If he clears his legal problems he will be the starting catcher, unless there is no market for Pudge, and he is still available after he tests the market.

Pudge won't be available if we let him test the market past Dec 7th.

Pudge won't be available if we let him test the market past Dec 7th.

I didn't realize that if a team didn't re-sign a free agent, they are prevented from signing him again until after the season starts.? I thought they were still able to bid with the other teams.

 

Even so, with Boras starting at 5 yrs and $50 mil, I think he knows he's eliminating the Marlins from the mix.? I don't think anybody thinks Pudge will get that, but he's setting the bar high, to artificially inflate the price.? There's a good chance somebody will overpay for Pudge.? I hope it's not the Marlins.I don't think people realize how much a risk Castro really is. Look at Castro's numbers against right-handed pitching. He's far from a sure thing.

 

There aren't many "sure things". But if you look at Pudge's number for this season, and the $10 mil price tag, it's not a stretch to project Castro putting up similar numbers, and probably more HRs. It's time to let go of Pudge.

Well I found my way here, thanks to a friendly fan, who knows who he is......

 

Personally, I believe Pudge is worth the $$$ Boras is asking. I would hate to see him on another team, unless of course it was the Yankees, but that is not happening.

 

Does the money fit into the Marlins budget is another issue....they sure as heck should try or offer him something close. What I heard was an offer to him of 2 yr/$15 mil....which I think is a little bit low....but, who knows.

 

Yogi Berra has been known to say some, cute and weird statements as it relates to baseball....but I believe one of his best sentiments refers to catcher....if you don't have one....a lot of passed balls cause batters to reach first base.

 

If I was picking a team from scratch...the best catcher I could find I would pay whatever I had to, to get him....that is how important I believe Pudge could be for this team. In Pudge's case he gives you GREAT defense, and awesome offense.

 

But just my opinion.

I didn't realize that if a team didn't re-sign a free agent, they are prevented from signing him again until after the season starts.? I thought they were still able to bid with the other teams.

I don't get the rules either. It has something to do with the fact that the contract that Pudge signed with the Marlins last year stipulates that the Marlins can't offer him arbitration before the December 7th deadline. Evidently, you have to offer your free agents arbitration by December 7th or you can't sign them until May 1st. I think that's what happened to Chuck Finley last year.

 

I'd love to see us keep Pudge, at around 3-years for a total of $21 million. I'd just like us to make him an offer before December 7th. Even if it's just the 2-year $15 million offer we're hearing. If Boras turns it down thinking he can get more elsewhere, he may end up regretting it. But if we can get an offer on the table, then we'll have something to negotiate from. Right now, all we have is the 5-year, $50 million fantasy we hear in the press.

 

I'm hoping this is just typical negotiation BS and they'll try to hammer something out at the last minute. I'd hate for the December 7th deadline to pass and Boras to say we never even made an offer to keep Pudge. Berardino at the Sun-Sentinel and the idiots at the Herald will crucify us for that.

Well I found my way here, thanks to a friendly fan, who knows who he is......

 

Personally, I believe Pudge is worth the $$$ Boras is asking. I would hate to see him on another team, unless of course it was the Yankees, but that is not happening.

 

Does the money fit into the Marlins budget is another issue....they sure as heck should try or offer him something close. What I heard was an offer to him of 2 yr/$15 mil....which I think is a little bit low....but, who knows.

 

Yogi Berra has been known to say some, cute and weird statements as it relates to baseball....but I believe one of his best sentiments refers to catcher....if you don't have one....a lot of passed balls cause batters to reach first base.

 

If I was picking a team from scratch...the best catcher I could find I would pay whatever I had to, to get him....that is how important I believe Pudge could be for this team. In Pudge's case he gives you GREAT defense, and awesome offense.

 

But just my opinion.

First, Welcome to the boards Paulette3028.

 

 

 

I agree with you that we should sign Pudge but I disagree aswell. Pudge is 32 years-old and a 5 yr/$50 mil contract on a 32 year-old catcher is a HUGE risk.

