinfest speaks highly about keeping the hard-throwing right-hander.

 

Burnett is projected back in early May, and could rejoin the rotation.

 

"We're very encouraged by A.J.'s rehab," Beinfest said. "He's doing terrific. ... Obviously, A.J.'s skills speak for itself. He is definitely part of the decision making process."

 

Another order of business about to be addressed is a third base coach to replace Ozzie Guillen, recently named manager of the White Sox.

 

Beinfest said the new coach would likely be announced before Thanksgiving. Cookie Rojas remains an option.

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I liked the article,hmmm pudge might not get signed,and we will most probably keep aj,and cookie rojas might be named 3rd base coach,also luis will hopefully sign for 15.5 million and 3 years.

I guess I don't know what I'm talkin about...

 

http://www.marlinbaseball.com/forums/index...?showtopic=9930

:shifty :unsure : runs!,lol :lol

oh wow big deal everybody knew that.

beinfest is playing hardball with pudge. trying to get pudge's ego to get the best of him so pudge will prounce at a pro-Marlins deal.

Finally i hear something about AJ....i cant wait till he pitches.

 

Ok we dont really need Castillo, we have Pierre who is the exact same player that Luis Castillo is. Having castillo would be great but we dont necessairly need him. Both are fast and have stolen 55+ bases. They both hit for average. The only diffrence is Castillo is a switch hitter and he has a little bit more power but leadoff hitters dont need power anyways but i would still like to keep Castillo.

lol we dont need castillo? i guess u like kevin hooper or some or all the suckie free agents that are cheaper?

good news and good to see because its true that the 1-2 combo is the most important part of the line up obviously the statistics of when they got on base and our winning % speak for itself

lol we dont need castillo? i guess u like kevin hooper or some or all the suckie free agents that are cheaper?

suckie.

 

Pubes learned that at Yale.

beinfest is playing hardball with pudge. trying to get pudge's ego to get the best of him so pudge will prounce at a pro-Marlins deal.

Beinfest's doin a hell of a job playing hardball. I mean it sounds like he barely even considers pudge. It's a good strategy...if it doesn't backfire :whistle

good news and good to see because its true that the 1-2 combo is the most important part of the line up obviously the statistics of when they got on base and our winning % speak for itself

I don't agree that it speaks for itself. I think there are other players that can come pretty close to having the year Castillo had last year for a lot less money. How many bases he stole over the last 8 years isn't relevant. He just had hip surgery, and limped through the whole season. No guarantee that he will ever be anywhere near the base stealer he once was.

 

Much to my surprise, the important part of that 1-2 punch was actually Pierre. I don't think I want to see any long term commitment to Luis, as much as I like the guy. Freeing up that payroll will make the Marlins more flexible to be creative filling that 2 hole, and filling that 2nd base hole. They don't have to both be filled by the same guy, either.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing someone in that 2 hole that had a little more pop.