November 25, 200322 yr O's courting Marlins' Lee Deal for first baseman being discussed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Roch Kubatko Sun Staff Originally published November 24, 2003, 9:42 PM EST A proposed trade with the Florida Marlins that would have put Derrek Lee in the Orioles' lineup next year apparently fell through Monday when the club couldn't reach agreement on a contract extension with the Gold Glove first baseman. Lee, 28, and his agent, Casey Close, met at the B&O warehouse with Orioles executives Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan, but a deal wasn't finalized. A team source said the Marlins would have obtained lower-level prospects in return for Lee, who can become a free agent after next season. Without discussing Lee, who earned $4.25 million this season and could receive up to $7 million in salary arbitration, Beattie said the Orioles don't have any trades "that are imminent." Beattie indicated that the Orioles might wait until the winter meetings that begin Dec. 12 in New Orleans to complete any deals, but they would continue talking to free agents and their representatives. "It's one of those situations that we really aren't commenting on. We can't," said Beattie, who leaves for Vermont tomorrow and won't return until early next week. "There's no deal or announcement. That's about all we can say." The Orioles have been reluctant to acquire players for the short term, which led to free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez signing a one-year, $10 million contract with the Marlins last winter. The Orioles tried to lock him up for three years at $21 million. "As I've said all along, we're trying to get players who are going to be here for a couple years," Beattie said. "We don't want our main players, our key guys, to be one-year rentals. That was our holdup with Rodriguez and that's why we tried to do a multi-year deal. That's our approach." With Lee Mazzilli in place as their new manager, the Orioles were attempting to take their first step toward giving him a stronger lineup and a better chance to win. They apparently were prepared to hold a late-afternoon news conference at the warehouse to introduce Lee to the local media, but it never unfolded. In an effort to reduce payroll after winning the World Series this year, the Marlins are trying to move Lee, who batted .271 with 31 doubles, 31 homers, 92 RBIs and a .508 slugging percentage. They most likely would non-tender him, as the Orioles did with outfielder Chris Singleton last year, rather than go to arbitration. The Marlins seemed on the verge of making their second trade with the Orioles in three months. They acquired Jeff Conine on Aug. 31 for pitching prospects Denny Bautista and Don Levinski, and he'll eventually replace Lee at first base next season. Needing to boost their run production, the Orioles also have inquired about Milwaukee slugger Richie Sexson, but Lee comes at a cheaper price. They wouldn't have to part with an upper-level prospect or a major league player, and Lee provides better defense and baserunning. He had 21 steals and won a Gold Glove this year after committing five errors in 1,381 chances for a .996 fielding percentage. The Orioles also believe that Lee, who's averaged 27 homers the last four seasons, would exhibit more power at Camden Yards than spacious Pro Player Stadium. Lee posted an .887 OPS (combined on-base and slugging percentages) on the road, compared to Sexson's .883. Even if the Lee deal falls through [en dash]San Francisco, Arizona and Los Angeles are counted among his suitors - the Orioles remain a leading contender for free agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. They also have interest in shortstop Miguel Tejada while seeking a presence in the middle of their lineup that's been missing since Albert Belle was diagnosed with a degenerative hip condition. credit- sunspot.net
November 25, 200322 yr Send him somewhere ..LOL Plenty of people are in the market for him... Repeat: Screw the Orioles. Their loss.
November 25, 200322 yr I hope we arn't forced to just non-tender him...although I'm sure ignorant people like minus would be elated just to be rid of Lee.
November 25, 200322 yr How anyone can read this article and then blame the Orioles is beyond me. Keep three things in mind - 1. It appears to be DLee (and his agent) who pooh-poohed this deal. The O's want him to sign for multiple years, I suspect Lee's camp believes even if this year's market is depressed, next year or the year after, in an improving economy may mean GMs are more willing to spend after next season or the season after. Signing a one year deal would position them to cash in later on. 2. In any negotiations you often have to say no when you want to say yes. It's called "breaking their heart", and it's right out of "Negotiations 101". Just because he said no today doesn't mean he won't say yes to an improved offer. The Orioles need run production and DLee fits nicely with that need. 3. If in fact compensation was going to be second level prospect(s), non-tendering the guy may bring you a draft choice with potential as opposed to a journeyman minor leaguer with none. The objective of this exercise is to clear an estimated $7 mil of next year's payroll. All things being equal I'd rather see him gone to the American League than making someone in the NL stronger. Where he goes is a close second to clearing payroll.
November 25, 200322 yr Do we get draft picks for players we non-tender or player that arn't signed before the Dec. 20 deadline?
November 25, 200322 yr and fyi... Luis is a type A free agent, as is Pudge, and Uggy.... so if we lose them we get some nice compensatory picks...
November 25, 200322 yr You may be right, it's late I'll check in the morning. But the point remains, the main objective should be to get $7 million off the books one way or the other.
November 25, 200322 yr If don't get a Vlad or some other impact player I'd rather sign Lee and deal him mid-season.
November 25, 200322 yr Actually it was easy to find and I stand corrected. A six year arb eligible free agent (and with six years he is considered a "limited" free agent) who is not tendered generates no compensation to the former parent club. Thusly, there is no compensation for either Lee (if he is non-tendered) or Pudge because his contract stipulates he will not be offered arb by the Marlins.
November 25, 200322 yr This brings up an interesting debate...What are the pros and cons of keeping/non-tendering Lee? I'm speculating heavily here, but what if we go to arbitration with Lee and the parties settle for 7.5 million for 2004. Then around mid-season as the trade deadline nears we flip him for some prospects and his remaining salary. So instead of getting zero for Lee who is just entering his prime offensive years we at least get something. Note: We would only try this if we fail to nail an impact player like Vlad or to keep Lowell/Burnett.
November 25, 200322 yr david ortiz was non tendered last yr. that wasnt a good idea. i think we should arbitration lee first then trade him.
November 25, 200322 yr How did we go from possibly getting Spivey and Patterson from Arizona for Lee. To getting lower-level prospects. The demand for Lee is high I'm sure we can do better than that.
November 25, 200322 yr Okay Ramp, I'll bite- How'd you get Vlad in a Marlins hat for your avatar? As for the O's/Lee deal, I'm kind of torn. On one hand, there were some good prospects being discussed that I would've liked to have come here. On the other hand, this article indicates only lower-level prospects, which doesn't sound too pleasing.
November 25, 200322 yr Hey pubes are you going to the Yale v Wake Forest basketball game? I'm going to be up there for Thanksgiving and I'm going with a cousin of mine who goes to Yale.
November 25, 200322 yr Hey pubes are you going to the Yale v Wake Forest basketball game? I'm going to be up there for Thanksgiving and I'm going with a cousin of mine who goes to Yale. according to das texan if I answer your post i will be fueling the fire and i will be banned. sorry , no comment
November 25, 200322 yr no, no comment is no comment. stop trying to fuel the fire Ramp. you could've ignored that, but you fueled the fire.
November 25, 200322 yr Das is a little too sensitive then...that is ok, he was one of the ones that got me banned over a year ago... I agree with Marlins 2003 that clearing payroll is key. We will use that money for someone out there, no question. I hate to lose Lee, truthfully. I would rather keep him than Castillo or Pudge, but we dont absolutely need him. If Conine wasnt with us, I would suggest going after Mientkiwcz, he is a lefty with a great glove and a solid hitter who makes contact and could flourish at JRS. Oh, and he is cheap... Hate to see Lee go, but this is a tricky situation and Lee and his agent could be evil and force us to non-tender...wonder who blinks....
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