November 27, 200322 yr LinkIf they trade Encarnacion and since we saved money on the D.Lee deal then its possible to sign Pudge. Signing Pudge next order of business By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, November 27, 2003 By trading Gold Glove first baseman Derrek Lee to the Chicago Cubs, the Marlins believe they helped their chances of signing the rest of their infield, including catcher Pudge Rodriguez. "No one is going to take the place of Lee. You hate to see him go. But I think this move was an effort to see if they couldn't free up some money to enable us to keep all of those guys,'' manager Jack McKeon said Wednesday. "Pudge's situation might be a difficult one. I know they'd like to keep all of those guys, but some of these players have a say, too.'' The Marlins essentially saved $7.5 million, which Lee could command through arbitration. Hee Seop Choi, the first baseman Florida received Tuesday for Lee, earned $305,000 in 2003 and won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2005 season. While the Marlins still are limited to a payroll of up to $60 million next year, the Lee deal has led some front-office officials to believe the extra money could help them lure Rodriguez, a source said. General Manager Admin Beinfest on Tuesday said the Lee deal will help free up money, but he said the team would concentrate on retaining its pitchers and signing second baseman Luis Castillo. The Marlins hope to sign Castillo to a three-year deal worth at least $15.5 million before baseball's annual winter meetings, which start Dec. 12 in New Orleans. Beinfest, who said Friday that talks with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, had stalled, reported no new developments Tuesday in negotiations. "We never want to rule anything out,'' he said. Talks are expected to intensify next week, as both sides enter the final week before a negotiating deadline. Under the one-year, $10 million contract Rodriguez signed in January, Florida forfeits its right to re-sign the 10-time All-Star if the two sides don't reach an accord by Dec. 7. Although no formal offers have been exchanged, the Marlins have indicated to Boras that the team would offer a two-year deal worth $16 million. Rodriguez is seeking a contract with more than two years. The Marlins also hope to sign All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell to a four-year deal by the winter meetings. The dollar value of that offer is not known but it contains out clauses related to the construction of a new ballpark. Florida could free up more money by trading right fielder Juan Encarnacion, who stands to make at least $5 million through arbitration after a career-high 94 RBI in 2003, when he made $3.45 million. Beinfest gave credence to a widely held belief that Encarnacion won't be back when he said it was fair to speculate that Florida's outfield next year could comprise Jeff Conine in left, Juan Pierre in center and Miguel Cabrera in right. If the Marlins can't trade Encarnacion, they won't offer him a contract. The Marlins also are not expected to make offers to closer Ugueth Urbina ($4.5 million in 2003) and left-handed starter Mark Redman ($2.15 million). If Redman doesn't return, Florida's rotation would include right-handers Josh Beckett, Brad Penny and Carl Pavano and left-hander Dontrelle Willis. A.J. Burnett is projected to return by May or June.
November 27, 200322 yr well, the marlins FO has to make a decision pretty soon because Dec. 7 is in a week and a half.... This will be a looong week and a half. I wonder what they'll do
November 27, 200322 yr ::crosses fingers:: *Crosses fingers for completely opposite reason.* you just love being a jackass dont you?
November 27, 200322 yr Pudge wants a 3 or 4 year deal, IMO he's not worth more than a 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd year. I have no idea what the marlins will do about Pudge, or what I want them to do about Pudge.
November 27, 200322 yr Hey Josh but according to you Beinfest doesn't wan't Pudge back so thhe report must be purely base on media speculation.
November 27, 200322 yr you just love being a jackass dont you? I don't want him back. So sue me. why dont you want Pudge back???
November 27, 200322 yr and he has a thing for Ramon Castro Too bad that the girl accusing Ramon didn't.
November 27, 200322 yr money reasons? if we can get him-than we should get him! hes a great player and a team leader that will help us out! if there is anyway that we should keep him-we should!
November 27, 200322 yr and he has a thing for Ramon Castro Too bad that the girl accusing Ramon didn't. ain't that the truth
November 27, 200322 yr and he has a thing for Ramon Castro Too bad that the girl accusing Ramon didn't. :lol
November 27, 200322 yr and he has a thing for Ramon Castro First Derrek Lee... now Ramon Castro? Soon come the Ramon Castro wet dreams...
November 27, 200322 yr and he has a thing for Ramon Castro First Derrek Lee... now Ramon Castro? Soon come the Ramon Castro wet dreams... Jebus crisp... Castro deserves his chace.
November 27, 200322 yr not if we get Pudge at a reasonable price reasonable price... is 7 mill. a year reasonable?
November 27, 200322 yr not if we get Pudge at a reasonable price reasonable price... is 7 mill. a year reasonable? For his numbers in '03, no.
November 27, 200322 yr not if we get Pudge at a reasonable price reasonable price... is 7 mill. a year reasonable? No
November 27, 200322 yr not if we get Pudge at a reasonable price reasonable price... is 7 mill. a year reasonable? For his numbers in '03, no. hes prob gonna have a better year than what he had last year...
November 27, 200322 yr not if we get Pudge at a reasonable price reasonable price... is 7 mill. a year reasonable? No than what in your opinion is reasonable? Pudge is a great player! for 7 mill. a year-thats a pretty good deal...
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