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Beckett not upset by taking pay cut

 

By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 3, 2004

 

 

 

JUPITER -- Right-hander Josh Beckett, the Most Valuable Player of the World Series, will get a pay cut this season, but he isn't complaining.

 

"I'm just happy to get paid to play baseball. I'm way overpaid for my service time as it is,'' Beckett said Tuesday after the Marlins signed him to a one-year contract worth $1.509 million.

 

Last year, he made $1.725 million in the final season of a four-year contract worth $7 million that he signed after the Marlins took him with the second overall pick in the June 1999 draft. In 2002, he made $2.156 million.

 

Beckett, who will start Florida's Grapefruit League opener Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, will be eligible for arbitration after the 2004 season.

 

The Marlins also signed left-hander Dontrelle Willis and right fielder Miguel Cabrera, wrapping up contracts for all 39 players on the 40-man roster.

 

Willis will get $353,000 after getting called up in May and finishing 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. Cabrera will get $320,000 after being called up in June and batting.268 with 12 home runs and 62 RBI in 87 games. Both made prorated salaries last season based on the major-league minimum $300,000.

 

Since none of the three players has three years of major-league experience, the Marlins can sign them at no less than 80 percent of what they earned in 2003.

 

Florida's payroll for the 25-man roster stands at $52.677 million, a figure that includes deferred money owed to Pudge Rodriguez and Mike Hampton.

 

A.J. update: Right-hander A.J. Burnett threw his third pain-free bullpen session of the spring Tuesday and could face hitters in batting practice as early as next weekend.

 

Burnett will throw another bullpen session Saturday. Pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said he could throw "an inning or two" of Grapefruit League action this month, depending on the progress of his rehab from Tommy John Surgery.

 

Asked whether he was anxious to pitch batting practice, Burnett said: "I don't think I'm ready yet. I'm very close. I think I need a bullpen (session) or two, then give me a hitter. Give me a couple more, then I'll embarrass the hitter.'''

 

Spring rotation: Beckett will start against the Orioles on Thursday with Brad Penny starting Friday against the Orioles in Jupiter and Darren Oliver following him in relief. Left-hander Dontrelle Willis will pitch Saturday against the Cardinals and Carl Pavano will go Sunday against the Orioles in Jupiter.

 

Today's game against the University of Miami starts at 3:05 p.m. in Jupiter, with the Marlins set to pitch Justin Wayne, Mike Neu, David Manning, Toby Borland, Delvin James and Blaine Neal.

 

The Hurricanes will use aluminum bats, which doesn't concern Florida's pitchers "other than the fact they might get a couple of cheap hits,'' Neal said.

 

joe_capozzi@pbpost.com

Seems pretty damn refreshing. It also seems remarkable just how far the 'luck' of this organization spreads. Look at both Beckett and Willis's attitudes - they are happy with the situation. You got to wonder how much Loria and his people have influenced their good fortune thus far or if they are just plain dumb lucky. This seems to be by design, I imagine...

That's true dedication on Beckett's part. He is appreciative on what he gets paid for, and is happy doing what he does. Some of the other players can get too greedy, but not Beckett. I hope he can maintain that good attitude.

Beckett is saying all the right things now, but he will make them pay for this come arbitration time. You can probably rule out any home team discount, either when FA time starts to come around. Mark my words. They should've at least given him a small raise to show him some appreciation for pretty much risking his arm to pitch the team to the Series.

Beckett is saying all the right things now, but he will make them pay for this come arbitration time. You can probably rule out any home team discount, either when FA time starts to come around. Mark my words. They should've at least given him a small raise to show him some appreciation for pretty much risking his arm to pitch the team to the Series.

 

eh - there would be no home-team discount anyhow, and the Marlins know that. home-team discount always sounds good in theory, but when you're at the bargaining table and your home team is offering 5 million and someone else is offering 7 million, loyalty's out the window.

Beckett is saying all the right things now, but he will make them pay for this come arbitration time. You can probably rule out any home team discount, either when FA time starts to come around. Mark my words. They should've at least given him a small raise to show him some appreciation for pretty much risking his arm to pitch the team to the Series.

I agree with you.

 

At least give him the same salary as last year. . .

This is a tough one guys.....

