I think that Jeffery Loria and Admin Beinfest have something up there sleeves... They are now saying they are not after "Big Names". I think he might be saying that so when he signs either Raul Mondesi, Greg Maddux, and/or Vlad Guerrero and bring in Jason Kendall in a trade, it can be a surprise to the people.. But hey that just me :mischief2

 

 

 

Beinfest: Not going after big names now

When it comes to making blockbuster moves, the World Series champions are sitting chilly.

 

General manager Admin Beinfest said Wednesday the Marlins have no intentions at present of signing a high-profile player to supplement the roster -- despite reports everyone from Vladimir Guerrero to Greg Maddux might be ripe for the picking.

 

Free agent outfielder Raul Mondesi told a Puerto Rican newspaper he is close to a deal with the Marlins. But a league source said Wednesday there is no truth to that statement.

 

''There are still some players out there that are of some interest to us,'' Beinfest said. ``But I think affordability is going to be a major factor for us. I was given budget parameters [from owner Jeffrey Loria]. If you're talking about a big-ticket item, that's not something I've been authorized to do. We're talking about support positions at this point.''

 

In particular, the Marlins are looking for bullpen and backup position help. They recently signed Damion Easley, 34, who had three consecutive years of 20 or more home runs with the Detroit Tigers in the late 1990s, to a minor-league contract.

 

Easley is on the downswing after fizzling with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last season, and he would be considered as nothing more than a backup utility infielder who could take the place of Andy Fox.

 

Their bullpen remains precariously thin despite the signings of Armando Benitez and Chad Fox. Gone are dual closers Braden Looper, who signed Monday with the New York Mets, and Ugueth Urbina, who remains a free agent.

 

''I'd say right now that we'll continue to monitor the pitching that may be available out there, and there's probably an opportunity still there on the bench, whether it's the utility infielder or extra outfielder to go along with Brian Banks or Abraham Nu?ez,'' Beinfest said.

 

The Marlins are committed to spending about $50 million on next year's roster -- or, about what last year's roster ended up costing at the beginning of the season.

 

Last January, the Marlins shelled out $9.3 million -- most of it deferred -- to reel in catcher Ivan Rodriguez. A team source said Wednesday the Rodriguez signing was a ``one-time deal.''

 

Link

I rather doubt it.

 

I believe the Marlins see the handwriting on the wall (regarding any chance of pursuing a workable stadium plan) and with no chance of generating revenue in the next few years are cutting back so to minimize their losses. Unless a stadium plan comes together in the next 60 days I expect payroll to hover around $50-60 million for years to come.

Mondesi should NOT be considered a big name player

Marlins2003 is obviously right. I think the Marlins are trying to keep expectations down as far as roster moves go because it would be PR suicide to make promises that they couldnt or shouldnt deliver on. The Marlins, right now, do not have the money.

 

Ramp, it is sad that MOndesi is a big name player, I agree. But I dont think he is percieved that way to the Marlins FO - they were just trying to quelch the report (in Spanish) that Mondesi was going to sign with the Marlins. But the question is, why would Raul say that and if true, why would the Marlins deny it? Very strange this whole situation...

I agree Marlins2003, the stadium deal being as shaky as it is appears to have handcuffed the FO. Considering ANY big name marquee player signing would involve a stadium tie-in with his contract. That could already backfire with Lowell (lets hope not) and I don't think they want more people walking just because the stadium plans fall apart.

I agree Marlins2003, the stadium deal being as shaky as it is appears to have handcuffed the FO. Considering ANY big name marquee player signing would involve a stadium tie-in with his contract. That could already backfire with Lowell (lets hope not) and I don't think they want more people walking just because the stadium plans fall apart.

Well, if the stadium falls apart, the Florida Marlins don't exist any more. End of story, they'll end up in DC or Portland before they settle for the Pro. Really sad if that happens.

 

 

Also, I do agree that Beinfest is doing the "we're not interested" thing to take media scrutiny off of him; Scheurholz of the Braves works in a very similar fashion. GM's hate it when papers map out their moves for other GM's to see. I'm not expecting Vlad or Maddux or Kendall, but I won't be surprised if any of them show up in teal next year . My bet is we get Sauerbeck and Raffy because it's easier to negotiate 2 year deals with them than it is to assume Kendall's contract or Vlad's long term demands.

Raffy is about 2 steps from being an O

 

Baltimore also is close to an agreement to re-sign first basman Rafael Palmeiro, The Sun reported. Palmeiro hit 214 home runs between 1994 and 1998. The 39-year-old free agent, who has 528 career homers, played the last five seasons for the Texas Rangers.

-espn.com

I also have a feeling that something big will happen before we go into Spring Training but logically I dont think it will happen. I hope it does though.

Raffy is about 2 steps from being an O

 

Baltimore also is close to an agreement to re-sign first basman Rafael Palmeiro, The Sun reported. Palmeiro hit 214 home runs between 1994 and 1998. The 39-year-old free agent, who has 528 career homers, played the last five seasons for the Texas Rangers.

-espn.com

Well, I'll be damned. I know they'll still try to get Vlad, but common sense says that Jay Gibbons is now wasted with Raffy/Vlad coming in, and they still don't have a single above average pitcher on their roster.