G.C.0806 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Marlins explore possible deals By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Javy Lopez (left) may be a player targeted by the Marlins' front office. (Ryan Remiorz/AP) NEW ORLEANS -- Smart spending enabled the Marlins to put together a World Series championship team. Marlins management heads to the Winter Meetings this weekend hopeful of duplicating their 2003 success. "We're going to follow up on ideas and we're going to be open to new ideas," general manager Admin Beinfest said. But Beinfest cautions that just because the Marlins are noted for wheeling-and-dealing in the past doesn't necessarily mean they will complete any blockbuster moves in New Orleans. "There really is only two times that everybody in the league is together, the GM meetings [in November], and the Winter Meetings," Beinfest said. "We're going to see what's going on." Right now there is a lot of speculation of what the Marlins may be prepared to do. The team is exploring whether it is possible to sign either catcher Javy Lopez or outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. Lopez may be receptive to an offer similar to what catcher Ivan Rodriguez recently turned down, two-years for $16 million with an option for a third year that would up the package to $24 million. Guerrero, meanwhile, will be more costly. Both sides share a past history. Beinfest and a number of other front office personnel used to work for the Expos. Beinfest declined comment on specific players. In order to sign a high-priced free agent, however, the Marlins would have to be creative. Also, signing a big-name player could come at the expense of other players. Owner Jeffrey Loria has given Beinfest a $60 million payroll range. Beinfest did say the Marlins are in the market for relief help, particularly a closer. Reportedly, there is strong interest in Armando Benitez. Already, a number of quality relievers have changed teams. In recent days, Tim Worrell signed with the Phillies, strengthening their improved bullpen that added closer Billy Wagner in November. Asked if there still are quality relievers on the market, Beinfest emphatically says, "yes." "I'm confident enough that we'll be able to add a quality player," he said. Over the past few days, the Marlins have been focused on their arbitration-eligible players. Their list includes, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, pitchers Brad Penny, A.J. Burnett, Carl Pavano, Mark Redman, Braden Looper, catcher Ramon Castro and right fielder Juan Encarnacion. Encarnacion is now expected back. And there is a chance the team will make a multiyear offer to Gonzalez, which would mean the entire infield would be signed for more than one season. The Marlins promise to be active at the Winter Meetings. They could surprise by making a big splash with a high-profile signing. But that is not a given. "We are always looking to improve," Beinfest said. But they will do so by spending smartly to remain within their budget. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.C.0806 Posted December 11, 2003 Author Share Posted December 11, 2003 Also on floridamarlins.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer_fran Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Encarnacion is now expected back. Wow, that's new. I've never heard anything other than Enc. not returning next year. Well, if we do offer him arbitration that pretty much ends the Vlad talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Encarnacion will not be back. That is absolutely ludicrous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Encarnacion is now expected back. Wow, that's new. I've never heard anything other than Enc. not returning next year. Well, if we do offer him arbitration that pretty much ends the Vlad talk. wow, that is a shock.... but doesnt mean the end for Vlad.... depends how much Enc gets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer_fran Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Encarnacion is now expected back. Wow, that's new. I've never heard anything other than Enc. not returning next year. Well, if we do offer him arbitration that pretty much ends the Vlad talk. wow, that is a shock.... but doesnt mean the end for Vlad.... depends how much Enc gets you saying that Encarnacion would be on the bench? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 My gut is giving me a strong feeling Juan will not be back. And if he does come back, it's definate Choi will not be starting for us in 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 no, i am saying he could be moved to a new team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer_fran Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 no, i am saying he could be moved to a new team We'd be taking a big risk don't you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Enc will not be back, our outfield will be Conine, Cabrera, and Pierre without Guerrero and Cabrera Pierre and Guerrero with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 no, i am saying he could be moved to a new team We'd be taking a big risk don't you think. yes, i do. but Enc wont be back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 If he does return. Maybe we can go after Javy then. Pierre Castillo Cabs Lowell Lopez Carny Conine Gonzalez Not a bad lineup. But if we sign him back I dont think he will go anywhere. This is not the NBA where there are sign and trade deals. But in the end I dont think he will be back but you never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnylons Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I am perplexed by Enc being back. I think that may have been a mistype in the article and should read 'not' instead of 'now'. Funny, this is the same thing I do with ancient Greek and Latin texts.... But the idea of Enc being back is too foreign to me. Is it because of Fudge leaving? If that is the case, then why the hub-bub over Vlad? Seems that there is a possible deal going to be made in the future - if we sign Enc, look for him to be moved just like Ramp said. I wouldnt be surprised if we dealt him and say, Redman to another team. But I still think that is a misprint... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I am perplexed by Enc being back. I think that may have been a mistype in the article and should read 'not' instead of 'now'. Funny, this is the same thing I do with ancient Greek and Latin texts.... But the idea of Enc being back is too foreign to me. Is it because of Fudge leaving? If that is the case, then why the hub-bub over Vlad? Seems that there is a possible deal going to be made in the future - if we sign Enc, look for him to be moved just like Ramp said. I wouldnt be surprised if we dealt him and say, Redman to another team. But I still think that is a misprint... Encarnacion won't be back unless something wierd happens, he just costs to much for the team. thats where Vlad comes in with creative contract number two on the offseason for the Mahlins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 oh god no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I am perplexed by Enc being back. I think that may have been a mistype in the article and should read 'not' instead of 'now'. Funny, this is the same thing I do with ancient Greek and Latin texts.... But the idea of Enc being back is too foreign to me. Is it because of Fudge leaving? If that is the case, then why the hub-bub over Vlad? Seems that there is a possible deal going to be made in the future - if we sign Enc, look for him to be moved just like Ramp said. I wouldnt be surprised if we dealt him and say, Redman to another team. But I still think that is a misprint... That's the only way this make sense. Encarnacion isn't coming back if he goes through arbitration, but maybe this means that Choi is not our first-baseman next year; Conine's job to lose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 oh god no. for once i agree.... he is below the league avg for OFer(sabr wise) and he wont do well here in the PRO although, i think he will have a monster year in 2004, wherever he plays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnylons Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I am perplexed by Enc being back. I think that may have been a mistype in the article and should read 'not' instead of 'now'. Funny, this is the same thing I do with ancient Greek and Latin texts.... But the idea of Enc being back is too foreign to me. Is it because of Fudge leaving? If that is the case, then why the hub-bub over Vlad? Seems that there is a possible deal going to be made in the future - if we sign Enc, look for him to be moved just like Ramp said. I wouldnt be surprised if we dealt him and say, Redman to another team. But I still think that is a misprint... Encarnacion won't be back unless something wierd happens, he just costs to much for the team. thats where Vlad comes in with creative contract number two on the offseason for the Mahlins. Fish, I think Enc wont be back not because he costs too much, but because the market is saturated with better talent or at least better value. Guillen for example is cheaper. Vlad, well, he is one of the best in the game. If you have a chance to get a player like that, you do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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