CapeFish Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 12/08/2003? 7:28 PM ET Marlins move on to Plan B Castro and Redmond to compete for catcher's job By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com? ? ? Ivan Rodriguez, the NLCS MVP, wanted a four-year deal and refused to accept a cut in pay. (Charles Krupa/AP) Pudge not returning to Marlins MIAMI -- Plan A was to re-sign catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a multiyear contract. It didn't happen. So now the Marlins are moving on to Plan B, which is trying to defend their World Series title without an important team leader. Rodriguez and the Marlins are parting ways after the catcher and his agent, Scott Boras, rejected an enhanced contract offer on Sunday. Because the Marlins contractually were prohibited from offering Rodriguez arbitration by Sunday's midnight deadline, the marriage between the club and player is over after one season. Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest said the offer was more than $7 million a season. The new proposal was believed to be for two seasons, with a vesting option for a third that would have made the package worth approximately $24 million. The 32-year-old catcher, who made $10 million in his lone season with the Marlins, refused to accept a cut in pay. In addition, he wanted a four-year deal. "This was a business decision," said Beinfest. "We all make business decisions in our own best interests." When the Marlins head into the Winter Meetings this weekend in New Orleans, they will be in the market for relief pitching. The team also could be prepared to make a pitch for the top free agent on the market, All-Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero has ties to Marlins ownership from their days together in Montreal. In fact, Marlins senior vice president and director of international operations Fred Ferreira originally signed Guerrero to the Expos. A year ago, the Marlins made inquires about trading for the Dominican-born right fielder. Rodriguez, who hit .297 with 16 home runs and 85 RBIs, stepped up in the postseason and was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series against the Cubs. "I tried my best to remain a Marlin by not requesting a salary increase," said Rodriguez in a statement. "To my knowledge, I'm the only Major Leaguer in recent times who won the World Series and received a postseason MVP award, and yet his club did not offer a higher salary." In the past week, the Marlins signed All-Stars Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo to multiyear contracts, and on Sunday they re-signed reliever Chad Fox. Luring back Pudge would have successfully concluded what already is one of the most productive offseason weeks in the franchise's 12 seasons. With their popular catcher gone, the Marlins are prepared to let Ramon Castro and Mike Redmond compete for the job. Castro, 27, is a promising player who spent the past two seasons sitting mostly on the bench. He did, however, display some power. The native of Puerto Rico had five home runs in 53 at-bats last season, and in his Major League career has 15 homers in 370 at-bats. But Castro's playing status is up in the air because of legal troubles. In August the catcher was arrested in Pittsburgh and charged with rape. His trial is set for January. "We are monitoring Ray's pending legal situation," said Beinfest. Redmond lacks the power, but is a former .300 hitter who handles the pitching staff well and is good defensively. "We are comfortable with the two catchers," Beinfest added. "We were comfortable with them a year ago." Before the Marlins signed Rodriguez on Jan. 22, 2003, they were set to split the job between the two. Instead they were one of the few teams to carry three catchers. Next year the team likely will go with two. In an emergency situation, they can put the catcher's gear on versatile infielder Mike Mordecai. Going forward without Rodriguez gives the Marlins flexibility to pursue several options. At the Winter Meetings, the Marlins will look into adding relief pitchers. Closer Ugueth Urbina won't be back, and it is unclear if reliever Braden Looper, who is arbitration-eligible, will return. With a predominantly right-handed lineup, the Marlins can also explore adding a quality lefty bat. Last month the Marlins acquired left-handed-hitting first baseman Hee Seop Choi in the Derrek Lee trade with the Cubs. While Choi is considered to have a promising future and power potential, he is untested. The Marlins could seek to add a more experienced left-handed-hitting first baseman, perhaps 39-year-old and 500 home run club member Rafael Palmeiro, a Miami native. Palmeiro, who made $9 million with Texas last season, was not offered arbitration on Sunday and is expected to take a significant pay cut. Palmeiro, however, is believed to be attracting strong interest from the Angels. The Marlins also are preparing to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. Alex Gonzalez is going through the arbitration process, and the team may look to sign the slick-fielding shortstop to a multiyear deal. By doing that they would secure one of the best fielding infields for several seasons. "We will be looking at a lot of different things," said Beinfest. "We have a lot of balls in the air right now. We're in an ever-changing environment. We'll look at players not offered arbitration and nontendered players after Dec. 20. We will continue to look at pitching. We will continue to look at the bullpen and make sure that is strong." Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Sorry if already posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurableTear Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 The team also could be prepared to make a pitch for the top free agent on the market, All-Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. :shifty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marlins02 Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 thats one hell of a plan B. i guess i can handle Juanky's gloating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 wowzers. :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO That's the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapHands69 Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 This should have been plan A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureGM Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 The team also could be prepared to make a pitch for the top free agent on the market, All-Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. Intriguing....the first substanciated rumor involving us and Vlad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reclusedx Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 hell yeaaaa...awesome. It's very true we need some Lefties in our line up. and it would be sweet if we can aquire Palmeiro.......or Vlad..this is good stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapeFish Posted December 9, 2003 Author Share Posted December 9, 2003 this is from MLB.com/FloridaMarlins.com Big story on front page with picture of Redmond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMLinkinPark Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Great News. :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Juanky still hasnt posted. Thats a shock. I think they have been reading the boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreshFish Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 SIGN The DOTTED LINE PLEASE I have officialy converted to the dark side. The dream is alive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapeFish Posted December 9, 2003 Author Share Posted December 9, 2003 juanky must be shocked lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJC Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 JoBu is working his magic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 This should have been plan A. :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 JoBu is working his magic... s***, don't just offer him a shot. Give him the whole damn bottle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanleylicious Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Talk about filling the gap Pudge left Vlad would do that perfectly ...Just make sure Brad sits on the other side of the dugout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Juanky still hasnt posted. Thats a shock. I think they have been reading the boards. Sorry, was wrapping up school work. I just can't wait until he signs. And no, I'm not in shock. I actually copied and pasted this to someone I was having an arguement with attached with a line from a movie I like "And we will start the a** Kissing with YOU" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurableTear Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Talk about filling the gap Pudge left Vlad would do that perfectly ...Just make sure Brad sits on the other side of the dugout I forgot about that.. they both hate each other... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMLinkinPark Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Talk about filling the gap Pudge left Vlad would do that perfectly ...Just make sure Brad sits on the other side of the dugout I am Sure Brad Wouldnt Mind Becomign Friends with Vlad... :shifty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 If the Marlins offered anything in the ballpark of the highest bidders, I think we get him. 1) Low-pressure area 2) Latin Community (good for him and most definately us) 3) Major positive ties to the FO If Florida offers somewhere in the ballpark of 5-years$75 Million, consider him teal through and through. BTW: If Jeffrey Loria can pull $10 Mill out of his a** to get a .297, 16, 86 guy, he will sure as hell pull $12-15 Mill out of his a** for a .330, 40, 120 guy that also steals 40 bases, and happens to be his favorite player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Talk about filling the gap Pudge left Vlad would do that perfectly ...Just make sure Brad sits on the other side of the dugout I am Sure Brad Wouldnt Mind Becomign Friends with Vlad... :shifty I'm sure if we signed him, Brad would be the first to call him up. That is, if he's not out huntin' with Josh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marlins02 Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 i hope vlad doesnt go "roger dorn" on penny, it would also be a b***h if Brad went "rick vaughn" on Vlads wife (i think he's married) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreshFish Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 If the Marlins offered anything in the ballpark of the highest bidders, I think we get him. 1) Low-pressure area 2) Latin Community (good for him and most definately us) 3) Major positive ties to the FO If Florida offers somewhere in the ballpark of 5-years$75 Million, consider him teal through and through. BTW: If Jeffrey Loria can pull $10 Mill out of his a** to get a .297, 16, 86 guy, he will sure as hell pull $12-15 Mill out of his a** for a .330, 40, 120 guy that also steals 40 bases, and happens to be his favorite player. The key would be to defer a boat load to after year 2007, where the revenues of the new stadium would start to kick in. When there is a Vlad to be signed, there is a WAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 Damn. Some of you are talking like Vlad is on the team already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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