Posted March 3, 200420 yr Here is the article as it appears in the Herald: Marlins, young trio agree While disappointed, Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett choose to re-sign with the Marlins. BY BARRY JACKSON AND KEVIN BAXTER [email protected] JUPITER - The Marlins, as expected, renewed the contracts of outfielder Miguel Cabrera and pitchers Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett on Tuesday. But not for as much as the players had hoped and, in the case of Beckett, for less than he received last year. For the second consecutive year, the team cut Beckett's salary by the maximum. For 2004, his pay was cut $216,000 to $1.509 million. The 23-year-old right-hander, the World Series MVP, made $1.725 million last year. Cabrera and Willis, the National League rookie of the year, received just small raises with Cabrera getting $320,000 and Willis $353,000. Both earned the big-league minimum of $300,000 last season. Agents for two of three players said their clients, while disappointed, were not upset. ''Josh understands it's a business,'' said Michael Moye, Beckett's agent. Matt Sosnick, Willis' agent, said he would advise the pitcher not to sign the contract in protest but said ``Willis knows it's business.'' Scott Boras, the agent for Cabrera, did not return calls seeking comment. Beckett received a four-year, $7 million contract when he was drafted while his 2003 salary was among the highest for a drafted player with just seven months of major-league experience. That figured in the Marlins' decision to cut his pay, said team president David Samson, just as performance bonuses paid to Cabrera and Willis last season impacted the Marlins' decision to limit their raises. ''We have a set policy for our two- to three-year players who are under our control,'' said Samson, who can renew all three contracts whether the players sign. ``Our system rewards performance, and we felt that Dontrelle and Miguel were rewarded for their performance last year.'' According to the collective bargaining agreement, players with less than three years in the big leagues are under the control of the club, meaning their contracts can be renewed unilaterally for no less than 80 percent of what the player earned the year before. Players with three to six years of experience are eligible for arbitration. And players with six or more years experience can opt for free agency. Beckett is eligible for arbitration after this season. ''As soon as a player becomes eligible for arbitration, the system changes in their favor,'' Samson said. Other clubs have taken different tacts with their young players, however. The Cardinals tripled Albert Pujols' salary after his rookie year then gave him a $300,000 raise -- to $900,000 last year -- although they could have renewed his contract for much less. And the Brewers are reportedly talking to Scott Podsednik, the runner-up to Willis in rookie of the year voting, about a multiyear deal that could pay him more than $1 million annually. With Tuesday's three signings, all 39 Marlins in training camp are now under contract. Now the question is, in conjunction with the Berardino article, did the Marlins make a mistake here?
March 3, 200420 yr Author The thing that frightens me the most about this situation (and its future potential): Scott Boras, the agent for Cabrera, did not return calls seeking comment. I am not thrilled with this situation. We could have shelled out a little more money and been generous at the start here. Granted, Willis and Cabs are not guarenteed success, but a little generosity goes a long way. That said, according to Berardino's article, Willis does not seem to have any ill-will towards the FO. Hopefully when the time comes to negotiate a new deal, the Marlins will be able to get around this. If so, they certainly fix themselves as the best FO in terms of maximizing value. But a lot of the Marlins future, needless to say, hinges on a new stadium.
March 3, 200420 yr Now the question is, in conjunction with the Berardino article, did the Marlins make a mistake here? With Willis and Cabrera - no. With Beckett - absolutely.
March 3, 200420 yr Author I am not so sure with Beckett. Even he admits (diplomatically?) that he has been making money without putting up the numbers. He has recently completed a 4 year, $7M deal. And he has only what, 17 career wins to show for it? WS MVP aside, that is pretty good thus far for him. Figuring in interest, he is set for life already. At this point, it is all gravy...I think his comments about this not being a big deal are legit.