 

It's true that one reason the Marlins have been successful is that they're making the most of their money. Using it where it's needed. Not overpaying.

 

But to save 200 or 300K on arguably your team MVPs is pretty shakey...

eh - there would be no home-team discount anyhow, and the Marlins know that. home-team discount always sounds good in theory, but when you're at the bargaining table and your home team is offering 5 million and someone else is offering 7 million, loyalty's out the window.

 

Tell that to Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, Griffey, Jr., Jason Giambi, and Craig Biggio. I'll admit, it's rare, but it does happen if the organization fosters a good relationship with the player and shows commitment to winning. That possibility with Beckett has just gone out of the window.

Florida's payroll for the 25-man roster stands at $52.677 million, a figure that includes deferred money owed to Pudge Rodriguez and Mike Hampton.

unbelievable.

 

we were expecting an opening day salary in the $60 million range--$65 million on the high end and $55 million on the low end. i guess we were all wrong.

 

it's true that beckett was overpaid for his service time to begin with and has been injury-prone, and it's true that 20 and 21 year olds (cabs & d train) shouldn't typically command much more than the league minimum, but i really can't accept this move considering how valuable the three of these guys were in our winning the world series. isn't it in our best interests to appease these guys with a little extra chump change now so we can count on their loyalty in the future?

 

we had no problem seriously overpaying on penny's and pavano's contracts, but now we go for some small savings with these guys?

 

again, i understand the rationale behind their new salary numbers, but i'm very surprised that the team didn't decide to show some sort of goodwill to the very same kids who helped save this franchise and who we are counting on to carry the team in the future.

 

i sure hope $400,000 doesn't come back to haunt us.

yep.

 

& Sampson's point that for example Cabrera got some incentive bonuses to last years contract as a reason not to give him much of a raise this year is weak.

 

so let's see.... if i have a great season & reach my incentive bonuses, then next season I won't get as high a salary because I just got some incentive bonuses? what's the point of an incentive bonus if it just cancels out over time?

 

alk, i would think the payroll will at least barely reach 55 million after all the bullpen & bench guys are signed....

exactly

 

Don't nickle and dime with the future of this organization.

 

I'm pissed about Scott Boras being the agent of Cabrera.

yep.

 

& Sampson's point that for example Cabrera got some incentive bonuses to last years contract as a reason not to give him much of a raise this year is weak.

 

so let's see.... if i have a great season & reach my incentive bonuses, then next season I won't get as high a salary because I just got some incentive bonuses? what's the point of an incentive bonus if it just cancels out over time?

 

alk, i would think the payroll will at least barely reach 55 million after all the bullpen & bench guys are signed....

:marlins They are just keeping their powder dry. For moves yet to come.

I'm pissed about Scott Boras being the agent of Cabrera.

NOOOOO :censored

I'm pissed about Scott Boras being the agent of Cabrera.

NOOOOO :censored Are you facking serious? :mad :

alk, i would think the payroll will at least barely reach 55 million after all the bullpen & bench guys are signed....

I believe all players for the 40 man roster are now signed.

exactly

 

Don't nickle and dime with the future of this organization.

 

I'm pissed about Scott Boras being the agent of Cabrera.

Are you sure about this? I don't believe that Cabrera has an agent, I'm pretty sure everything so far has been negotiated by his family...

alk, i would think the payroll will at least barely reach 55 million after all the bullpen & bench guys are signed....

I believe all players for the 40 man roster are now signed. ayup... from the jackson/baxter article in the herald:

 

With Tuesday's three signings, all 39 Marlins in training camp are now under contract.

Look, dont be so quick (you know who you are!) to characterize Loria & Co. as cheapskates. First of all, Beckett has made $7M and has only, what, 17 career wins? Cabs and Willis both got raises, minimal, but still got raises. I believe that Cabs even got paid the whole amount of the league minimum ($300K) despite only playing a little over half a season. Willis, also, didnt play a whole season.

 

But let me throw something out there. Let us suppose that Beckett, and even Cabs and Willis, know something of the impending future. Meaning, they have been clued in on the stadium details and with the understanding that if something gets done, they will be set. If we get a stadium, this franchise makes a huge leap forward. I think there may be more to this story...but then again, maybe not.