Huge... and Dumb

I didn't realize that if a team didn't re-sign a free agent, they are prevented from signing him again until after the season starts.? I thought they were still able to bid with the other teams.

I don't get the rules either. It has something to do with the fact that the contract that Pudge signed with the Marlins last year stipulates that the Marlins can't offer him arbitration before the December 7th deadline. Evidently, you have to offer your free agents arbitration by December 7th or you can't sign them until May 1st. I think that's what happened to Chuck Finley last year.

 

I'd love to see us keep Pudge, at around 3-years for a total of $21 million. I'd just like us to make him an offer before December 7th. Even if it's just the 2-year $15 million offer we're hearing. If Boras turns it down thinking he can get more elsewhere, he may end up regretting it. But if we can get an offer on the table, then we'll have something to negotiate from. Right now, all we have is the 5-year, $50 million fantasy we hear in the press.

 

I'm hoping this is just typical negotiation BS and they'll try to hammer something out at the last minute. I'd hate for the December 7th deadline to pass and Boras to say we never even made an offer to keep Pudge. Berardino at the Sun-Sentinel and the idiots at the Herald will crucify us for that. I suspect one of the reasons they haven't made an official offer is that it is so far away from the numbers Boras is throwing around. All of this is just a matter of PR work, in my opinion. I don't think the Marlins really think they have much of a chance of re-signing Pudge, but have to go through the motions for the fans. To show that they are at least trying.

 

I'm guessing that they will make their move late, so that Boras won't be able to mangle them in the press. They will either make what ever offer they feel they can realistically afford , or they will just make a statement that they didn't want to insult Pudge with what they would be able to offer, based on Boras' statements. Either way, they will be looking for positive spin, and I'll be surprised if they get any more than that out of the whole deal.

 

As far as Berardino, and LeBatard go, they will continue to jump on any and all opportunities to drive a stake into the heart of the Marlins. they have taken a positition and both are trying to build careers on them. Neither seems to be have any prolblem with not letting the facts get in the way of a good story.

To Durable Tear.....thanks for the welcome.....as for how long a contract to offer Pudge, you could be right....but I still would seriously up the offer from 2yr/$15 mil (if that is what they have offered him, and some say no offer has been tendered).

 

Otherwise....you will be without a real valuable piece of the puzzle. I would go the 5 yrs though w/o a worry....people will say I am nuts. Or go 3 years for a little bit more $$$ per like 3 yrs/$33 mil.

 

I know it is not my money.....but terrific is what he is.

3 years for $33mil could cripple us especially if he goes down..

 

5 years w/o a worry?

 

catchers break down after 30... he is 32 or so... id be very very worried

oh no pudge is going to be the CJ #2. looks good now, but then we kick ourself later. omg

oh no pudge is going to be the CJ #2. looks good now, but then we kick ourself later. omg

:jackass

I didn't realize that if a team didn't re-sign a free agent, they are prevented from signing him again until after the season starts.? I thought they were still able to bid with the other teams.

I don't get the rules either. It has something to do with the fact that the contract that Pudge signed with the Marlins last year stipulates that the Marlins can't offer him arbitration before the December 7th deadline. Evidently, you have to offer your free agents arbitration by December 7th or you can't sign them until May 1st. I think that's what happened to Chuck Finley last year.

 

When Pudge signed with the Fish his contract stipulated the Marlins WOULD NOT offer him arbitration, an unusual but not unheard of request, thus allowing him to immediately test the free agent waters after Dec 7. Pudge came here to in part rebuild his reputation and value in the eyes of baseball management. He wanted then and he wants how a long term contract. Whether he gets it or not, only time will tell.

 

Last season the only other serious bidder was Baltimore. Without going back and researhing it, I believe they offered him an incentive-laiden deal which was 3yrs/$16.5 mil plus incentives. That's rough $5.5 mil a year plus plus plus.

 

The Marlins are not precluded from signing him after Dec 7 but he won't be eligible to play until May. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he can practice with, go to spring training etc., the Fish if he (for example) signs in January. He just can't play until May.