March 3, 200420 yr I am not so sure with Beckett. Even he admits (diplomatically?) that he has been making money without putting up the numbers. He has recently completed a 4 year, $7M deal. And he has only what, 17 career wins to show for it? WS MVP aside, that is pretty good thus far for him. Figuring in interest, he is set for life already. At this point, it is all gravy...I think his comments about this not being a big deal are legit. You can't fight human nature. Sure making $1+ plus to play baseball is great, but how could it possibly feel good to nearly risk his career for the good of the team and then the team turns around and cuts his pay? I don't think anyone here would feel good if they went through a 4-month stretch at their job, busting their butts, putting in 70-hour weeks to make sure a project went out on time, and within budget and then have the company respond by cutting your pay at review time.
March 3, 200420 yr SH-T! cabrera's agent is boras.... this sucks cabrera is going to turn into a greedy fu.k
March 3, 200420 yr SH-T! cabrera's agent is boras.... this sucks cabrera is going to turn into a greedy fu.k man - the Devil Rays, Tigers, and Brewers must be licking their lips imagining signing Cabs to a 10 year, $200 million dollar deal 5 years from now....
March 3, 200420 yr SH-T! cabrera's agent is boras.... this sucks cabrera is going to turn into a greedy fu.k man - the Devil Rays, Tigers, and Brewers must be licking their lips imagining signing Cabs to a 10 year, $200 million dollar deal 5 years from now.... since when do the Brewers and DRays spend money?
March 3, 200420 yr Guys, players change agents faster than they do uniforms, just look at Castillo. I think the Marlins did right, the players aren't greedy, but they are hungry. If Cabs does well this year, he will have the long term deal with the Marlins ready for him.
March 3, 200420 yr Author I am not so sure with Beckett.? Even he admits (diplomatically?) that he has been making money without putting up the numbers.? He has recently completed a 4 year, $7M deal.? And he has only what, 17 career wins to show for it?? WS MVP aside, that is pretty good thus far for him.? Figuring in interest, he is set for life already.? At this point, it is all gravy...I think his comments about this not being a big deal are legit. You can't fight human nature. Sure making $1+ plus to play baseball is great, but how could it possibly feel good to nearly risk his career for the good of the team and then the team turns around and cuts his pay? I don't think anyone here would feel good if they went through a 4-month stretch at their job, busting their butts, putting in 70-hour weeks to make sure a project went out on time, and within budget and then have the company respond by cutting your pay at review time. Um, if that same company grossly overpaid to hire me in the first place - and I worked about 50% of the time total before that for significant pay - yeah, I would find it hard to harbor any ill will. I am glad Beckett is taking the high road here - either intended or not. He will get his money. I find it unbelievable how some can start feeling sorry for these players...c'mon! :lol
March 4, 200420 yr Um, if that same company grossly overpaid to hire me in the first place - and I worked about 50% of the time total before that for significant pay - yeah, I would find it hard to harbor any ill will. I am glad Beckett is taking the high road here - either intended or not. He will get his money. I find it unbelievable how some can start feeling sorry for these players...c'mon! :lol Do you think he's grossly overpaid relative to his peers? Do you think that Beckett would only make $1.5 million on the FA market? I'm not saying that I feel sorry for the guy, I just know most people would be pissed if they worked their asses off and then got a pay cut for it. It's also not like he's missed a ton of starts. He still started 23 games last year, and he wouldn't have missed that time if it wasn't for him trying to gut out pain the previous year to help the club.
March 4, 200420 yr SH-T! cabrera's agent is boras.... this sucks cabrera is going to turn into a greedy fu.k Marlins outfielder Miguel Cabrera has dropped Scot Boras as his agent after a little more than 6 months and returned to the firm of Reich, Katz, & Landis. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins
March 4, 200420 yr They are making enough money for what they do. I'm glad Beckett didn't make a big deal out of it....... Thinking about that now, reminds me of Pudge, the fudgepacker. Pudge wa very greedy. It's nice to know that some of our players don't think that way.......so far.
March 4, 200420 yr They are making enough money for what they do. I'm glad Beckett didn't make a big deal out of it....... Thinking about that now, reminds me of Pudge, the fudgepacker. Pudge wa very greedy. It's nice to know that some of our players don't think that way.......so far. What makes Pudge greedy? What the Marlins offered him was a pay cut. Who here would turn down a nearly guaranteed $40 million over a shaky $24 or so million just to play in S. Florida 5 months out of the year? Losing sucks, but it can't be better than constantly kicking yourself for turning down $15 - $16 million dollars when your career is winding down.
