Time running out for Marlins, 'Pudge' Rodriguez

 

By Mike Berardino

Staff writer

Posted December 6 2003

 

The Pudge Rodriguez Era in a Marlins uniform isn't over yet, but it appeared to be on life support after a Friday conference call with club officials produced nothing but pessimism on both sides.

 

"The financial goals of Pudge and the Marlins are significantly apart at this time," Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest said. "I wish the gap wasn't as big as it is and that it was a more positive feeling toward getting Pudge back on this ballclub. I don't see it happening."

 

With a Sunday night deadline looming and the Marlins holding fast to a two-year, $14 million offer, Rodriguez took the unusual step of joining agent Scott Boras on a 30-minute call with Beinfest, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and club President David Samson.

 

Rodriguez, sailing the Caribbean on his yacht, expressed his desire to return to the Marlins, but the free-agent catcher's proposal of a four-year, $40 million contract failed to interest club officials.

 

Rodriguez, 32, said he was willing to back-load his contract to the team's liking. He was willing to defer another large chunk of money to get a deal done and stay close to his Miami Beach home.

 

One thing the National League playoff MVP made clear, however, was that he didn't see the need to take a pay cut from the $10 million he earned last season. Not after enjoying a strong comeback season and leading the Marlins to a World Series victory six weeks ago in New York.

 

And especially not after seeing teammates Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo rewarded in recent days with annual raises and contracts that could stretch to four years apiece.

 

"Pudge told Jeff, `Hey, I am loyal to my hometown. I'm loyal to the people of Florida,'" Boras said. "Pudge was just saying, `Here's what I'm willing to do. Although I had a great year deserving of a raise like the one you gave Lowell and Castillo, all I want is a fair contract. I'm willing to take essentially what I made last year if that helps you keep the team together.'"

 

If the Marlins don't re-sign Rodriguez by midnight Sunday, they can't negotiate with him again until May 1. They pledged not to offer him salary arbitration upon signing him in January, and the deadline to waive that stipulation has passed.

 

Should Rodriguez leave, the Marlins would turn again to reserves Mike Redmond and Ramon Castro, who have shared catching duties in the past.

 

Boras said he invited Rodriguez to join the call in hopes of advancing negotiations, which have moved at a painfully slow pace since the season ended. The Marlins waited more than five weeks before making their first and only offer on Tuesday.

 

"When an employer has an employee deliver in the fashion Pudge has, normally the employee would be seeking a grand increase from where they were the prior year," Boras said. "In this case, that is not the case. We have gone to the Marlins and basically told them, `We hear you. We want to be fair with you. We want to be treated like our teammates have been treated -- the ones that are remaining.'"

 

Boras refused to characterize the odds of a deal still happening, but a source close to Rodriguez termed the outlook as "very bleak." The Marlins privately point to the lack of an acknowledged outside offer for Rodriguez as justification for their modest offer.

 

Beinfest was more optimistic about the Marlins' chances of re-signing reliever Chad Fox. They increased their one-year offer from $750,000 to $1 million on Friday, essentially matching St. Louis, Houston and Texas.

 

According to Fox, a Houston resident, the Marlins have given him a Sunday night deadline to re-sign, vowing not to offer arbitration.

 

Sources said the Baltimore Orioles were preparing a two-year offer for Fox, who could open next season as the Marlins' closer. Negotiations could come down to which team offers the best incentive package.

 

"The Marlins are very interested and we're making progress," said Fox, who made $500,000 last season. "If I'm the closer, I don't expect to be paid like a Trevor Hoffman or Eric Gagne, but reward me if I do the job."

 

The Yankees offered Fox $1.5 million but took that off the table after signing reliever Tom Gordon.

 

If Fox signs elsewhere, the Marlins figure to lose their top three relievers. They have shown no interest in re-signing free-agent closer Ugueth Urbina, and Braden Looper is expected to be cut loose on Dec. 20.

 

Also Friday, veteran infielder Lenny Harris signed a minor league deal that would pay him $400,000 if he makes the big-league club.

 

Mike Berardino can be reached at mberardino@sun-sentinel.com. Staff writer Harvey Fialkov contributed to this story. Email story

 

 

Copyright ? 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

basic stuff, if it was posted i guess it could deleted. it also includes some stuff about Chad Fox

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins

It's actually not a bad article. It gives more insight on Borass' side of the story.

It gives more insight on Borass' side of the story.

How much insight do you need?

 

He's an agent. His job is to get his client the best deal possible, and Boras is as good as it gets in his biz. If he and Pudge believe they can get more than what's on the table now, see you later Pudge. Good luck. You'll need as much as you can get if you want $10 Mill a year.

I just like to see what each side has to say. Chill out, man.

Not taking anything away from Pudge as a ballplayer, the man has a lot of leasons to learn. His acting very imature. I'm ashamed because I would like to see him do well here on another team.

 

Ego is in the middle (thanks to Pudge) of this and I just don't see a way for both sides to come to any sort of agreement. I'm willing to bet that Pudge rather play for cheap for another team or go to Japan, rather than coming back for anything less than 10 millions. He is pouding the table, and I hope Loria don't do anything crazy and give in.

 

In addition, WTF is this crap from Pudge about refering to Castillo and Lowell getting raises? Comon Pudge, be a man, grow some balls and work your own deal. You want a raise? use The Whore (Boras) to find it on another team.

 

btw, most of the local media is taking the Marlin's side at the moment. Logic and reason is on our side.