March 4, 200420 yr Author They are making enough money for what they do. I'm glad Beckett didn't make a big deal out of it....... Thinking about that now, reminds me of Pudge, the fudgepacker. Pudge wa very greedy. It's nice to know that some of our players don't think that way.......so far. What makes Pudge greedy? What the Marlins offered him was a pay cut. Who here would turn down a nearly guaranteed $40 million over a shaky $24 or so million just to play in S. Florida 5 months out of the year? Losing sucks, but it can't be better than constantly kicking yourself for turning down $15 - $16 million dollars when your career is winding down. You're obviously bitter. No one would turn down a guranteed $40M, but Fudge DIDNT HAVE such a contract in place. He had to force it out of someone. Fine. Enjoy Detroit, and enjoy losing. Like Princess Leia said to Han Solo, "if money is all that you want...". But Fudge is more of a diminutive Wookie... And as for Beckett, considering his production thus far, YES, he has been grossly overpaid. He has 273 career IP, and is 17-17. Sorry, but that is a little over a season's worth of PT, and he got paid $7M. He only sustained a $200K pay cut. Sure, it is a pay cut. Sure, it would be nice if the Marlins gave him a big raise. But it doesnt seem to bother him, and he also has admitted he has been overrpaid to this point. It is a FACT that he has made MORE than any player his age to this point. So please, take your bitter opinion elsewhere. He will get the big money.
March 4, 200420 yr Guys, players change agents faster than they do uniforms, just look at Castillo. I think the Marlins did right, the players aren't greedy, but they are hungry. If Cabs does well this year, he will have the long term deal with the Marlins ready for him. Why are you such a homer? Boras being Cabs agen is some bad news.
March 4, 200420 yr Do you think he's grossly overpaid relative to his peers? Do you think that Beckett would only make $1.5 million on the FA market? hello?! beckett should have been making 350,000 like willis and cabs cause it was his second year of service time!! even now hes still overpaid with the 1.5 with that service time.. LOL even pujols made 600,000 last year LOL and gagne made 500,000 last year! com'on are ya saying that beckett should have been paid 1.75 million and pujols and gagne 1 million less? because all 3 have about the same service time and beckett has the worst stats guy.
March 4, 200420 yr Author Do you think he's grossly overpaid relative to his peers?? Do you think that Beckett would only make $1.5 million on the FA market? hello?! beckett should have been making 350,000 like willis and cabs cause it was his second year of service time!! even now hes still overpaid with the 1.5 with that service time.. LOL even pujols made 600,000 last year LOL and gagne made 500,000 last year! com'on are ya saying that beckett should have been paid 1.75 million and pujols and gagne 1 million less? because all 3 have about the same service time and beckett has the worst stats guy. Good point. And of course, it supports my argument. I just think Fish Fry is down on the ownership of this franchise. But I didnt realize Pujols was only making 600K. I think people have lost sight of the fact that both Beckett and Cabs had big bonuses given to them just for signing with us.
March 5, 200420 yr Cabrera and Willis - No. This is the fourth story I've read and each one has stated that Cabrera and Willis made $300K last year. That is incorrect. Each made something closer to $200K because they did not play a full season in the majors. Beckett - No. For a team on a budget the worse investment you can make is for a player on the DL. Josh will be rewarded for staying healthy and pitching like we all know he can. If Mike Berardino and others think this is a tragedy they should have followed the Orioles in the late 90's with how they treated BJ Surhoff, Mike Mussina, Raffy and others. And they got sky box money, and full shares of concessions and parking!
March 6, 200420 yr Guys, players change agents faster than they do uniforms, just look at Castillo. I think the Marlins did right, the players aren't greedy, but they are hungry. If Cabs does well this year, he will have the long term deal with the Marlins ready for him. Why are you such a homer? Boras being Cabs agen is some bad news. Read a report yesterday that said Cabrera just dumped Boras.
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